Punctures are more common over the winter period as potholes develop and there’s more debris on our roads. Here are six things you can do to dramatically reduce the risk.

Choose the right tyres

A more robust and wider tyre provides better puncture resistance and especially if it incorporates a protection strip. They usually give better grip and comfort too.

Get the pressure right

Too low a pressure and you risk a pinch flat when you hit a pothole or rough surface. The result is a ‘snake bite’ puncture with two parallel slits in the tube.

Pumping a tyre up to the recommended pressure lessens the chance of sidewall damage, reduces tyre wear and damage to wheel rims. It improves bike handling too.

Add sealant to tubes

Using sealant filled inner tubes or adding sealant to a tube significantly reduces punctures.

Sealants coat the inside of the tube as the wheel spins. If punctured the escaping air sucks the sealant towards the hole and plugs it before the tyre deflates completely.

 

Push Bike logo.

Push Bike logo.

 

Go tubeless

Tubeless tyres are fairly new and you’ll need tubeless ready wheels. They’re a bit more expensive and difficult to fit, but give several benefits.

Rolling resistance is reduced, you get a more comfortable ride and there’s no chance of a pinch puncture. They need to be filled with sealant to plug any punctures in the tyre. They’re not infallible, so take a tubeless repair kit or spare inner tube for larger punctures that won’t seal.

Check your tyres regularly

If a tyre is worn through to the puncture protection or you can see the threads of the tyres carcass it’s time to fit a new one. Even if not worn check for cuts in the thread or sidewall. Remove any glass, thorns or debris embedded in the tyre with a screwdriver or knife before they work their way further in and cause a puncture.

Don’t ride in the gutter

There’s always more debris and potholes at the side of the road. Avoid riding over it. For other safety reasons the Government recommends you cycle about a meter from the kerb anyway.

Debris also gathers near the centre of the road, so avoid riding there and if you need to cross it look for gaps where there’s less debris.