First Ride - Front Tire Explosion

[G_Money]

Welp ... Horse poopay I’m bummed.

First day on my new Level and at mile 9 I had a front tire tube explosion. It sounded like a gun shot!! Never had a tube explode. It was crazy!!

I filled out a warranty claim on Aventon’s site and had a very nice phone conversation with a CSR. Will be receiving a new front wheel assembly. I hoped and begged for them to expedite the shipment rather than just regular ground snail mail. They stated that their hands are somewhat tied with their warehouse getting it out within a day or two - which I can totally accept. I just hope and pray that once it leaves their warehouse that it is overnight or 2nd day air. I even said that I’d pay for the rush FedEx or UPS service. They stated that they will do what they can do and seemed concerned and genuine. I don’t mind paying out of my own pocket for the expedited shipment - and I offered to pay for it. I just want to ride my brand new bike.

That blowout experience will surely get the pucker factor up above where I like to experience. Not only did it warp the rim, it also did a number on the fender that I think I can straighten out. The rim is toast though.

Super duper customer service!!! I just hope with all my heart it’s shipped as quickly as possible from Ontario, CA to Tampa, FL.

 

[J.R.]

Not an indictment of the brand, but the only odd blowout of a tire in my many decades of cycling was with a Kenda. Specifically a Kenda Kourier with K Shield (kevlar). After about 700 miles. Riding my regular bike on a rail trail, never exceeding 16+/- mph and the tire completely exploded. The tire was inflated to the middle of the range, the weight was way under the max and the trail was smooth, groomed and packed. I could see and feel a bulge about the size of a golf ball and it just exploded. No way to repair that.

That was 8 years ago. I didn't get any satisfaction from the brand or shop where I bought it. I haven't purchased Kenda since.

 

[Deacon Blues]

That was a hell of a blowout to toast the rim and fender!
I was riding behind someone on a group ride (carbon road bike with skinny, high PSI tires) when his back tire blew. It sounded like a loud gun shot and made my heart jump a few beats.

 

[gtpharr]

What is stopping you from putting in a new tube and riding it until the new wheel is received?

 

[G_Money]

What is stopping you from putting in a new tube and riding it until the new wheel is received?

 

[G_Money]

Aventon is shipping 2nd day air, but due to it being the holiday weekend I’m unsure when it will arrive

 

[Key West Rick]

That’s a real bummer! Sorry to hear about it! Hope they deliver your new wheel so so you can get back out there.
keep us posted.

KWR

 

[Tom@WashDC]

Glad to hear the service dept. treated you well. I have had excellent experience with Aventon service.

 

[G_Money]

That’s a real bummer! Sorry to hear about it! Hope they deliver your new wheel so so you can get back out there.
keep us posted.

KWR

Yes Jessica went above and beyond for me. I have nothing but excellent things to say about Aventon’s customer service. Exemplary!!

 

[Luto]

That is an amazing blow out! Did it go on the tube seam?

 

[G_Money]

That is an amazing blow out! Did it go on the tube seam?

Not from what I could tell.

 

[Deacon Blues]

I just watched a video on new run flat inserts by Vittoria.

I've run tubeless on my road bike and plan on replacing my tires this year. Even though this tubeless kit isn't cheap I may buy and install a pair when I replace my tires. Blowouts will be a thing of the past with these inserts and to be able to continue to ride, all be it at a slower pace, after if my tire goes flat is a big plus.

 

[AHicks]

I've done that, but it was while filling a tire after a tire change. The tire bead wasn't centered properly, and came off the rim - with a bang that I've tried to avoid since! Wowee! Anyway, that's my bet. The tire was installed in a manner that let the bead release.

Moving forward, a new tube (cheap, available anywhere) will let you ride for the weekend at least. Pick up some Slime while you're at it to prevent any further issues pretty much.....

 

[G_Money]

I’ve got these tubes on the way and have Tannus Armour inserts coming as well. I hear the tire inserts are a blast to install

Kenda eBike Tubes

 

[Jack Straw Too]

Just got 2 new Aventon Pace 500's - We were less than 3 miles from home when I heard a loud blast, when I stopped and turned around my girlfriend was on the ground, her front tire tube exploded. The dealer put anew tube in, said they checked it all out and everything seemed fine. We did do over 20 miles yesterday. They said the rim and tire were OK. I have asked Aventon if the rim and tire should be replaced as a precaution, waiting to hear back. Your thoughts?

 

[AHicks]

The rim and tire are likely fine. I hope your girlfriend is as well.

When airing up a tire that's flat, nearly flat, or for the first time after changing a tube or the tire, it's important to make sure the tire is centered on the rim. Don't take that for granted! If you look closely, there's nearly always a tiny ring molded into the tire sidewall near the rim. You have to make sure that ring is the same distance from the rim all the way around prior to inflating it with over 5 or 10 psi of air pressure. Otherwise, you risk having another explosion as the tire and rim separate as the tube is blown to smithereens. Most people only let that happen one time..... It's a BIG explosion when it happens just a couple feet from your face, but I've never met anyone that's really been hurt - shy of having their wits scared out of them.

Congrats on the new bikes!

 

[Jack Straw Too]

Thank you for your reply! There were just a couple scratches from the fall, thank goodness!

 

[Jason Knight]

Thank you for your reply! There were just a couple scratches from the fall, thank goodness!

EVERY time I see someone go down, I have flashbacks to back in the late '90's when I completely shattered my right elbow. From an inch above the elbow to two inches below has been replaced with metal parts.

Good to hear only minor scrapes and bruises. This is why as much as my upbringing makes me want to point at people wearing safety gear and laugh, I've been armoring up.

That is a horrifying blowout and very similar to something that happened on my cruiser (cheap Micargi Tahiti NX3) a year and a half ago. I had swapped the tube out of my ex's ride to go buy a new one and it didn't even make it to Wally World without popping. It's why I've been buying the Slime branded and filled ones as their manufacturing quality seems a hair better. Even if I did have one where something -- the slime maybe -- melted the rubber into the shrader.

What scares me is I've seen a number of people locally have similar issues and it seems to be common now to 26x2.125's. One section seems to expand to golf ball or even tennis ball sized, and then pop. I'm wondering if it's a fault with a specific brand, or if they're cutting corners trying to make thinner tubes, an issue in the supply chain for rubber...

It's starting to feel like a pattern.

 

[AHicks]

EVERY time I see someone go down, I have flashbacks to back in the late '90's when I completely shattered my right elbow. From an inch above the elbow to two inches below has been replaced with metal parts.

Good to hear only minor scrapes and bruises. This is why as much as my upbringing makes me want to point at people wearing safety gear and laugh, I've been armoring up.

That is a horrifying blowout and very similar to something that happened on my cruiser (cheap Micargi Tahiti NX3) a year and a half ago. I had swapped the tube out of my ex's ride to go buy a new one and it didn't even make it to Wally World without popping. It's why I've been buying the Slime branded and filled ones as their manufacturing quality seems a hair better. Even if I did have one where something -- the slime maybe -- melted the rubber into the shrader.

What scares me is I've seen a number of people locally have similar issues and it seems to be common now to 26x2.125's. One section seems to expand to golf ball or even tennis ball sized, and then pop. I'm wondering if it's a fault with a specific brand, or if they're cutting corners trying to make thinner tubes, an issue in the supply chain for rubber...

It's starting to feel like a pattern.

It's about inexperience. Once it happens to you, and you understand what happened, it's kinda like a dog burning it's nose. That only happens one time!

 

[Jason Knight]

It's about inexperience. Once it happens to you, and you understand what happened, it's kinda like a dog burning it's nose. That only happens one time!

There is a lot of "it could never happen to me" out there. In some ways I feel like society is built around conditioning us for that with the whole "blame the victim" mentality whenever something bad happens to "other people."It's part of maintaining the illusion that it couldn't happen.

"Because I'm a good rider", "because I pay attention", "because I spent the first 20+ years of my life riding without a helmet". Simple fact is bad things could happen to any of us at any time. That's a harsh truth that's hard for many people to face.

So as Carlin would say, we BS ourselves.