Certain types of riding can separate the tubeless tire bead from the rim, causing loss of air. You can often fix his type of flat by applying sealant on the rim and re-inflating the tire. When a tire goes flat from a puncture, it's necessary to remove the wheel, dismount the tire from the rim and apply a tubeless patch. Making a patch repair is easiest in a shop. If you carry a patch kit on the bike, you can make the repair on the trail. A hand pump or CO2 power inflator will re-inflate the tire for riding.
Step 1
Remove the wheel from the bicycle. Place the wheel on a flat surface and push on the tire bead to free it from the rim. Turn the wheel over and free the tire bead from this side of the wheel.
Step 2
Insert a tire lever into the seam between the wheel and the tire bead and pry the bead up. Insert the second lever under the edge of the bead and work both levers until the bead is out of the rim. Turn the wheel over and use the levers to remove the tire from the rim.
Step 3
Inspect the inside of the tire and remove any object that may have caused a puncture. If you don't see an obvious puncture, inspection the tire more closely to locate the spot where air escaped.
Step 4
Rough the area that you are patching. Wipe away any residue and apply the adhesive. Allow the adhesive to dry and apply the patch. Press the patch firmly with the round end of the patch kit or the side of the wrench.
Step 5
Mount the tire on the rim. Add enough air to inflate the tire bead onto the rim. Run a stream of water over the tread in the area of the new patch and look for tell-tale bubbles that signify air is escaping. Run water over the bead on both sides of the wheel to make sure the bead is seated tight on the rim. Replace the wheel on the bicycle and inflate the tire to the proper pressure.
Tips and Warnings
- Attach the bicycle to a stand before removing the wheel. After patching, fill the tire with air and immerse the wheel and tire in water to look for bubbles along the bead, valve stem and tread. If the tire bead does not seal, apply tire sealant on the bead and re-inflate the tire.
Things You'll Need
- Tire levers, 2
- Adjustable wrench
- Tubeless patch kit
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