How to Avoid a Flat Tire – On Your Bike

Ouch! Flat tire got you low?

Getting a flat tire isn’t only a major inconvenience and potential danger for motorists, but it’s something cyclists should think about as well. When you’re on your bike, you don’t exactly have a seat belt to hold you down, and one quick change in speed or one bump in the road can send you tumbling to the ground. If you can better prevent a flat tire, now’s the time to think about it – before you actually get one. Here are some tips for avoiding a flat tire on your bike.

Maintain proper air pressure in your tires.

A “snake bite” or a “pinch” flat tire can be caused by not having enough air in your tires when you hit a pothole – this is probably the easiest type of flat tire to avoid because it can be prevented by having the right amount of air pressure in your bicycle tires. Make sure that your tires are firm, but not too hard, because of the proper amount of air pressure.

Avoid debris on the roads.

You never know when a stray piece of glass or a sharp rock might strike your tire at the right angle to produce a flat, so it’s best to avoid debris on the road as much as possible. Of course, you never want to steer into traffic, so make sure you are aware of the road conditions when you’re riding. Keep in mind that lower areas such as the gutters will have the most debris because of rain and traffic.

Inspect your tires regularly.

Inspecting your tires regularly will help you find anything that has stuck to them that can pose as a problem. It will also keep you up-to-date on their level of pressure; if they need a little more you can pump them with some extra air. Prevention is the name of the game here, so try to keep up with the quality of your tires.

Be aware of traffic.

Being aware of traffic as much as possible means avoiding sudden swerves and steering changes, which can keep you out of trouble. It’s important to stay away from cars, so you’ll want to be aware of traffic in order to prevent swerving into the gutter and crashing. You’ll keep your course steadier when you’re aware of traffic, and you’ll keep yourself safer.

Avoiding a flat tire isn’t only about keeping your tires in good shape, but keeping you in the right condition as well. To stay safe, make sure that you prevent a flat tire before it happens.

Photo Credits: estro

Originally posted 2009-08-13 03:23:02.

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