Flat tires are going to happen; they are the scourge of every cyclist. A flat tire could happen on your first ride on a new bike, tomorrow, or two years from now.
Getting a flat tire is an inevitable part of cycling. It doesn't matter if you are a seasoned professional or a complete beginner; punctures are something that all cyclists experience at some point. Whether you're cycling on the road, in the park, on a desert trail, or even on the beach, there is always a risk of getting a flat.
Causes of Flats-
One of the most common reasons for flat tires is improper tire pressure. Having a tire that is too low on air can allow the tube to get pinched when going over bumps. For this reason, all experienced cyclists check their tire pressure before each ride. It is equally important to never exceed the pressure rating on the side of the tire, as doing so can be dangerous. If you are unsure of how to check your tire pressure, or what it should be, see this article for more information on tire air pressure.
When you have a flat tire, you may also want to inspect the inside of the rim and tire. Look for anything that may be poking through to the inside of the tire. Look for sharp spots inside of the rim, and make sure that the protective tape covering the top of the spokes is in good condition. Sharp spots in the rim can be filed and sanded down, and the protective tape can be replaced or reinforced with a layer of Gorilla Tape.
Except for very rare cases, the final common cause of flats is some type of puncture. Bicycle tires are more prone to this kind of damage than car or truck tires are. This is because the tires are much thinner and lighter. If bicycle tires were as thick and heavy as car tires, we would not be able to pedal!
Repair of Flats-
Regardless of how the flat happened, the inner tube will need to be changed. The innertube is a rubber ring that sits inside the tire and holds the air. Changing or patching the tube is no big deal for those with more experience, however, early on in your cycling career, tube changes can be a daunting task. Whichever camp you fall into, it is best to be prepared with tools, knowledge, and parts to repair your flat tire when it does happen.
Tools-
The first step in getting the flat repaired is going to be having the right tools. There are many premade flat repair kits online that will work for this however, you can create your own with tools commonly found online. Most complete flat repair kits will contain the following:
- Tire levers- tools used to remove the tire from the rim
- Tube or patches- a new tube is a more convenient solution however, patches are easier to carry in large numbers.
- Pump- There are many kinds of pumps, some use compressed gas to inflate the tube. Others are manually operated. Each has benefits and drawbacks
- Wrench to remove wheel- on most ebikes the rear wheel is held in place by nuts. A wrench will be needed to loosen them.
If you do not wish to make your own flat repair kit, there are some premade ones available online. This link is just one example of such a kit: Flat tire repair kit.
Knowledge-
Once you have assembled the correct tools, you will need to know how to use them. Since flat tires are the most common issue plaguing the cycling community, there are a plethora of online resources to help you learn how to change a flat tire. Park Tool Company, makes fantastic videos on how to work on all aspects of your bicycle. In addition, the newer GCN YouTube channel has some great instructions as well. Videos from both sources are linked below as examples:
Park Tool Video- How to Fix a Flat Tire on a Bicycle
GCN Video- How To Fix A Flat Tyre - Fix A Road Bike Puncture
Flat tire mitigation Video- Put a STOP to flat tires - 5 things to know for your ebike
Parts-
The final thing you will need to fix the flat tire is the parts. A new tube and/or tire may be needed for this repair. Since we do use different sizes of tires on our bicycles, we have compiled a list of them below to help you find the correct size. In addition, each bike has the corresponding wheel removal guide linked as well.
Cafe Cruiser
Tires: Bicycle Fat Tire Duro 26" x 3.00"
Inner Tube: Fat Tire Tubes 26X3.0
How to remove the rear wheel: How to Remove the Rear Wheel
Revv 1 FS
Tires: CST Scout E-Moped 20X4.00 Bike Fat Tires
Inner Tube: Bakcou Fat Tire Bike Tube - 20x4"
How to remove the rear wheel: Revv 1 Rear Wheel Removal & Ride1Up Revv 1 Rear Wheel Removal
Revv 1 HT
Tires: Revv 1 HT 20x4" Tires
Inner Tube: 20x4" Innertubes
How to remove the rear wheel: Revv 1 Rear Wheel Removal & Ride1Up Revv 1 Rear Wheel Removal
Roadster V2
Tires: Kenda kwest 700x28c tire
Inner Tube: 700 x 28 innertube-Schrader
How to remove the rear wheel: Roadster V2 All About The Belt & Reassembly of Rear Wheel for a Ride1up Roadster V2
Gravel Roadster V2
Tires: Continental Terra // 40-584 (27,5x1,5')
Inner Tube: 2 Pack 28" 700C Bike Tubes 700
How to remove the rear wheel: Roadster V2 All About The Belt & Reassembly of Rear Wheel for a Ride1up Roadster V2
700 Series
Tires: Tires - GROOV-E 27.5x2.5"
Inner Tube: Innertube 27.5x2.4" Shrader Valve
How to remove the rear wheel: How to Remove the Rear Wheel
Turris
Tires: Booster | K1227 -27.5x2.4"
Inner Tube: Innertube 27.5x2.4" Long Shrader Valve
How to remove the rear wheel: How to Remove the Rear Wheel
LMT’D
Tires: Tires- Groov-E: 27.5x2.4"
Inner Tube: Innertube 27.5x2.4" Shrader Valve
How to remove the rear wheel: How to Remove the Rear Wheel
Rift
Tires: Tires- KENDA KRUSADER 26X4.0"
Inner Tube: Bakcou Fat Tire Bike Tube, 26x4"
How to remove the rear wheel: How to Remove the Rear Wheel
Core-5
Tires: Tires- Groov-E: 27.5x2.4"
Inner Tube: Innertube 27.5x2.4" Shrader Valve
How to remove the rear wheel: How to Remove the Rear Wheel
Prodigy V1 XR & ST
Tires: Maxx Shield Road Tire - 27.5x2"
Inner Tube: 27.5 x 1.95-2.125" Inner Tubes
How to remove the rear wheel: How to Remove the Rear Wheel
Prodigy V1 XC
Tires: MAXXIS Forekaster Tire - 27.5 x 2.35"
Inner Tube: 27.5 x 2.1-2.4" Inner Tube
How to remove the rear wheel: How to Remove the Rear Wheel
Prodigy V2
Tires: MAXXIS Rekon Race Tire - 27.5 x 2.25
Inner Tube: 27.5 x 1.95-2.125" Inner Tubes
How to remove the rear wheel: How to Remove the Rear Wheel
Portola
Tires: EBike Fat Tire 20x3”
Inner Tube: Bakcou Fat Tire Bike Tube - 20x4"
How to remove the rear wheel: How to Remove the Rear Wheel
CF Racer1 Road
Tires: Schwalbe Pro ONE TLE 700c x 32mm - Transparent Tan
Inner Tube: 700C Bike Tubes 700 x 28/32C Schrader Valve
How to remove the rear wheel: How to Remove the Rear Wheel
CF Racer1 Gravel
Tires: Continental Terra Trail Tire 700c x 40mm
Inner Tube: 700 x 35-43 Inner Tubes, Schrader Valve
How to remove the rear wheel: How to Remove the Rear Wheel
Additoinal Information-
Ride1Up does not warranty tires and inner tubes since they are considered wear-and-tear items. Our warranty covers "manufacturing defects" and since the majority of flat tires are caused by road debris and improper pressure, they are not covered.
Here are a few helpful YouTube videos:
Put a STOP to flat tires - 5 things to know for your ebike
Park Tools - How to Fix a Flat Tire on a Bicycle
Park Tools - How to Remove and Install a Bicycle Tire & Tube
