Bike Tire Keeps Going Flat, but No Puncture: Why Do Your Bike Tires Lose Air?

In this article, we'll talk about possible reasons why your bike tire keeps going flat, as well as some tips on how to prevent it from happening in the future.
By
John Watson
John Watson
Writer
John is an experienced cycling enthusiast and a great asset when it comes to writing skills. He's a Bachelor of Arts and a talented journalist. John is in charge of our blog read more
reviewed
Reviewed By
Jessica Kingston
Jessica Kingston
Expert Consultant
Jessica is our expert consultant on all things connected to biking - gear, technique, you name it. Being a pro cyclist in the past, she knows exactly how things work in and read more
Last updated: August 22, 2023
Bike The Site is reader-supported. We may earn a commission through products purchased using links on this page. Learn more about our process here

Bike tires going flat are one of the most frustrating parts of bike ownership. No matter how well you maintain your bike and check for problems, it can seem like your bike tire has a life of its own in punctures.

Luckily, most bike flats are easy to fix if you know what’s causing them, so here’s our bike tire keeps going flat, but no puncture article with bike tire causes and bike tire solutions to help you get back on the road. So if you wonder why your bike tire goes flat for no reason, there’s actually one. Keep on reading and find it out.

Why Does Your Bike Tire Keeps Going Flat?

Tires are an integral part of the bike, and it is vital to ensure that they are working correctly. The tire may be flat or punctured, but there is a more straightforward reason for the problem more often than not.

Here are some reasons why your tire keeps going down but there’s no puncture:

  • There’s debris in the tire
  • You’ve got a hole in the side of your tire 
  • The tire is old and cracked 
  • You’re running over things on the road 
  • There’s a problem with your bike wheel 
  • The valve on your bike tire is defective
  • Too low or too high pressure

Things to Check When Your Bike Tire’s Losing Air

Bike Tire Keeps Going Flat, but No Puncture: Why Do Your Bike Tires Lose Air?
Check your tire pressure on average once a week

A sign that your bike tire won’t hold air can be subtle or dramatic, but it’s always worth checking. Sometimes the pressure may drop so much in just one day that you’ll feel a difference while riding; other times – not at all. 

The best way to prevent bike tires from losing air with no hole is to have a great bike that’s affordable and durable, whether you have a road or a gravel bike.

Here are some things to check regularly if your tire is deflated but has no puncture:

  • Look for cuts, thorns, and debris stuck in the tread

Tread tires have different grades of durability. A thin print may not offer as much protection against scratches and thorns getting stuck in the tire, so you should be careful when cycling on these types of surfaces if it’s your first time out with that type or grade.

  • Inspect the sidewalls of your tires for any cuts

The sidewalls of your tires may have been damaged by debris, especially if they are worn. Scrutinize them for cuts or step on one to see how much force it takes before you can feel any dents with the side of your foot

However, there will be some indication when inspecting these parts, such as bruises running over. It could mean either lousy luck had struck once again due perhaps to an accident that occurred while traveling at high speeds along pothole-riddled roadsides.

  • Check the tire treads to see if worn down

Before you go out on the road, check your tire to see if it needs any Patching or changing.

You can do this by looking at its treads with a spare wheel next time around if anything goes wrong while cycling.

  • If you have a tubeless tire, check the sealant levels

People often wonder why their tubeless tires go flat when there’s no puncture. If your brand new bike tire is losing air pressure, check the sealant levels. The most important thing is that they are properly inflated with enough air pressure for tires. If you have a tubeless tire setup, make sure there are no “bubbles” or cracks between any layers of your tire, which could lead to an explosion while riding on rough terrain.

  • Make sure the valve on your bike tire is tight and not defective

If the bicycle tire looks flat when riding, check the valve of your bike tire. Ensure you tighten up all valves on bicycle components like tubes, puncture-resistant inner cores, and rim wheels so that they don’t lose air while riding. At best, it will cause discomfort – maybe even fall overdue unstable handling properties in wet conditions.

  • Pump up your tires to the recommended air pressure level

It is essential to maintain the proper air pressure for your tires. It would be best if you pumped them up to have enough room, which helps prevent punctures.

What Are Some of the Bike Tire Flat Problems?

Your bike tire is going to go flat sooner or later. You can avoid this problem by improving the care and maintenance of each part, but what are some other reasons for tire deflating with no puncture? Below we explore all possibilities.

Pneumatic Bike Tire

With the popularity of biking on a pneumatic tire-like Schwalbe Fat Frank Balloon Tire and not just with mountain bikes, bicycle owners need to know how to flatten their tires.

One of the most common repairs for pneumatic bike tires is to inflate them with your pump. It can be done in about two minutes and does not require any tools or other specific knowledge on how to do it, but there are a few things that you need first: A bicycle tire gauge attached by an eyelet and two air pumps.

Bike Tire Keeps Going Flat, but No Puncture: Why Do Your Bike Tires Lose Air?
Inflating bike tires with a pump

Tubeless Bike Tire

Tubes have been the go-to method for repairing punctures since they were invented in 1891. But, if you use a tubeless tire like Heavy Duty 26 Inch Inner Tube instead, there’s an even easier fix.

So if your bike with a tubeless tire is losing air with no puncture, all that needs to happen is removing any old patches and then filling up with air or inflating your tube (depending on which type suits you best). 

Once done, place the patch over the hole before reinstalling, so no more cuts are needed when fixing those pesky flat tires again.

Rim Deformation

If you notice that your tires are wearing more quickly than usual or if they seem unusually bulging at one point on the circumference, this could be due to Rim Deformation occurring in those areas.

Faulty valves also cause similar symptoms – for example, when bike air leaks out between them during expansion and contraction cycles (causing local inflation). 

To prevent these problems, make sure there’s always enough tread left appearing round and without any sharp ridges where debris might ride up against it as cross-ties would do. 

Burping

There are two types of burping that bike tires do. One is expected, where the bike tires lose air, and the other releases CO2-rich fluids, which cause the ear-witness to sound like “POP!”

To avoid burping, place the bike tire on a stand or in front of an open window. It will allow air movement while inflating it and reduce stomach gases that could come out when filling up with pressure.

Damaged Valves

Bike Tire Keeps Going Flat, but No Puncture: Why Do Your Bike Tires Lose Air?
Presta bicycle tire valve

The bicycle tire is one of the most critical parts of any bike. It provides a cushion and grip for when you ride, but it also needs maintenance. Your tires go flat due to valve damage, pinched Presta valves stem, or pinch flatting because you didn’t put enough air into it when inflating in the first place. It is vital to keep your bike tires properly inflated for the best performance and safety.

Here’s how to fix damaged valves:

  1. Find the valve hole on the tire
  2. Use a small object to poke through the hole and release air from inside
  3. Place a tube over the wheel rim, then inflate it with a bike pump until you can’t see any more bubbles escaping from inside
  4. Inflate your tires to recommended pressure level (usually printed on the side of the tire) 
  5. Replace damaged valve stem by pushing it back in place or using super glue for a tougher fix

Schrader valves are used for bleeding air from tires, regulating pressure in bicycles, and other riding equipment such as pumps or car clubs with their sources of storage so that nozzles don’t get blocked when you stop to refill them along the way.

To fix any leaks within these pipes, mend/tighten any punctures. They may be run over by anything sharp while out there exploring nature’s vast open spaces.

Repairing a Presta valve on your bike can be done in just two steps.

The first step is to unscrew the bicycle tire plug from one side, then remove any traces left by an old flat with another tool such as needle-nose pliers before removing both pieces together using a boxer- Lucas style spanner wrench (BBW). 

Once these tasks are complete, it’s time to clean up due to residual liquid. If required, wipe off remaining spatters around frame and components; maybe give hub carrier clean. A final check ensures all looks good, so now you’re ready to reinstall parts neatly.

Other Problems with Bike Tire

There are other problems with a bike tire being flat but there’s no puncture. For example, you may experience flat spots caused by abrasion or improper mounting because of their orientation to the ground. 

In most cases where this occurs, cyclists will have difficulty removing any puncture without help from another person due to only a few brands allowing repairing oneself quickly enough.

 

Still, it is essential not to significantly neglect your safety while working underneath vehicles when changing out the tube, so always make sure they’re secure before doing anything else.

Common Bike Tire Punctures, Causes, and Solutions

The three most common bike tire causes are:

  1. A puncture in the inner tube
  2. A problem with the tire itself
  3. A problem with the wheel

Here’s a quick look at each of these bike tire problems and how to fix them.

Type of puncture Probable cause Best solution
Puncture in the inner tube Punctures can come from any sharp object penetrating the bike tire into the inner tube. It can be anything from a thorn to a nail. You’ll need a bike pump, inner tube patch kit, and bike tire levers to fix this bike flat. Remove the bike tire and find the puncture. If it’s small, you can patch it using the kit. If it’s larger, you’ll need to replace the inner tube.
Problem with tire The bike tires can deflate because the bike tire pressure is too high or because there’s a bike tire bulge or crack. Replace the bike tire with a similar model, and make sure you check for air leaks in the bike tire. Putting bike tire pressure too high can also result in a bike flat.
Problem with wheel A problem with the bike wheel can cause the bike to wobble or shake. It makes it challenging to ride and can also lead to a bike flat. Check the bike wheel bearings, axle, and spokes. If they’re loose or damaged, you’ll need to replace them. If this bike flat repair doesn’t work, it’s likely that something has warped or bent with bike use and needs professional bike tire services.

Preventative Measures to Put After Fixing Bike Tires

According to Angela Haupt Trusted Source Bicycling etiquette for newbies | The Washington Post Whether you’re an experienced or novice cyclist, read our etiquette guide before you ride. www.washingtonpost.com , there are three steps to follow after fixing a slow leak bike tire. First, find a safe place and then secure yourself with your arms or across the handlebars so that if one goes flat, you’ll be able to pedal away from any obstacles until help arrives (this is also why we always wear protective gear when working on our bikes).

Second, replace both tubes of equal size. Never just put air back into one tube since this will result in uneven pressure being distributed, thus making for uncomfortable riding conditions overall and potential injuries down the line.

Lastly, but not least importantly, make sure you have the best full suspension mountain bike; this will ensure you won’t find your bike tire deflated overnight.

Does Your Tire Still Keep Going Flat?

As you can see, bike tires are losing air, but no hole is caused by a few common bike tire problems that are easy to fix.  Contact a bike shop for more professional bike tire services if you’re still having trouble with bike tires going flat.

Can Bike Tires Go Flat from Sitting Unused?

Bike tires indeed can go flat after storage, especially in improper conditions. These include cold temperatures, humidity, and direct sunlight. Also, tires are naturally made of porous rubber causing them to lose air when not in use over time.

Final Thoughts

The bike tire keeps going flat, but no puncture is quite a common problem. It is essential to examine what’s going wrong and determine what solutions will work best to fix the problem. 

You can check many things, including your back wheel, front rim, and spokes. If all of these checks come up with nothing, then it’s time to replace the tube or buy a new tire Trusted Source Global Market Study on Bicycle Tires: Focus Increasing on Importance of Grip and Safety | Persistence Market Research The global bicycle tire market is projected to expand at a CAGR of close to 8% over the forecast period of 2021-2031. www.persistencemarketresearch.com .

Whether you want to prevent future flats or fix your existing problem, we’ve got some information for you. We hope this article will help you know what steps to take when it occurs. 

References

1.
Bicycling etiquette for newbies | The Washington Post
Whether you’re an experienced or novice cyclist, read our etiquette guide before you ride.
2.
Global Market Study on Bicycle Tires: Focus Increasing on Importance of Grip and Safety | Persistence Market Research
The global bicycle tire market is projected to expand at a CAGR of close to 8% over the forecast period of 2021-2031.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *