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My inner tube is not holding air, what do I do? Last Updated: 08/03/2022

Here's some helpful information on how to service your tires for maximum performance. Tech Talk To better understand how flat tires happen — and how you can prevent them — it helps to know how a bike’s tire works, which is often misunderstood. All FATWHEELS kits are outfitted with standard tube/tire combinations. The tube, which is made of rubber and resides inside your tire, inflates (or deflates) via pneumatic (air) pressure. The tire serves as protection for the tube, preventing damage or puncture — most of the time. Tire and tube both sit on your wheel’s rim, the tire’s sidewall nesting snuggly against the rim. Air pressure (typically referred to as PSI or pound per square inch) is the amount of air inside the tube. FATWHEELS tires should be inflated to a maximum of 40 psi. A properly inflated tube helps the tire hold its shape. It’s important to remember that, in this example, the tube holds air, not the tire. Types of Flat Tires and How to Prevent Them Though you might think all flat tires are the same, there are actually some notable differences. This list of culprits most frequently includes puncture by a sharp object, failure of or damage to inflation valve, over inflation, pinch flat, tire or tube wear, and severe road/trail hazards such as potholes or rocks. Some causes are fairly self-explanatory. If you run over a piece of glass or a nail, there’s a high likelihood of getting a flat tire. The same goes for smashing into a giant pothole or plowing over a sharp rock. Your best bet for avoiding a flat in all these cases is obstacle avoidance. Proper tire inflation and occasional equipment inspection is arguably your best bet for avoiding flat tires. Like your automobile, all tires have a recommended inflation range, which is typically printed on the tire’s sidewall and included in the set-up instructions. Heed this advice, and you’ll avoid blowouts from over inflation and pinch flats from putting too little air in, which can allow the tube to slip between the tire and rim, resulting in an aptly named snake bite where there are two holes on corresponding sides of the tube. Your tire inspection list should include assuring proper inflation before every ride, which is most often done using a pump with a gauge that tells you how much air pressure is in your tire and whether you need to add or remove air. Checking for excessive tire wear is also vitally important. Worn out tires are more susceptible to puncture and should be replaced. Also, make sure there are no embedded objects in your tires. A thorn that’s just barely stuck into your tire now could soon penetrate far enough to relieve your tube of its air. How to Fix a Flat Tire When it comes time to fix a flat, start by taking the wheel off the bike. Next, remove the damaged tube. To do this, first completely deflate the tube, then remove one edge of the tire bead from the rim by pressing on the bead of the tire or using a tire lever to pop the bead off the rim. Now pull out the tube and inspect for damage, trying to assess what caused the puncture. Always try to establish cause before installing a new tube so that the new tube doesn’t meet the same fate. Also, make sure to examine the tire and inside of the rim, looking for (and removing) any flat causing objects such as thorns or glass shards. Once you’ve removed the tube, you can either replace it with a new one or repair the damaged tube. When out riding, most people will simply install a spare. To make this process a little easier, inflate the tube slightly to give it some shape, then insert it into the tire. You may choose to repair the old tube using a patch kit at home, which will include all necessary instructions. Once you have a new (or repaired tube in place), install the tire bead back over the rim using tire levers, being sure not to pinch the tube on the rim under the tire. Next, inflate slowly at first to set the bead and ensure proper installation. The sound of the tire bead popping into place is normal. Just make sure the tire is even relative to the rim. Check this by rotating the wheel and assuring it spins true with no bias. Lastly, reinstall the wheel. Finally, make sure that the wheel spins true. If everything looks good, you’re ready to get back on your bike and on with that great ride with your Rider. Was this blog post helpful? 10 (Best) 9 8 7 6 5 (Average) 4 3 2 1 (Worst) Comments: