How to Stop Pinch Flats With Foldable Bicycle Tires

Pinch flats happen in two ways: First, and the most common cause, is under-inflated tires. This causes the tire to compress, pinching the tube between the rim and any object you might hit. The result is two small holes in the tube or a "snake bite." The second type of pinch flat happens with foldable tires that are very flexible. Tire levers get stuck between the bead of the tire and the tube causing the tube to get pinched from the lever. You can avoid this by adding baby powder to the inside of the tire. Don't use tire levers if you don't have to.

Things You'll Need

  • New tube
  • Baby powder
  • Floor pump
  • Tire lever
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Instructions

    • 1

      Remove the tire from the bike. Pull one side of the tire free from the rim. Reach in and pull out the old tube. Don't take the tire off the rim. Check the inside of the tire for thorns, nails or any foreign object that can puncture your tube.

    • 2

      Sprinkle baby powder inside the tire. Line up the valve stem with the hole and insert the new tube. Using the floor pump, blow a small amount of air into the tube, just enough to give the tube a round shape.

    • 3

      Pick up the tire with both hands. Using your thumbs, begin pushing the tire over the rim. Work your thumbs away from each other around the circle until your thumbs meet. Pry as hard as you can with both thumbs on the small section of tire that is still outside the rim. You should be able to pop the foldable tire onto the rim without using tire levers. If you cannot, pick up a tire lever.

    • 4

      Insert the tire lever between the rim and the tire. If the tube gets between the rim and the tire lever, the tire lever gets a squishy feel to it. If this happens, very slowly pull the lever out and re-insert it. Very slowly pry up on the rim until the tire pops up over the rim. Pull out the tire lever.

    • 5

      Blow a small amount of air into the tire using the floor pump. Put down the pump and inspect the tire. Spin it around in your hands to make sure the tire has not come loose from the rim in any small area allowing the tube to come out the opening.

    • 6

      Blow the tire up to its recommended pressure. The recommended pressure is stamped on the side of the tire. Failure to pump the tire up to its recommended pressure will result in pinch flats.