Why am I having to pump my bike tyres weekly?

Inazuma · 11 Feb 2014 at 07:53

My tyres (well tubes to be more exact) seem to be seeping air out and I have to pump them up once a week. Does anyone know how or why this could be happening? Is it normal? They are 700c road tubes.

Destination · 11 Feb 2014 at 07:54

Valve issue? Slow puncture?

Benihana · 11 Feb 2014 at 07:58

Sounds like a slow puncture, you can try covering the tyre in soapy water and see if any bubbles are forming, or just change the inner tube as they are cheap and its pretty easy.

Halestorm · 11 Feb 2014 at 08:00

Leaky valve, slow puncture, the cold weather does not help either.

Try using some tyre slime see if that solves the issue, should seal any punctures no matter how small without adding any excessive weight.

Failing that try a new set of tubes, i suggest Nutrak Self-Sealing Tubes, they serve me well, even had a nail go through the sidewall once and they held up against that

joeyjojo · 11 Feb 2014 at 08:11

I've had inner tubes that wouldn't hold air for no good reason, just luck of the draw I think.

Andelusion · 11 Feb 2014 at 08:19

Is it actually going flat after a week or just a bit soft?

Tubes will lose air a little bit over time, if your innertubes are fairly old then the valve might be starting to leak.

I check my pressures before each ride (mountain bike) so it would not be an issue for me personally

Mr Jack · 11 Feb 2014 at 08:28

You should be pumping your tyres weekly anyway, even without problems. Probably you need a new inner tube if they're going flat in that timespan.

Inazuma · 11 Feb 2014 at 08:43

Not flat, but if I grip the wheel with my palm I can feel it's much softer than after a fresh pump.

platypus · 11 Feb 2014 at 08:44

Mr Jack said:
You should be pumping your tyres weekly anyway, even without problems.

Why?

TaKeN · 11 Feb 2014 at 08:53

Having seen and ridden a few bikes in my time, I'm inclined to believe your tyres are losing air.

Mr Jack · 11 Feb 2014 at 08:56

platypus said:
Why?

Because the tubes on bikes are more permeable than those on cars and should be kept at a higher pressure. For example my bike - with brand new inner tubes - drops from 70psi to about 60psi across the course of a week. Keeping the tyres hard improves braking performance, lowers rolling resistance and keeps your tyres healthy for longer.

Mr Jack · 11 Feb 2014 at 08:57

Inazuma said:
Not flat, but if I grip the wheel with my palm I can feel it's much softer than after a fresh pump.

How much is it dropping off by? Do you have a proper pump with a pressure gauge on it? If not, get one.

platypus · 11 Feb 2014 at 09:29

Mr Jack said:
Because the tubes on bikes are more permeable than those on cars and should be kept at a higher pressure. For example my bike - with brand new inner tubes - drops from 70psi to about 60psi across the course of a week. Keeping the tyres hard improves braking performance, lowers rolling resistance and keeps your tyres healthy for longer.

I do, on average, 200 miles a week. I don't experience a PSI drop of 10 or more, and don't need to pump my tyres weekly.

pitchfork · 11 Feb 2014 at 09:39

Far be it from me to suggest the logical but change them/ look for the punctures then OP?

ci_newman · 11 Feb 2014 at 09:57

OP you have a leak. Repair or replace as required.

Inazuma · 11 Feb 2014 at 10:00

SLIME recommended?

jas72 · 11 Feb 2014 at 10:26

Fill the tyres with helium and fly to work.

Andelusion · 11 Feb 2014 at 10:26

Nope.

RoboCod · 11 Feb 2014 at 10:50

Is this thread serious?? Surely not.

tom_e · 11 Feb 2014 at 10:53

Inazuma said:
SLIME recommended?

To fix this particular problem or as a preventative measure for the future?
For this problem I'd take the tube out pump it up and stick it in a washing up bowl full of water and look for bubbles then either replace it or fix it if you find air is escaping, then you can look at sticking some slime in just in case.