What is the very best way to prevent or fix bicycle flat tires??

Question

Can anyone share their experience with preventing or fixing bicycle flat tires? Any technique that really works well, coming from their real-life experience? thanks...

Answer 1

When you get a flat tire there are two types of punctures - pinch flat and punctures.

First take the wheel off your bike and use a tire lever (http://www.bikerepaironline.com/insert%2... to get one bead off. Then take out the inner tube.

Use a pump to inflate the tube out of the tire and find the flat. If it looks like a snake bite than it is a pinch flat meaning the tube was pinched between the rim and something hard on the road caused by too low tire pressure.  If there is just one hole than it is a puncture from some debris. In this case check the inside of the tire for something sharp like a staple or glass. If you find anything - remove it.

If you cant find the hole you can immerse the tube in water and check for bubbles coming out of the tube.  

Now you have two choices - patch or replace. If the hole in the tube is small than you can use a patch (can be bought at any bike shop). Otherwise you can replace the tube. Patches are like 25 cents and new tubes are $3 or $4.

Now put the new or patched tube back in the tube partially inflated, put the tire bead back on, making sure not to pinch the tube between the rim and the tire. now inflate the tire to full pressure, if it was a pinch flat than add some more air than you had before to help prevent pinches.

Answer 2

Open up the tire and inspect the tube. If it has a hole, throw it away. inspect the tire for anything sharp. If anything is found, pull it out and throw it away. If it leaves a hole in the tire, throw away the tire. Bicycle tubes only cost a few dollars, so just buy a tube if that's all you need, not a full tire.

Answer 3

Depends where you ride and what kind of riding you do.