inner tube slippage

[gurp13]

So, I've been riding my commuter and yesterday I got a flat. For some reason, my inner tube keeps slipping in the back wheel. The rim bit into the valve stem and there went all the air. I put a new tube in and this time I added baby powder as I heard that some people think that helps when installing a tube. Got to work this morning and the valve stem is leaning forward. I let the air out, straightened it and re-inflated and rode home. At home, valve stem is leaning again.

So, I removed the inner tube and the Mr. Tuffy. I wiped off all the baby powder and re-installed the tube without the Tuffy. Here's what I'm running...

Continental Town and Country 2.1's with thorn resistant tubes (Performance brand). I had the Tuffy in there too, but fear it might be the cause of the slippage. I've never had this problem before. Any suggestions? The rims are drilled for Schraeder valves, so I'm considering picking up some grommets and converting to prestas, thinking that could help solve this problem. I can deal with a flat tire if all I gotta do is patch the tube. But, I don't like having my valve stem cut. That you can't fix.

Any suggestions?

[jruiz]

more air pressure?

[Flat Broke]

Are the tubes you're running spec'd right at the outside of the tire size? I.E. a tube that goes from1.50 to 2.1 in a 2.1 tire? If so, perhaps that could be the problem. I don't run the tuffy strips, but have friends that have used them without this problem, though now that I think about it, they also ran presta valves.

Chris

[dhshuttlemonkey]

Get a road bike and wear some tight neon pink lycra.

[~ Pakiha ~]

I have to agree i think it is the tuffy. I am running the same thing as you but i have prestas and i don't use the tuffy and have never had a valve problem

[gurp13]

Originally Posted by Flat Broke

Are the tubes you're running spec'd right at the outside of the tire size? I.E. a tube that goes from1.50 to 2.1 in a 2.1 tire? If so, perhaps that could be the problem. I don't run the tuffy strips, but have friends that have used them without this problem, though now that I think about it, they also ran presta valves.

Chris

That's a good point. I didn't think it mattered that much because tire sizing is so inconsistent. I checked, though, and my tire is 26x2.1 and the tube is 1.5-2.0. Hmm. I thought that was close enough. I wanted thorn resistant tires 'cause I hate getting flats. Oh well. I guess I will have to get the right size and I can put the tuffys back in.

[CalEpic]

My guess is it's not the tube or tire liner. Are you sure the tire is not slipping on the rim and dragging the tube along with it? You can mark the tire and rim with a line to make sure. If you're only riding it on the road I would run the tire at close to max pressure.

C

[gurp13]

Originally Posted by ~ Pakiha ~

I have to agree i think it is the tuffy. I am running the same thing as you but i have prestas and i don't use the tuffy and have never had a valve problem

I guess I'll try it and see. I'm gonna get regular tubes, but the right size, and put the tuffys back. See how it works.

Originally Posted by CalEpic

My guess is it's not the tube or tire liner. Are you sure the tire is not slipping on the rim and dragging the tube along with it? You can mark the tire and rim with a line to make sure. If you're only riding it on the road I would run the tire at close to max pressure.

C

I'll try marking the rim. As it is, I put the label right by the valve stem. So, it's not slipping a lot, that's for sure. But, I'll make a mark tonight to see. I run them at max pressure. Absolutely. They say 65psi max so I pump them to about 67 or 68 by my floor pump gauge and go with that. No way are they under-inflated. I don't know why the tire would be slipping, though. The brakes are not rubbing. I checked and even moved them a little.

[Flat Broke]

Tire slip happens when the torque required to move the load is more than the torque required to spin the bead on the rim. If you've got dirt/oil/debris between the bead and the rim, it can decrease the grip of the tire on inside of the lip of the rim, or if the tubes truly are the culprit, they are not exerting enough pressure on the tire to lock the bead down to the rim.

Chris

[spookydave]

I'd think you'd have to be a real beast if you could slip the tire on the rim with any kind of air pressure. Not sayin it's not happing.

I can see it now, beadlocks for bike rims.

[Evel Knievel]

This is easy . The solution can be found at the drug store . Its called AquaNet hairspray in an aerosol can.

No baby powder .

Lightly spray the inside of your tire .Put Mr Tuffy in place . lightly spray the Tuffy . Install lightly inflated tube . Seat tire beads . Inflate , and no more slippage .

[gurp13]

Thanks, Evel, I just might try that.

I think the tire *is* actually slipping. I made a mark and it seems to have moved, just slightly. I'm going to try cleaning the rim and then probably use the hairspray. See how that goes. I also ordered a correctly sized tube.

Thanks for the help guys. I really appreciate it.

[spookydave]

Let me get this right.
You are running a tuffy and a thorn tube at the same time? Good golly man why? I do my share of riding back and forth to work also. I just run normal tubes and that's it. Flats just do not seem to be an issue.
You are adding prolly 5 pounds to your bike. And to make it worse you are adding that weight to the worst spot possible.

I'd suggest runing a standard tube and pumping them up to 50 ~ 60 psi.

[dirttorpeedo]

well gurp, daves rite.too much wate,and its overkill.you need slime too....and stans.i run standard tubes and slicks.tubes are presta.the less spensiv the bike the cheaper the rims,tires dont fit well on them.my d/h rims and tires fit tite.my commuter has only had too flats in too yeers.good luk dood.

[gurp13]

Chris, you think the tire's slipping because the tires don't fit well? I never had it happen before. BTW, the tire is definitely moving. Do I need a new tire?

As for the overkill, I know, I know. I'm goofy. I just know that I don't want to be dodging glass and stuff. There's tons of it all over the road. where I'm riding.

Anyway, how do I solve the tire moving? Just clean the rims?

[Pain Freak]

I know your route, and there is a ton of shiat in the street through that area, but you are really going overboard on all that flat protection stuff. I still have a bottle of slime left over from when I was running tubes, you're welcome to it, if that'll help. I'm thinking you'd probably gain anywhere from 2 to 3 mph on your ride to work if you could lighten that wheel weight some.

[gurp13]

It will be lighter, some. I'm getting "regular" tubes that are correctly sized. Should be here Monday. I might try that without the tuffys and see how it goes. But, if I get a flat, the tuffys go back.

2-3mph? Seriously? I'd be booking! 24-28mph to work and 14-18mph uphill home! Hmmm.

Now, I might be getting a bonus in November and might be looking into a new bike, a road bike. Something around $800 with braze-ons for fenders and racks. I think the Spec'd Sequoia is a good bike. Then, I'll really go fast.

[gurp13]

*Update* (in case anyone cares...)

I got regular tubes today. They are sized correctly. I tried cleaning the inside of the rims with some alcohol last night. The tire still moved. Not a lot, but enough. I'm hoping that the correctly sized tubes in there will be the difference. Otherwise, I guess I might have to buy a new tire. Don't know why this would happen.

I haven't tried the hairspray idea because I was under the impression that that solution was in case the tube was moving, but it's not the tube. I've marked the tire twice and it's definitely moving on the rim.