Weird puncture location

[ct biker]

I have a american classic terrain 650 B wheelset. My rear tyre is a maxxis ardent 2.25. Yesterday I got my 4th puncture right where the sidewall meets the rim. I have never had these sort of punctures before. The wheelset is only a few months old and not damaged as far as I can tell.  I have 2 punctures on the drive side and 2 on the non-drive side. Any ideas on how/why I am getting these? No punctures on my front tyre (spez buthcher grid). Usually run the tyres at anywhere from 1.5 to 2 bar. The punctures seal well with plugs but it just seems like a very weird location to me.

[fanievb]

maybe your pressure is too low

[CJ Van]

I have a american classic terrain 650 B wheelset. My rear tyre is a maxxis ardent 2.25. Yesterday I got my 4th puncture right where the sidewall meets the rim. I have never had these sort of punctures before. The wheelset is only a few months old and not damaged as far as I can tell.  I have 2 punctures on the drive side and 2 on the non-drive side. Any ideas on how/why I am getting these? No punctures on my front tyre (spez buthcher grid). Usually run the tyres at anywhere from 1.5 to 2 bar. The punctures seal well with plugs but it just seems like a very weird location to me.

That will most probably be snake bites.  Check your tyre pressure.  Running to low tyre pressure and hitting rocks with your back tyre against the rim could cause this problem.

[ct biker]

Maybe it is the pressure. Should I be running tubeless at more than 2 bar? I never had these sort of punctures with my previous bike (26er, maxxis minion dhr and el cheepo rim). Thinking it may be related to the tyre? Would a snake bite only happen on one side of the rim at a time ie not 2 punctures simultaneously opposite each other on both sides of the rim?

[s14phoenix]

Unless its tyre degradation your pressure on the rear is too low. Depending on your weight and terrain you would need at least 0.2 bar increase. if it was les frequent I would say 0.1 but it sounds like you are way low.

 

It could also be a difference in the tyre casing - if the tyre is thinner than previous tyres used.

 

What is your weight? Is the tyre a high volume casing?

 

I have heard of some guys going 2.2 or 2.4 bar on the rear if it is the narrower kind or they are heavier gents.

[s14phoenix]

if there is no issue with the rim in these areas it could only be snakebite.

[ct biker]

Cool. Thanks everyone. I'll up my pressure and see what happens

[Eldron]

Yeah sounds like you're hitting the rim on rocks/hard stuff and making mini tears in the tyre.

 

A very very rough guide to tyre pressure is 2 bar for 80kg - extrapolate directly for weight.

 

I run Ardents on my training bike and have never had an issue with punctures at the rim. I'm 85kg and run 1.9 bar - lower than the advice above but I like to think I'm a smooth/light rider :-)  Plus I ride mostly in non rocky terrain - I bump up the pressure a bit if there are jagged rocks around.

[ct biker]

I'm 75 kg. I do ride a lot on rocky stuff, so I guess increasing tyre pressure is the solution. I am also riding a hard tail where as previously I was on a dual suss, so the shock probably helped absorb some of the force of the hits. 

[Eldron]

Duallies make you lazy :-)

 

Best way to keep your skills sharp is a rigid hardtail - that'll punish you chop chop if you get sloppy!

[Wet Ears]

Front Tire

Maxxis Minion DHF Exo 3c; 29x2.3

Rear Tire

Maxxis Ardent Race Exo; 29x2.35

 

Any recommendations iro tyre pressure for above tyres - clocking in at 110kg

[Yusran]

Front Tire

Maxxis Minion DHF Exo 3c; 29x2.3

Rear Tire

Maxxis Ardent Race Exo; 29x2.35

 

Any recommendations iro tyre pressure for above tyres - clocking in at 110kg

 

Can't comment on the above tyres, but will share my specs with you for my usual riding (Tokai / Jonkershoek)

 

Rider weight: 100.0kgs

Bike weight: around 14kgs (Niner RIP 9)

 

Trail Day

Front tyre: Maxxis Ardent LUST 29x2.25" @ 2.0bar

Rear tyre: Maxxis Crossmark LUST 20x2.1" @ 2.3bar

 

Sometimes I let a few pssts of air out of the tyres on hot afternoons, and when I get home the pressures are Front @ 1.7bar and Rear @ 2.0bar, but generally the above works for me as my go-to all round pressure. I'm a cautious rider, but ride abusively when feeling confident and know the trails abit better.

 

For your weight and tyre size & volume I'd stick around similar pressures to what I'm running depending on terrain/ride style etc.

[Grease_Monkey]

Tyre pressure issues seem unlikely. I am 110kg, with Onza Canis and Ibex Combo on a Spez Stumpjumper at 1.6 bar at the front and 1.8 bar at the back. 30mm internal width rims. I ride very rocky terrain (Hakahana), I'm not careful in rock gardens and I no issues whatsoever with punctures.

 

Maybe that specific tyre has just degraded at the sidewall or has some sort of manufacturing issue - it does happen from time to time.

[ct biker]

Can anyone tell me the difference between the maxxis minion exo and dd? Basically I'm looking for the strongest/most durable tyre. Not really concerned about the weight.

[ct biker]

Tyre pressure issues seem unlikely. I am 110kg, with Onza Canis and Ibex Combo on a Spez Stumpjumper at 1.6 bar at the front and 1.8 bar at the back. 30mm internal width rims. I ride very rocky terrain (Hakahana), I'm not careful in rock gardens and I no issues whatsoever with punctures.

 

Maybe that specific tyre is just degraded at the sidewall or have some sort of manufacturing issue - it does happen from time to time.

Hey Grease_Monkey, that is what I thought. I will ride at a higher pressure though just to rule that low pressure out. 

[Glenmx]

I have a american classic terrain 650 B wheelset. My rear tyre is a maxxis ardent 2.25. Yesterday I got my 4th puncture right where the sidewall meets the rim. I have never had these sort of punctures before. The wheelset is only a few months old and not damaged as far as I can tell.  I have 2 punctures on the drive side and 2 on the non-drive side. Any ideas on how/why I am getting these? No punctures on my front tyre (spez buthcher grid). Usually run the tyres at anywhere from 1.5 to 2 bar. The punctures seal well with plugs but it just seems like a very weird location to me.

It is definitely a snakebite from hitting the rim. They are very difficult to repair. If you plug it will hold while the bike isn't moving. As soon as you ride I'm pretty sure the rim moving on the plug causes it to lose pressure and you end up with another snake bite due to the decreased pressure. If its happened 4x just suck it up and toss the tyre in the bin and replace with a new one.