Bizarre tire pressure experience

[elbacalao]

I would love to see if anyone can explain wat was happening with my front tire today. I was on my Multi Strada and I have Dunlop Trailmax Mission tires on. Love them, no problems. My plan today was to ride down the long way to Paso Robles. I had the front tire set at 36 psi. Left this morning and all was well as I rode skyline to 9. As I rode into Boulder Creek I felt some very mild feedback from the handlebars that made me decide to pull over and check the tire. It was fine. 39 psi. I continued on my way and by the time I got into Santa Cruz where 9 hits the 1 the tire was flat. 4psi. I couldnt find a single nail or obvious sign of a rip/tear/damage. I filled the tire up to 34psi and jumped on 1 south. I was feeling a bit of unwanted feedback from the handlebars again so around Capitola, I pulled over to check the tire pressure. 22 psi! Less than 10 miles. So at that point I abandoned the idea of continuing south and figured I would try to nurse the tire back home to San Mateo by going north up Hi1. I planned to stop every 10-15 miles to check and refill the tire. However, I never needed to. I got all the way to Half Moon Bay and was at 32. psi. When I got home it was 32.2psi So what the hell was going on?! It's a mystery to me. Anyone have an idea?

 

[ST Guy]

Possible defective tire valve. Or it could be some dirt or debris in the tire that got in way of the valve seal.

When you are at home and have a means to reinflate your tire, I would remove the valve seal and inspect it for defects.

 

[Pauley]

I have had that happen before: leak that I nursed and it plugged itself before I got home. Frustrating. I feel your pain. Never pinpointed what happened. I replaced the tire and put it behind me.

 

[ThumperX]

Could be tire got hot this increases pressure, unsanitary bead disturbed by increased pressure leading to loss of air. Eventually reseated itself?

 

[Rtmac]

Valve stem core was stuck.

 

[planegray]

Valve stem core was stuck.

My best guess also

I would definitely inflate the front tire to the maximum and use some soap spray and check it out very carefully

 

[CDONA]

I'm thinking a grain of sand was installed in your valve core @ your pressure check in Boulder Creek, somehow ?
Two refills to clear it.