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Whether a beginner or a veteran, every cyclist should know how to deflate a bike tire. If you encounter a flat tire in a race or ride, it is necessary to deflate tires to remove them from the rim correctly.
However, many cyclists don’t know how to do this. This article includes easy step-by-step guides for you to follow, depending on your tire’s valve type.
Bike Tire Pressure Explained
Bike tire pressure is measured in terms of psi or pounds per square inch, and the standard range is generally 60 -100. As you add air into the tire, the higher the pressure level will be.
Rolling resistance, on the other hand, is a force that resists motion when you’re rolling your bike. The more air in the tire, the higher up on this scale it will be, and therefore, there is more resistance to motion.
In flat tires, reducing this pressure down to 20 psi can reduce resistance by 50%! However, if you go too low with the psi (less than 20), the flat tire will be more prone to punctures.
Reasons to Deflate a Bike Tire
There are several reasons why one would deflate bike tires. If you flat out, your need to replace the inner tube.
For a more comfortable ride on flat terrain or road conditions that require less rolling resistance, you might want to let the air out of your tires. You can do this by opening up the air release valve, which is usually located on the side of your tire.
You may also deflate a tire if it’s not holding pressure well (if it goes flat really fast). This might be an indication that you need a new bike tire or an inner tube, but it’s also possible that the sealant has worn out.
Sealants are used to coat flat areas of your tire and prevent flat tires due to punctures in these areas, so when they wear out, flat tires become more likely.
If this is the case for you (if your flat tire is due to a sealant issue), you can add more or replace the existing one. This process will vary depending on what kind of bike tire and how it’s constructed.
You might also deflate your tires if you’re going for maximum speed. If there isn’t any air in the tire, it will roll more easily. This is especially important if you’re on a flat or downhill stretch of road, but deflating your bike tires can also increase speed for non-level surfaces.
How to Deflate a Bike Tire
Before you deflate your flat tire, make sure you have a pump or an air canister on hand. You will also need something to stand the bike up with so that it’s not falling over and possibly getting scratched by rocks or other sharp objects!
Also, pay attention to the valve type to determine which procedure to follow, but generally, you can deflate a tire following these steps:
Step 1: Find a Flat Surface
Move the bike to flat ground, if possible. This will help keep your bike safe from damage.
Step 2: Reduce Pressure
Reduce pressure by 50%. Release some air from your tires until they are halfway deflated (for optimal rolling speed). Using the gauge, check that the psi doesn’t go too low (below 20 psi.)
Step 3: Replace the Bike Tire
Remove the flat tire and replace it with another one. You can do this by taking out both quick-release levers simultaneously or by loosening a single side and sliding it out.
Step 4: Inflate the Flat Tire
Inflate the tire until it’s at your preferred psi level.
Deflating a Bike Tire with a Schrader Valve
If you’re wondering how to deflate a bike tire with a Presta valve, deflating it is more of an art than the science that goes into deflating Presta valves.
First off, let us be clear about one thing – you cannot simply use an air compressor or pump to deflate a flat tire with a Schrader valve.
Using the quick-release levers, remove both the bike wheel and flat tire together.
Using the flat head of a screwdriver, deflate the flat tire. This can be done by either pushing down on the metal stem or pulling it up, depending on how your bike is designed. Repeat this step until the flat tire is at desired psi level (20 psi), then move to Step Three.
Next, put everything back in place. Once done, inflate the flat tire using an air compressor or pump until it reaches your desired psi level.
Push down on a metal stem with the flat head of a screwdriver or by pulling it up. Don’t forget to close the Schrader valve all the way.
Deflating a Bike Tire with a Presta Valve
This section will teach you how to deflate a bike tire with a Presta valve.
If your flat tire has a Presta valve, you can deflate it quickly. First, remove the flat tire from the rim. Next, using an air compressor or pump, put air into the flat tire.
Then, turn the Presta valve all the way to close and use a screwdriver to open it up again for deflating the flat tire. Repeat this step until the flat tire is at your desired psi level.
How to Fix a Punctured Bicycle Tire
If you don’t have flat tire equipment on hand, but find yourself with a punctured bike tire, follow these steps to fix it:
Step 1: Stop the Bike!
You’ll want to stop riding your bicycle as soon as possible if you hear a hissing sound. This is caused by air coming out of a punctured tire. This is important because stopping before this happens can prevent flat tires and flat tire punctures.
Step 2: Remove the Tube
If you’ve already stopped, remove your bicycle’s wheel by loosening both sides of the quick-release levers. Once this is done, remove it from beneath your bike frame and take out the tube (innermost part). Should there be any visible holes in the tire, patch them up with a flat repair kit!
Step 3: Find the Puncture
Use your fingers to feel for objects that may have punctured the tube. There might be more than one hole or tear.
Step 4: Remove Any External Objects
Take out anything that may have caused the flat by poking it with your fingers or using pliers to pull them out. This includes small rocks and glass.
Step 5: Use Tire Sealant
If you have flat tire equipment on hand, use it to put sealant into the flat tube. This can be done by putting your finger over one hole and filling up the inside with liquid until nothing more will go through. Repeat this step for every punctured area! Then, put the flat tire back into place and get moving!
Bike Maintenance Tips for Flat Tires
Do not put your flat tire in the trunk. If your flat is still covered with glass or other sharp objects, it can puncture through to another area of your bike and cause more damage.
Flat tire in your vehicle often means uncertain wait time in the middle of a highway questioning your mortality.
— Dr. Natalia Barbour (@natalia_barbour) October 28, 2021
Flat tire on your bike = nice walk home. pic.twitter.com/hIiBsX5Q9a
Do not ride flat tires for long periods! Riding on flat tires causes extra wear and tear on the rest of your components.
Be careful when riding flat tires in wet conditions – they have less grip on the road and can cause you to lose control of your bike.
Always replace flat tires as soon as possible to avoid further damage. They can also be dangerous and cause you or others around you harm.
What to Know Before You Deflate Your Bike Tire
After learning how to deflate a bike tire, there are a few things you need to know before actually doing it.
If you flat out and don’t have a spare tire, you will need to remove the flat tire and replace it with another one.
If there is debris in the valve area of your flat tube, make sure that it gets removed before adding more air. Otherwise, the flat tube will start to deflate again after you’ve put some air back in it completely.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deflating Bike Tires
How Do I Let the Air out of Bike Tires with Schrader Valves?
Schrader valves are the valve type that you will find on most road bike tires. Deflating a bike tire with a Schrader valve is done by opening up your quick-release levers and unscrewing the nut under them to let the air out of the flat tube.
If I Let Too Much Air out of My Flat Bike Tire, Can I Add More?
If you deflated a road bike flat tire or a mountain bike flat tire to the point where it’s at your preferred psi level for flat terrain, then adding air back into your flat tube will be easy.
How to Let the Air out of a Bike Tire That’s Been Overinflated?
You can deflate a bike tire that’s been overinflated by letting air out. You simply remove air through the flat tube through a valve stem.
How Do I Deflate a Bike Tire with a Presta Valve?
To deflate a tire with a Presta valve, you will need to unscrew the top of the pump head by twisting it in an anti-clockwise direction. You can then place your thumb on the opening and push downwards until you remove air from the tire completely. Screw the valve cap back into place.
Deflating Bicycle Tires Correctly
Knowing how to deflate a bike tire is as important as how to fill bike tires when it comes to ensuring your riding safety. Once you have mastered both, flat tires would be easier to handle.
If you have more questions on the topic, feel free to leave us a comment. For more bike maintenance tips, check out the new posts on this blog!
