How do you repair a tubeless bike tire


How to Fix a Flat Tire | Tubeless

with JESSICA BROUSSEAU, Pro Mechanic for Liv Racing

It’s pretty rare to get a flat tire when you have a tubeless setup. The sealant inside your tires will quickly seal small holes and cuts to keep you rolling on the road or trail. However, flats are always possible – even with tubeless. Whether you’ve discovered your tire is flat after storing it in the garage, or you lose pressure after a sudden impact with a rock, we have you covered with the tips you need. Check out our guide to fixing your tubeless flat and getting back out on your ride.

What You'll Need

  • Sealant
  • Tire Levers
  • Pump and/or CO2 with a valve
  • Cloth or rag

You also might need:

  • Tire boot
  • Tire plugs
  • Rim tape
  • A tube (just in case!)
  • Multi-tool (to remove your axle on some bikes)

Step by step guide to fixing a tubeless flat:

  1. Pull over to a safe place on the side of the road or trail.
  2. For tubeless mountain bike tires, first check to see if there is a small hole in your tire before removing it. If you have tire plugs, you can fix your flat quickly without removing your wheel or tire. Check out this video to learn how to use tire plugs.
  3. Shift! If you have a rear flat, shift into the smallest ring on your cassette. This will make the chain loose and will ensure your wheel is easy to remove and reinstall. If you have rim brakes, spread your brake pads by removing the cable tension or flipping the lever. If you are fixing a flat mid ride instead of at home, you can flip your bike upside down to remove the wheel(s). If you're worried about scrapes or scuffs on your handlebar tape and saddle, find a grassy area or ride with a rag in your jersey pocket. If you ride a mountain bike with hydraulic disc brakes, you might be worried about air finding its way into your brake lines. Usually, this is only an issue if you store your bike upside down for long periods of time.
  4. Remove the wheel from the bike. Remember, each bike can be different. We recommend practicing removing both your front and rear wheel from your bike so you are prepared when you get a flat. Generally speaking, the rear is always the wheel that gives you trouble. If you make sure you shift into the smallest ring on the cassette, it should make this easier. Then, remove the axle or loosen the quick release (but don't remove the nut!), pull the derailleur back and out of the way, and pull your wheel straight up and out of the dropouts.
  5. Remove the bead of your tire from the rim. For tubeless setups, this can be difficult. Squeeze hard on the tire and pull it away from the rim. Do this on both sides. Wiggle the tire back and forth to work the tire into the center of the rim will make it easier to remove the tire. Also, make sure all the air is out of the tire.
  6. Using the "spoon"-shaped end of the tire lever, pull the tire bead up and away from the wheel rim. Use the hook at the end of the lever and hook it to the spoke of the wheel.
  7. Using the second tire lever, insert the "scoop" end under the bead of the tire near the first tire lever you inserted. Pushing forward or pulling toward you, remove one side of the tire completely from the rim. (You may also do this with just one tire lever)

PRO TIP: Opt for plastic tire levers over metal ones. They won’t scratch the surface of your rim and they are lighter and easier to carry!

  1. Inspect the rim tape. Wipe down rim, checking to make sure the rim tape is intact with no holes. If there is a hole in the rim tape that is letting sealant and air through, you won’t be able to fix the problem trail-side. Throw a tube in (learn more about how to fix a flat tire with a tube HERE), and pedal home. When you get home, replace the rim tape. Learn more about how to apply rim tape HERE.
  2. Check the outside of the tire for holes and tears. Carefully run your fingers along the inside of the tire to check for gashes. Inspect the knobs on the tread of the tire as well. If you find a large hole or gash in the tire that cannot be fixed with sealant alone, you’ll need to patch the tire and you might even need to install a tube until you arrive home.
  3. If there is no damage to your rim tape or tire, add more sealant. Make sure you know how much sealant is required for your tires.
  4. Reinstall the tire on the rim. When you have most of the tire inserted into the rim, the last bit can sometimes be a bit of a pain.

PRO TIP: If the last bit is super tight, start back at the top and use your hands to wiggle the tire into the center of the rim. Just like you did at the beginning to loosen the bead from the rim, this creates extra slack in the tire and will make it easier to get onto the rim. While you wiggle the tire push down. When you get to the bottom, you might be able to pop that tire on with your bare hands!

  1. If the tire is still a bit tight, grab your tire levers again and flip it over to push the tire back onto the rim.
  2. Seeding a tubeless tire can sometimes be difficult trail-side. Using a CO2 cartridge can help. If you are home and have a floor pump, try pumping quickly to inflate. The trick is to keep pumping until you hear a “pop” which means the tire has seeded into the rim.
  3. Once the tire is inflated, shake, bounce and spin the wheel to ensure the sealant has coated the inside of the tire. For more tricks on tubeless setup check out our guide HERE.
  4. Reinstall your wheel. If you got a front flat, that is pretty easy. If you are fixing a rear flat, this is usually where people get caught up. No need to worry! Just remember, you already shifted into the smallest ring on your cassette, so that's where your chain should go. Also, remember that your cassette goes between the chains. Then, just move your derailleur back out of the way so your wheel can settle into the rear dropouts. Replace the axle/ tighten your quick release skewer and you're good to go!
  5. If you have rim brakes, don't forget to tighten the cable back down once your wheel is in. Then, just give it a spin and squeeze your brake to make sure everything works like it should. Nice job!

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The Importance of Proper Bike Fit

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How to Replace Disc Brake Pads and Rotors

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Trailside Bike Repair Fix Guide

How to Setup Tubeless Tires

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How to repair a punctured tubeless tyre | Step-by-step guide to plugging, patching and sewing tyres

The sealant used in a tubeless tyre setup is designed to quickly plug small holes, often without you even realising.

However, sometimes the size or the location of the puncture will require more than sealant to fix it.

Here’s how to repair a punctured tubeless tyre using tubeless plugs, patches or sewing.

Tubeless punctures are often easy to find: look for tell-tale sealant or listen for the hissing of lost air pressure.Immediate Media

What do you need to repair a tubeless puncture?

These days, a tubeless plug kit is a key part of any rider’s tool kit.Steve Behr

To repair a tubeless tyre puncture, you will require

  • Tyre levers
  • Tubeless repair plug tool
  • Tubeless repair plugs
  • Pump

For a more serious or stubborn puncture, you may need a tyre patch and/or a needle and thread.

If your sealant has dried out, you might need to refresh it.Russel Burton

You may also require:

  • Fresh tubeless sealant if your old sealant has dried up
  • Replacement rim tape if the original tape is damaged
  • An inner tube if you can’t repair the tyre

How to fix a hole in a tubeless tyre using a tubeless plug

Tubeless puncture plugs are a quick and effective solution. With these, there is no need to take off the tyre – just plug, re-inflate and go.

While there are a number of tubeless repair kits out there, most work in a similar way, using a rubber plug to fill the hole.

Once you’ve found the puncture, remove any offending items (a pick or a small pair of pliers are a useful addition to your tool bag for this very purpose).

Next, use your tubeless plug tool to make sure there’s a sufficiently large hole for the plug to enter – carefully insert the spike into the tyre to avoid damaging the rim tape, and twist to give a clean, round hole.

Thread a tubeless plug through the head of the tubeless plug tool. Most tools will come with a choice of different plug sizes to suit the size of the hole.

With the plug in the centre of the tool, insert it into the tyre, making sure you don’t push through fully.

Then twist carefully to slowly remove the tool, leaving the two ends of the plug on the outside of the tyre.

Inflate the tyre to your desired pressure, taking additional caution with high-pressure road tyres, and rotate the wheel so that the plug is at the ground for a few minutes before you get going again. This will allow some sealant to flow into the repair and fully seal things.

You may need to trim the tails of the plug that are left behind, but take care not to cut it too close to the tyre.

How to patch a punctured tubeless tyre

For more stubborn tubeless tyre punctures that can’t be fixed with a plug, it may be necessary to patch the tyre internally. The process for this is very similar to patching an inner tube.

First, you’ll need to roughen the surface that you want your patch to adhere to, using a little sandpaper, making sure there’s no debris left from the puncture. Cleanliness is key when it comes to gluing patches.

Add some vulcanising rubber solution to the area where you want to add the patch, waiting for it to become tacky as per the kit instructions.

Add the tubeless tyre patch and press down firmly. Try to avoid touching the surface that is to be glued because this can contaminate the adhesive.

Depending on the patch type, these may need minutes or hours to dry, before setting the tyre up tubeless as normal.

If successful, a patched tubeless tyre can last for many rides, often to the end of the tyre’s life.

How to repair serious tyre tears

A torn tyre can be a rider’s worst nightmare. These repair options should be viewed as a way to help you limp home before fitting a new tyre, rather than a long term solution.

How to patch a tyre with a tyre boot

A tyre boot can be placed on the interior of the tyre without any adhesive, held in place by the addition of an inner tube.

This flat boot keeps a flush internal surface to prevent the inner tube from bulging out of the slashed tyre. You can buy pre-made boots or make one out of a number of materials: toothpaste tubes, a section of inner tube or cash notes all work surprisingly well.

How to sew a torn bike tyre

You’ll need a strong thread and needle to sew a tyre, such as this thick nylon or tooth floss.Immediate Media

If you don’t have a boot but you do happen to have tooth floss and a needle, you can actually sew up a torn tubeless tyre.

Using stitches perpendicular to the direction of the slash can help hold the casing of the tyre together before you insert an inner tube.

If you do use this method, it’s a good idea to add something between the sewn rubber and inner tube, such as a strip of strong tape.

If you are heading to the hills for an extended bikepacking or touring trip, packing a needle and thread is a good idea for this and any other fabric repairs.

When to give up and put in a tube

No matter how hard you try, there’s always the chance a tubeless tyre might not be fixable on the road or trailside. Inserting an inner tube can be a mucky business with sealant already in the tyre, so it’s generally a last resort.

Before fitting an inner tube, thoroughly check the tyre for any punctures or offending items such as thorns. Just because you’ve found one, doesn’t mean there won’t be more embedded in the rubber waiting to puncture your inner tube too!

You can still get snakebite punctures with tubeless too, so make sure you’re running adequate pressures in your tyres, especially over harsh or rocky terrain to avoid a nasty double puncture from an impact on the rim. These are notoriously tricky to fix, with holes often too close to the tyre bead.

Besides punctured tyres, there are other things that need careful maintenance to keep your tubeless set up running smoothly, including the rim tape, tubeless valves and sealant.

It can be pretty hard to sort these on the go, so that’s when you might need to pop in a tube and leave the closer inspection until you’re home.

Authors

Katherine Moore is Bristol-based gravel and bikepacking expert who judges her rides by stoke level, rather than speed. When she’s not scouting out the best long-distance and local off-road routes in the UK, Katherine works as a freelance writer, bike tester, presenter and guide. Katherine is the former editor of advntr.cc and has also worked as a presenter on the Global Cycling Network. As well as being a regular contributor to BikeRadar.com and the BikeRadar Podcast, Katherine has also written for Cycling Weekly, Bikepacking. com and hosts the Unpaved Podcast. If you’re out on the trail you’ll likely see her from a mile off, thanks to her rather bright colour palette!

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How to repair a punctured tubeless tire. Step by step guide to plugging, patching and sewing tires

5/5 - (1 vote)

Tubeless technology has revolutionized riding both on and off road, but it is not completely safe.

Tubeless tire sealant designed to quickly seal small holes, often without your knowledge. However, sometimes the size or location of the puncture requires more than sealant.

Tubeless punctures are often easy to find: look for leaking sealant or listen for the hiss of escaping air.

Here's how to repair a tubeless tire puncture using tubeless plugs, patches or sewing.

Contents

What do you need to repair a tubeless puncture?

Tools needed to repair a tubeless tire puncture.

To repair a tubeless tire puncture you will need

  • Tire pliers
  • Tubeless tire nipple repair tool
  • Plugs for repairing tubeless tires
  • Pump
  • For a more severe or difficult to reach puncture, you may need a splint patch and/or a needle and thread.

You may also need:

  • Fresh tubeless sealant if the old sealant is dry
  • Replacing the rim tape if the original tape is damaged
  • Camera if you can't fix tire
How to fix a hole in a tubeless tire with a tubeless plug

Tubeless puncture plugs are a quick and effective solution. With them, you do not need to remove the tire - just plug it in, pump it up and go.

While there are many tubeless repair kits, most work in a similar way, using a rubber plug to fill the hole.

Carefully rotate the tubeless plug tool as a reamer to prepare the plug piercing.

Select tubeless plug size according to puncture size.

Carefully use the tubeless plug tool to insert the plug without damaging the rim tape or losing the plug from the inside.

Tubeless plug tails must be visible from outside when installed.

Trim the open ends of the tubeless plug carefully to avoid damaging the tire.

Tubeless cork may be barely visible in the tread after cutting.

After finding the puncture site, remove any obstructions (you can put small pliers in the tool bag for this).

Next, use a tubeless plug tool to make sure the hole is large enough to insert the plug - carefully insert the spike into the tire to avoid damaging the rim tape and twist to make a clean round hole.

Insert the tubeless plug through the head of the tubeless plug tool. Most tools come with different plug sizes to match the size of the hole.

With the plug in the center of the tool, insert it into the bar without pushing it all the way through.

Then carefully turn the tool and slowly remove it, leaving the two ends of the cork outside the tire.

Inflate the tire to the desired pressure, being especially careful with high pressure road tires, and turn the wheel so that the valve is on the ground for a few minutes before driving again. This will allow the sealant to seep into the repair area and completely seal it.

You may need to cut off the remaining pin tails, but be careful not to cut them too close to the bar.

How to Patch a Tubeless Tire Puncture

For more severe tubeless punctures that cannot be repaired with cork, internal patching may be required. This process is very similar to patching a camera.

A small piece of sandpaper or metal can be used to roughen the area where you want to place the patch for better adhesion.

Add the vulcanizing rubber solution to the affected area and wait until it becomes tacky before applying the patch.

Added tubeless tire patch to prevent air leakage from inside the tire.

First sand the surface to which the patch will be bonded, making sure there is no debris from the puncture. Cleanliness is key when patching.

Add a small amount of vulcanizing rubber solution to the patch site and wait until it becomes tacky according to kit instructions.

Apply the tubeless patch and press firmly. Avoid touching the bonded surface as this may contaminate the adhesive.

Depending on the type of patch, it may take several minutes or hours to dry, then install the tubeless tire as normal.

If repaired successfully, a patched tubeless tire can last for many trips, often to the end of the tire's life.

How to repair severe tire bursts

A blown tire can be a cyclist's worst nightmare. These repair options should be seen as a way to help you get home before your new tire is fitted, not as a long-term solution.

How to patch a tire with a tire liner

A tire liner can be placed on the inside of a tire without any adhesive, held in place by adding an inner tube.

Larger tread or sidewall section may be harder to fix and will require insertion and/or sewing to get home.

If you don't have a tire case, you can use a few different things to improvise. Money bills or parts of a tube of toothpaste work well.

A dozen in your toolbox can save you more than once!

This flat liner provides a flat inner surface to prevent the tube from popping out of a cut tire. You can buy pre-made earbuds or make them from a variety of materials: tubes of toothpaste, camera rolls, or banknotes all work surprisingly well.

How to mend a torn bicycle tire

If you don't have an insert but have floss and a needle, you can mend a torn tubeless tire.

To sew the tire, you will need a strong thread and a needle, such as thick nylon or dental floss.

Using stitches perpendicular to the cut will help hold the tire shell together before you insert the tube.

If you're using this method, it's a good idea to add something between the crosslinked rubber and the inner tube, such as a strip of strong electrical tape.

If you are going to the mountains for a long bike trip or a tour, take a needle and thread with you - it's a good idea for repairing tires and any other fabric.

When to Give Up and Insert a Tube

No matter how hard you try, there's always the chance that a tubeless tire can't be fixed on the road or on the trail. Inserting a tube can be a hassle when the sealant is already in the tire, so this is usually a last resort.

Carefully check the tire for punctures or damage such as studs before installing the tube. Just because you've found one spike doesn't mean there aren't others in the rubber just waiting to puncture your tube!

Snakebite punctures can also occur in tubeless tyres, so make sure the tire pressure is adequate, especially on rough or rocky terrain, to avoid the nasty double puncture from hitting the rim. Such punctures are notoriously difficult to repair because the holes are often too close to the tire rim.

In addition to tire punctures, there are other things that require careful maintenance to keep a tubeless system running, including rim tape, tubeless valves, and sealant.

Understanding them on the go can be quite difficult, so in this case you may have to insert a camera and leave a more thorough inspection until you return home.

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