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Home / Mountain Bikes and Gear / Components / Tires All / Tires / Survey

Mountain Bikers: How Do You Get Flat Tires? [Survey]

Mountain bike tires are always looking for ways to leak air.

By Jeff Barber
January 10, 2021

5 comments

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Mountain bike tires are always looking for ways to leak air. Depending on where and how you ride, flat tires can be caused in a number of different ways. The good news is once you figure out why you’re flatting, you can make adjustments so (hopefully) it doesn’t happen as often.

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Jeff Barber

Jeff Barber has been mountain biking since 1992 and has tested hundreds of mountain bikes and components. He is the co-founder of Singletracks and serves as Editor in Chief. Contact him at [email protected].

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5 Comments

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mongwolf Mongolia // 2011
Jan 11, 2021

I haven't had an actual flat in a couple of years now. I've been riding tubeless for maybe 4 years. I got a couple of burps in the beginning, trying to figure out the lowest tire pressures I could run. Once I got that figured out, it's been smooth sailing except for one front tire sidewall slash that ended very ugly.

0 reply

Called2RideMTB Maryland // 2017
Jan 11, 2021

I ride hard and over a multitude of conditions and only occasionally lose some pressure between rides.

0 reply

Sunspot Colorado // 2019
Jan 10, 2021

Pinch flats are a rarity, trials teaches the fine art of being light and proper inflation for the skill of rider.

Over the last 30 years, I have had no pinch flats but cactus thorns, those bastards! Goat heads occasionally. Cannot remember the last rim taco I was served...
Now I have Jinxed it!!
Dammit, Jeff, now you've really done it!
I do have a wheelset done tubeless and my pithy little dirt ripper wears tubes for the 5 minute tire swap that is a must.

Frankly, my patch kit will have dried rubber cement by the time I really need it. :/

0 reply

doug_rierdan California // 2017
Jan 11, 2021

Sidewall slashes. I consider punctures to be small holes, that the sealant usually fixes. Sidewall slashes (usually from a sharp rock) are a catastrophe . We have to stop, put in a tube, pump it up, then pray that the bill we put over the slash prevents the tube from being cut.

I have found the Stan's Darts to be very helpful

0 reply

ABhardtail Illinois // 2019
Jan 10, 2021

Used to have regular pinch flats, no flats at all so far after going tubeless!

0 reply

Tagged: flat tire, pinch flat, survey, tear, gear, tires

First published January 10, 2021 @ 2:24:02