Why bike tire deflated overnight? [5 Best Ways Inflating Bike Tires]

Hey cyclists, flat tires are annoying, right? Yeah, it causes inefficient riding & often punctures. So, getting inflated tires is very crucial.

Sometimes the bike tire deflated overnight and you don’t have a clue what happened. So, you must know why the bike tire deflated and get a fix accordingly.

Well, we have come up with a proper guideline on inflating bike tires. Read this post to the end and follow the steps thoroughly. I hope you will learn to fix a flat & get the inflated tire on every ride.

Why bike tire deflated overnight?

It happens most of the time when there is a minor leakage on the inner tube or a problem with the valve. When there is a leakage, the air comes out slowly, and eventually, the tire deflated. Similarly, when there is a valve/valve mount problem, the bike tires deflated overnight.

However, the inner tube gets damaged severely; it’s easy to identify the puncture. But, for minor leakage, it’s a bit tricky to find where the problem is.

Yet, it’s possible to fix it if you work with patience. The rest is described later in the post. Go through it.

Quick Hacks To Avoid Flat Tire: Pumping Bike Tires Regularly

Prevention is better than cure!

Same for a bike tire. Prevent flat don’t just fix after it occurs. ‘Pumping the bike tires regularly’ is the best way to avoid flats. So do it once a week. But doing it is not enough; properly doing it is necessary. So, let’s learn how to pump up bike tires.

Firstly, you have to get the right bike pump. It can be floor or mini but consider the type of valve of your bike.

Secondly, know the required air pressure for your bike’s tires. You can find it written on the sidewall of the tire.

Thirdly, prepare the valve and set the pumping head on it. 

Lastly, pump up the tires until you achieve the optimal pressure range. Use a pressure gauge to measure it.

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How To Fix a deflated tire with 5 Steps

Even after you pump up the tires regularly, they can still get punctured. So, learn how to fix a flat tire. Get some bike repair kits so that you can do it instantly after a puncture appeared. Go step by step for fixing a flat.

Step-1: Unmount the wheel

Before starting any tire maintenance work, you must unmount the wheel from the frame or fork.

Otherwise, it will be challenging for you to handle any parts during repair. Besides, you can damage the derailleur or tire if the wheel is not off the bike. But how to take it off?

Well, most of the front wheels come with a quick-release nowadays. So it’s easy to unmount the front wheel.

But, it won’t be easy for you to unmount the rear wheel without some tool kits. So, take a screwdriver, multitool & wrenches, and follow these steps carefully.

1. If your bike has a rim brake, squeeze the brake lever to decrease the cable tension. Use a screwdriver to release the cable. If the brake features a quick release, just open it.
2. Now, loosen the hub bolts carefully with a wrench and take them out.
3. After that, shift the chain to the smallest cog and carefully remove the wheel with cassettes.
4. If you have disc brakes, no need to release them. But, ensure they don’t stick in the caliper or get damaged.

Step-2: Remove the inner tube

After taking off the wheel, you have to remove the inner tube from it. Don’t lose your energy by doing it for freehand. Get some tire levers and do the job. Follow the below steps.

1. Firstly, remove the remaining air from the tube. In the case of Presta, open the valve or push down the pin for the Schrader valve. Then press the tire to ensure no air remains inside the tube.
2. As I said, using the hand to remove the tire will be a waste of energy. Still, you can use hand pressure to unseat the tire. But, it will be applicable for wider MTB tires only.
3. Use some tire levers to pull out the tire thoroughly. Now, take the tire off the rim, push the valve down, and take the inner tube out.

Step-3: Identify the leakage

After having the tube out of the wheel, identify the cause of the puncture. If the tube has an apparent sign of damage, then it’ll be easy to mark the position. But, if it has a hidden leakage, do a search according to the following steps.

1. Pump up the tube like you regularly do and close the valve.
2. Take a big bowl full of water and dip the inflated tube on it.
3. You can identify the leakage position(s) by seeing the air bubbles coming up from the tube.
4. Take the tube out of the water and mark the leaking positions with a tap.

Freaky Tips: After identifying the leakage, you can patch it. But, sometimes, you’ll find no leakage on the tube. In case of that, the valve can be the actual culprit. So, check the valve too. If there is any problem with the valve, just replace it.

Step-4: Patch/replace the tube

Examine the damage on the inner tube. If it’s severely damaged, get a new one to replace it. Consider the type of valve before buying a new one. However, if the old tube has one or more hidden leakage, it’s better to patch than replace it. For patching, get a patching kit box ready and follow the below instruction.

1. A patching kit box contains almost everything you need to patch a tube. Nothing else will be required. Just make sure the inner tube is clean and ready to repair.
2. Clean the leaking position with sandpaper and let it dry.
3. Apply the glue on the leakage and set the patching tube. Wait until it gets dry.

Freaky Tips: Patching is more affordable than replacing tubes. But, in the middle of a ride, you can instead replace it and keep the old one for later repair. By the by, don’t forget to check the tires too. If it also gets damaged, you have to replace it.

Step-5: Prepare the wheel & reinstall it

After getting a patched or new tube, it’s time to prepare the wheel like before. Go step by step. Don’t skip or leave anything.

1. Take the new or patched tube and pump it partially. But, don’t overpump. Just make sure it can stay around the rim.
2. Insert the valve into the valve hole on the rim. Make sure it is seated straight (not in angle). After that, set the tube around the rim.
3. Now, set the tire around the rim. Make sure you enter the tube thoroughly inside it.
4. Close the tire with a tire lever. Ensure the tire sits appropriately.
5. Lastly, pump up the tire as you do regularly.

Woh! You have prepared the wheel. Now it’s time to reinstall it. Again, go step by step and leave nothing undone.

1. Make the bike stand upside down on the ground.
2. Set the wheel, brake caliper, shifter, and chain consequently
3. Lastly, tighten the hub bolts with Allen wrenches. Also, don’t forget to reset the brakes.

Frequently Asked Questions About Inflating Bike Tires

Conclusion

Maintaining the bike is an unavoidable job to do if you want smooth and efficient rides every day. Inflating the bike tire is one of the vital steps for a healthy bicycle.

Because it decreases the possibility of punctures and ensures fun rides for you.

So, doing it in the right way is most important. I hope our step-by-step guide will help you to get rid of all hassle of inflating bike tires.

Moreover, you can do bike maintenance works efficiently and save some money on repair works. So, do follow our bike repair and maintenance section.

Ride with fun!

Cheers!