How to prevent punctures

A few habits go a long way toward avoiding flats. In order of greatest impact, here are common ways of avoiding flats:

• Choose a tire with good puncture protection. A quality tire with a puncture protection belt under the tread is your single best defense.

• Keep the pressure correct. Riding underinflated substantially increases puncture risk, since a soft tire flexes and cuts more easily against debris and impacts. Conversely, overinflated tires can also increase the risk of punctures since the tire is unable to conform around debris, square edges, sharp objects, etc. While a simple squeeze of the tire may suffice for a quick pressure check, it is advised to check the tire pressure with a gauge at least once a month.
• Don't skip the rim tape. It protects the tube from spoke ends, burrs, and holes inside the rim. A rim tape that's too narrow or torn can cause punctures that have nothing to do with the road at all.
• Inspect your tires regularly. Look for embedded glass, wire, or thorns and pick them out before they work their way through the exterior of the tire.
• Replace worn tires. Puncture protection also depends on tread thickness, so a badly worn tire offers less protection even if the belt itself is intact.
• Use quality tubes. The strongest puncture belt in the world won't help if the tube itself is thin or low quality.
• Consider a sealant for certain use cases. A puncture-sealing liquid inside the tube or tire can help prevent flats in specific situations, such as touring in thorny areas or racing on very light, lower-protection tires.

Note: puncture protection tape inserted between the tire and tube isn't something we recommend or sell separately. Because it sits between the tire and tube, it can rub and actually cause damage over time. It's more effective to have puncture protection built into the tire itself.

Updated on: 08/12/2026