As an online purveyor of bike tires, you might say that flats are our arch nemesis. Nothing ruins a ride faster than the sound of air escaping your brand new rubber. So let's talk about prevention. We're sorry, as they say, for the novel; we would have written a shorter article if we had more time. There's a lot to say.
Chapter One
Bigger Tires — One of the easiest (and cheapest) ways to help prevent punctures is by riding wider tires at lower pressure. Dropping 5-10 PSI can help you roll over objects that might puncture a rock-hard tire with less ability to conform around it. But beware that lower pressure can make you more prone to pinch flats, so take extra care with bumps.
Chapter Two
Tougher Tires — Flats are as old as pneumatic tires themselves, and manufacturers have had a long time to work on the problem. Tires like the Continental Gatorskin and Schwalbe Marathon have thick layers of puncture protection and can help prevent many flats, especially from smaller thorns & pieces of glass. But those puncture layers come at the cost of weight & rolling resistance. For a faster-riding tire that still offers decent protection, check out the Continental Grand Prix 4-Season or Vittoria Rubino.
Chapter Three
Liners — If you're running tubes, liners like Mr. Tuffys help prevent a surprising number of flats. Some say a liner with a faster, more supple race tire is, in fact, superior to puncture protection built into the tire. Sharp objects can puncture the tire but be stopped by the inner layer without puncturing the tube. Liners are great for protection from sharp objects on the road, but generally do not help against sidewall punctures or pinch flats. Insider tip: taping the seams can help prevent abrasion on the tube over time.
Chapter Four
Tubeless — Let's not beat around the bush, there is no better way to say goodbye to flats than a solid tubeless setup. The latex sealant that coats the rim/tire interface also seals up many small punctures and the lack of a tube means pinch flats are rare. In areas like the Southwest where thorny cacti & goatheads are common, tubeless is de rigeur. But it's also the choice for almost all serious MTB & gravel cyclists, and a growing number of road cyclists everywhere. For a bomb-proof setup, opt for an extra durable tubeless-ready tire like the Continental Grand Prix 5000 AS TR, the Vittoria RideArmor TLR or the Michelin Power Protection TLR.
Epilogue
The Bad News — No matter how far you get in your fight against flat tires, the bad guys always win. At some point, you are going to have to deal with a roadside fix, so ensure you have a solid flat kit to prevent the absolute worst-case scenario: the phone call of shame. For tubed setups, patch kits can serve as a last line of defense. For tubeless, most major incidents can be addressed with repair kits like DynaPlugs or the new WTB TCS Rocket. And everyone should carry an extra tube or two, plus at least one tire lever and portable inflation.
Written by Ben Hubbird Published on July 22nd, 2025