Flat tyres can plague mountain bikers, and make a ride terrible. Here are some options to help you ride flat free!
Ok - so we can't make flat tyres completely disappear. But by really nailing your tubeless setup and following some of our tips, flat tyres can be far less frequent, keeping you on your bike and on the trails more often.
Here at AMB we think the best way to prevent flat tyres is to take tubes out of the equation. This isn't everyone's choice but it works for us
First up - don't miss the tips from Summit Cycles Sydney about tubeless setup - they have decades of experience and know what works, what doesn't, and what some of us always mess up.
Are your rims tubeless compatible?
No seriously, are they? Not every rim seals easily, some require rubber rim strips. Joes No Flats do a Universal Tubeless Kit ($64.95) that has yellow tape to cover spoke holes, then rubber rim strips to trim to size. Along with sealant, valves, a spare valve core, valve remover, presta to schrader adaptor, some bead lubricant and instructions - this kit should let you set up just about any wheel.

What condition is your rim tape in?
The rim tape that covers your spoke holes needs to be airtight. If you see sealant leaking out around your valve - the tape probably has a problem. Tape can get damaged when fitting or removing a tyre, or when sealant starts to get under the edges and it lifts. Some tape is so thin it's easy to damage it, even with a tyre lever.

Make sure the rim is completely clean and dry. We recommend something like Ride Mechanic Avaqua. It's a good cleaner, but it's an alcohol based one that dries with no residue. Ask your local bike shop to get some in if they don't have it.

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