A gradual loss of air pressure in bike tires is a common phenomenon. Especially those who are irregular riders suddenly notice that the tire air pressure has decreased while riding the bike. To get rid of this problem, many people want to know if tubeless tires lose air overnight.
Besides leaks, many other reasons can cause a tire to lose air. A tire’s air pressure can drop an average of 0.5 to 1.0 psi per month at a typical ambient temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit. But at 90 degrees Fahrenheit, the tire can lose 1.5 psi of air pressure per month. That is, if the ambient temperature is high, the amount of air in the tire decreases faster automatically.
In this article, I will discuss the air pressure loss of tubeless tires. If your bike has tubeless tires or you are planning to use tubeless tires, then this content is going to be a very useful and wise choice for you.
Is It Normal For Tubeless Tires To Lose Air At Night?
Yes, it is normal for tubeless tires to lose air at night.
Tires with tubes have a reputation for losing air less quickly than tube tires. This can be embarrassing most of the time, as no one likes to be hitting a pump in their tires frequently.
Tubeless bike tyre loses air overnight through weak seals. The higher the air pressure in the tires, the higher the rate of air loss. Sometimes air molecules escape between the molecules that make up the coating. Plus, a fine hole can speed up the rate of air loss. These are true not only for bike tires but for all tyres.
Why Does A Tubeless Tire Lose Air Overnight?
When a tubeless tire loses air overnight, the first thing we guess of is a leak. But apart from leakage, these tires can lose air because of several other reasons. I’ll discuss the issues in detail below.
❖ Problem With Valve
Tubeless tires can become under-inflated if the valves are not sealed properly. So, check the valve first if you have a tire deflation problem.
- Turn the collar by hand to check the tightness of the valve.
- Remove the tire and reinstall the valve properly.
- It is best to avoid using tools throughout the process, as it may damage the rim.
Sometimes, there may be cracks in the rim tape near the valve. And, these cracks can become a barrier to trapping air in tubeless tires. If this is a problem, it is better to replace the rim tape. Also, the rubber base of some valves is irregularly shaped, which is liable for losing air.
❖ Rim Tape Problem
Rim tape plays a more important role on tubeless-ready rims, usually with access holes and this helps to seal the rim very well. Applying too much force when mounting the tire can irritate the rim tape, which is one reason the tire loses air. So be sure to clean the rim and correct the tape before installing the tire.
Inflating the tire at over 50psi or the tapes not being wide enough can also be responsible for losing air. If you don’t have experience installing rim tape, get expert help.
❖ Tire Compatibility
Tubeless tires need to be perfectly aligned with the rim. Sometimes the tires are a little loose or too tight compared to the rims. In most cases, these problems are responsible for the decrease in air.
That’s why leave the new tires open for some time to straighten them. And, you can try lubricating the inner edges of the tire using soapy water and sealant. But don’t use aggressive tire levers. Because these can cause problems rather.
❖ Lack Of Enough Sealant
Sealants play a very important role in keeping the air in tubeless tires. It can prevent escaping air from fine holes in the sidewalls, rim and tire joints, or valve joints. Therefore, not using enough sealant can lead to problems with tire pressure loss.
❖ Temperature Change
When the temperature decreases, the air pressure in the tire decreases, and when the temperature increases, the air pressure also increases. Typically, a tire can lose up to 2% air when the ambient temperature drops by 10 degrees Fahrenheit. One study shows that an unused bike loses 0.5 to 1.0 psi of air pressure per month at a temperature of 70° F.
There are many areas where the difference between day and night temperatures is large, even up to 20 degrees Fahrenheit. So,
- If you suddenly notice the tire pressure is low in the morning, don’t panic.
- If the ambient temperature increases, the tire pressure will also increase slightly.
So, How Can You Fix Tubeless Tires Lose Air?
Sometimes it’s problematic to fix tubeless tires losing air. But you can do it yourself or take the help of an expert. There are 5 things you need to focus on. I will explain these in detail below.
1. Valve Stem Repairing
The valve core in the valve stem is a place where air escapes slowly.
- So, replace your tire valve core when it gets old.
- Insert the core removal tool into the stem and turn it counterclockwise and pull it apart.
- If you notice the core is old, then use a new one.
- Be sure to clean the stem thoroughly before adding any new cores.
2. Repair Valve Joint
The junction of the rim and the valve is one of the weakest points in the tubeless tire through which the tubeless tire loses pressure slowly.
- Inspect this place thoroughly.
- If you find out any problem, take the necessary action.
- And, replace the valve if necessary.
3. Check Rim Tape
Rim tape is a very important part of tubeless tires. Sometimes the rim tape breaks where the air pressure valve connects, allowing air to escape.
- Check this place out carefully.
- If the rim tape is less wide, use a wider tape or use two laps of tape.
4. Repair The Tire
If there is a problem with the tire, the air will go out, so you have to pay attention to the tire. You can repair tires in two ways; using sealant or using plug kits.
- Sealant suffices to repair minor or fine leaks.
- If a nail or something penetrates the tire and creates a large leak, it may need to be repaired using a plug kit.
But keep in mind that such repairs are temporary solutions only. So please, replace tires if they are excessively damaged or worn.
5. Rim Repairing
If the rim is bent because of an accident or any other reason, there is a possibility of air escaping from that wheel. A hydraulic assist mechanic is ideal for this type of rim repair.
- Do not use a hammer or anything like that to straighten the rims, especially if the rim is made of aluminum.
- Hammering can cause considerable damage to rims.
However, if the rim is old and leaking, you may need to replace the rim. There is no good way to repair these rims.
Well, What Is Tubeless Tire Sealant Actually?
These are special fluids, made from a latex base, which are used inside tires. The sealant automatically plugs tire punctures. This is because the sealant dries out when exposed to air. Because of this, even the smallest amount of sealant that comes out of the puncture site can harden and plug the puncture.
As Latex contains suspended particles, they stimulate the latex to dry fast. So, the sealants dry faster and seal the leaks instead of coming out through the leaks.
Then, How Often One Should Add Sealant To Tubeless Tires?
There is considerable debate about how often to add sealant to tubeless tires. The sealant inside the tire goes dry slowly with time and loses its effectiveness.
- Many recommend changing the sealant once a month.
- Again, many experts recommend changing the sealant after six months.
But it depends a lot on how much you ride the bike and what kind of road you ride on.
- If you ride your cycle regularly and cover long distances, you will need to change the sealant often.
- But if you cycle irregularly, changing the sealant after a long time won’t be a problem.
On the other hand, road or environment can play a role in the loss of sealant performance.
- In general, if you ride in wet or dusty conditions, the sealant will need to be changed more often.
- But when riding in a dry environment, sealants usually last longer.
All things considered, sealant changes will depend on the amount of riding and the riding style and environment.
Final Verdict
Tubeless tires are one of the greatest inventions of our time. These tires allow you to continue riding the bike even if there is a small leak in the tire while riding. Therefore, people prefer these types of tires in the recent arena.
And yes, Tubeless tires can indeed lose air overnight, but less of a problem than tube tires. Also, the tire air is not getting so low that you cannot ride the bike. Here, I have discussed the causes and problems of air subsidence in tubeless tires with the solution/s from my experience and knowledge. Hope this writing will help you with tubeless tyre bike maintenance.
