Flat tires can be crippling to a long bike ride--and devastating if you are out in the boonies without a multi-tool or other equipment to create a quick fix. Unfortunately, flat tires are one of the risks of riding a bike. Most tires are narrow and thin, making them highly susceptible to broken glass, metal and jagged rocks on the ground. But if you suffer from frequent flat tires--or if you're simply looking to avoid this hazard as much as possible--you can take several steps to preserve the life of your tires.
Step 1
Replace old equipment with new parts periodically. Used tires and tubes already have wear and tear on them, and if they come from someone else, you can't guarantee how many miles they have left in them. Even if you've taken good care of them, at some point tires start to succumb to UV rays, dry rot and general wear and tear. Purchase new equipment--including new tires and tubes before they blow out. Bloom Bike Shop also recommends buying tires with reinforced, synthetic linings to add protection from rugged conditions.
Step 2
Inflate tires so that the tube's exterior is rigid and check the tire pressure periodically to keep this well-maintained. Pinch flats occur when low tire pressure creates slack in the tube. When the tire strikes a hard surface abruptly, it can pinch this excess tube material, and create a cut in the tubing. By keeping your tires well-inflated, Performance Bike says you can avoid pinch flats.
Step 3
Focus on the road ahead. Sometimes you can't avoid hazards that can puncture tire tubes, but other times flats occur because the rider wasn't watching where he was riding. By spotting hazards before they're under your wheel, you can preserve the life of your tires and prevent blowouts.
Step 4
Monitor your wheel rims periodically, and sand off any sharp edges that threaten to cut the tire's tubing. Any dings to the wheel rim, including from kicked-up sand or gravel, can create sharp, rough edges on the rim. If your tube comes in contact with these edges, it can rip wide open. Using a metal file is an easy way to protect your tires from their rims.
Step 5
Ride relaxed. The more tense you are when riding, and the rougher the terrain you travel, the more likely you are to stress the tire tube and cause a pop. You can only do so much in mountain biking, but road cyclists should ride as smooth as possible to avoid disaster and maintain high speeds and fast times. Keep your legs and arms relaxed, so that they can absorb some of the shock of the ground, and take the stress off your tires.
Things You'll Need
- Metal file
- Bike pump
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