How to Inflate Tubeless Bicycle Tires

How to Inflate Tubeless Bicycle Tires

Courtesy: iStockphoto

If you're serious about riding and use tubeless bicycle tires, eventually you'll need to check the air pressure and inflate the tires. Because riders typically inflate their tubeless tires to higher pressures than their inner-tube cousins, you'll need to use some specialized steps.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:
  • Tubeless tire Tubeless tire sealant High-pressure compressor CO2 canister
  • Tubeless tire
  • Tubeless tire sealant
  • High-pressure compressor
  • CO2 canister
Step 1
Check the inside of the wheel to ensure that it is free of sharp objects that could cause a flat. Run your fingers along the inside of the wheel and the insides of the rim.
Step 2
Apply a quality adhesive to the insides of the wheel rims after you've properly seated the tire onto the rim. You can find adhesives at your local bike shop. Be sure to keep a small tube of adhesive in your tool kit in case you need to repair your tire on the road.
Step 3
Inflate the tire using an air compressor or CO2 canister. While you can't keep an air compressor with you on your next ride, you can store a small CO2 canister in your tool kit. Do not attempt to inflate the tire using a standard hand pump. Mounting and inflating tubeless bicycle tires requires a rapid burst of air pressure.
Step 4
Deflate the tire after the adhesive has had time to dry. Check the tire to ensure that the bead is properly seated completely around the rim. Reinflate the tire to the manufacturer's suggested pressure.

Tips & Warnings

 
Use a good-quality adhesive to glue the tire to the rim. Store a small CO2 canister in your tool kit for emergencies on the road.
 
Use a good-quality adhesive to glue the tire to the rim.
 
Store a small CO2 canister in your tool kit for emergencies on the road.
 
Be sure you're using the proper tire size for your rim. Do not attempt to inflate the tire using a hand pump.
 
Be sure you're using the proper tire size for your rim.
 
Do not attempt to inflate the tire using a hand pump.

Article Written By Allen Smith

Allen Smith is an award-winning freelance writer living in Vail, Colo. He writes about health, fitness and outdoor sports. Smith has a master's degree in exercise physiology and an exercise specialist certification with the American College of Sports Medicine at San Diego State University.

Write for Trails.com
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