Preventing Flat Tires

As most cyclists know, a flat tire can bring a nice afternoon ride to a screeching halt. Don't let flats ruin your day – prevent flats before they happen.

There are several primary causes of flat tires:

s thorn and glass punctures

s pinch flats and valve stem cuts

s overinflation

s spoke/rim punctures

To prevent thorn and glass punctures, one option is thorn-resistant tubes. They are inexpensive (about $6) but are heavier than the other options. Puncture-resistant tires are more expensive ($20-$30) but very reliable. They are a little heavier, however.

Tire liners are fairly effective and lighter than the first two options, and only cost $6-$10 per wheel. The last option is sealants, which are good on tiny holes but not very effective on larger punctures, and only cost about $4-$8 per wheel.

To avoid pinch flats and valve stem cuts, be sure your tube is installed properly before inflating, and then inflate to the proper pressure (listed on the sidewall of the tire). Most pinch flats and valve cuts come from tires that have lost pressure over time. Road bike tires should be pumped up for every ride; other tires should be pumped up weekly.

Ensure you do not overinflate your tubes by using a good floor pump with a pressure gauge. Don't use a gas station or another high pressure compressor.

Finally, spoke and rim punctures are caused by broken or cut rim tape or rim strips. The best solution is to use a good quality rim tape. Rubber rim strips are OK on basic "single wall" rims.

Don't let these problems flatten your bike outing – take steps to avoid flats and spend your time riding, not changing tires.