【3 Easiest Way】How to Seat and Inflate a Tubeless Tire

Bicycles with tubeless tires, which lack an inner tube and therefore have a lower risk of blowouts, have become one of the most commonly used vehicles accessory in the world and are loved by many cyclists. However, many people are troubled by the question, "How to inflate a tubeless tire?" Whether you're a cycling enthusiast or need a reliable bike for daily commuting, it's essential to master these skills. In this article, I will introduce 3 ways to seat and fill tubeless tires and share some tips. Let's get started!

Part 1. How to Seat a Tubeless Tire?

With the right approach, it’s very easy to seat a tubeless tire for you. After the tire is mounted on the rim, lightly spray both beads with diluted soapy water. Then, you can usually use a good floor pump to hold the beads in place, remove the valve core, and do not apply sealant. Next, add sealant through the valve stem, install the valve core, and then inflate.

Note: Do not place the tire on the ground to disassemble the tire to remove the inner tube, but pull the tire off the rim with the wheel hanging. If you place the rim and wheel on the ground to inflate, the tire will deform, making inflation more difficult.

Part 2. How to Air Up a Tubeless Tire ?

There are 3 ways to air up a tubeless tire, with these methods, you’re ready to ride your bike with a securely tubeless tire!

2.1 Use a Floor Pump

Step 1: Clean the rim first

The first step is to clean the rim first. This will make the contact between the rim and the tire strong enough to withstand any pressure. Use a clean dry rag for this process. Some people use water and soap, but I don't recommend it. In most cases, the sealant is already there, but if not, you need to add it.

Step 2: Make sure the valve is correctly

Now you need to make sure the valve is in the right position. It needs to be at the 3 or 9 o'clock position. This is necessary for a perfect assembly. Pay attention to the valve core and the valve stem. If they are damaged, you will not be able to complete the process.

Step 3: Remove the valve core

So you can get more air through the valve and seat the tire. When you remove the chuck, the air will come out and you can reinstall the valve core and inflate the tire normally.

Step 4: Secure the tire properly

Before we start to inflate the flat tire, we need to secure it first so that it doesn't leak. I prefer to secure the flat tire with a tie. Tie the tire tightly with any material you want. The length of the tie should be comparable to the length of the tire. Whatever material you use to secure the tire will be useful when inflating the tire.

Step 4: Inflate the tire

Attach the floor pump securely to the valve. Then inflate the tire quickly and forcefully. The quick bursts of air help the tire bead snap into place. Before you start to inflate, make sure the tire is sealed. When the pressure is high enough, a seal will form between the tire and the rim.

Recommended Tire Pressure Levels

Each type of bike requires specific PSI levels. You should make sure to follow them when inflating your tires with a bike pump:

● Road Bikes: 80-130 PSI

● Mountain Bikes: 30 PSI

● Hybrid Bikes: 40-70 PSI

2.2 Use a Portable Tire Inflator [The Most Recommended]

Compared with using a floor pump, I recommend using a portable air compressor ortire inflator. Say goodbye to traditional floor pumps. The AstroAI L7 portable air compressor can solve the problem of inflating tubeless tires without any effort.

Portability

Traditional floor pumps are generally larger and may require more storage space. In contrast, the AstroAI L7 is compact and lightweight, weighing less than 1 pound, making it easy to carry and store, even in limited spaces.

Power Source

Floor pumps rely on manual operation and do not require an external power source. On the other hand, the AstroAI L7 is battery-powered with a built-in 4000mAh battery, capable of inflating up to 8 tires on a full charge.

Maximum Pressure

Traditional floor pumps typically offer a maximum pressure of up to 120 PSI. The AstroAI L7 surpasses this with a maximum pressure of 150 PSI, making it suitable for a wide range of applications, including bikes, cars, motorcycles, and other inflatables like air mattresses and balls.

Inflation Speed

The inflation speed of a floor pump depends on the user’s physical effort. The AstroAI L7, however, saves time and effort by providing 17L/min of airflow, capable of inflating a 195/65R15 tire from 30 to 36 PSI in just 1.5 minutes.

Ease of Use

Using a traditional floor pump requires physical exertion, while the AstroAI L7 is equipped with smart features like preset functions, auto-off capability, and multiple modes tailored for different inflation needs, making it much easier to operate.

Additional Features

Basic floor pumps may lack extra features, although some advanced models include pressure gauges. The AstroAI L7 goes further with a digital display, a multifunctional LED flashlight with various modes, and USB ports for charging devices.

How to use AstroAI L7 portable air compressor?

Step 1. Turn on the product and press the Settings Button to switch between the 5 inflation modes: cars, motorcycles, bicycles, basketballs, and custom mode. Press and hold the settings button to switch units between PSl, Bar, kPa, andkg/cm².

Step 2. Press the"+”and"-"Buttons to set the pressure value. Press and hold a button to rapidly change the pressure value. After choosing the desire dvalue,the number will blink three times and be set.

Step 3. Screw the quick connector onto the quick connector port of the product. And remove the valve cap from the tire valve stem and attach the quick connector to the valve stem.

Step 4. When the quick connector is connected to the inflatables and powered on, the screen will display the inflatable's real-time pressure value.

2.3 Use a CO₂ Inflator

Using a CO2 inflator is definitely a convenient solution in an emergency. It’s a quick and effortless method: All you need to do is to simply attach the inflator head to the valve stem and twist or press it. Compact and roughly the size of a thumb, it’s easy to store and carry. However, using a CO2 inflator can affect natural latex sealant. The CO2 can lower the pH of the sealant, leading to premature drying and reducing the lifespan of the tubeless tire.

What You’ll Need:

● A CO₂ inflator head

● A CO₂ cartridge (compatible with your inflator head)

● The tire or tube to inflate (with a compatible valve: Presta or Schrader)

How to use a CO₂ inflator?

Step 1. Prepare the valve

For Presta valves, unscrew and slightly open the valve core.For Schrader valves, remove the valve cap.

Step 2. Install the CO2 cartridge and inflator

Secure the CO2 cartridge onto the inflator head. Press or twist the inflator onto the valve until it is securely fastened.

Step 3. Inflate the tire

Activate the inflation button (lever, twist, or knob) to release the CO2. Inflate the tire to the desired pressure. This usually takes only a few seconds.

Step 4. Finish

Remove the inflator, tighten or cap the valve, and dispose of the used cartridge.

Part 3. FAQ about Tubeless Bike Tire

1 What's The Difference Between Tube and Tubless Tires?

Frequency of Flats:

Tubes are more prone to flats, while tubeless greatly reduces this risk. Tubeless setups can even self-repair small flats when paired with sealants.

Sealant Function:

Tube tires do not use sealants, so flats need to be repaired manually. In contrast, tubeless relies on sealants to automatically seal small flats, depending on the size of the hole and the quality of the sealant.

Pinching (Snakebite):

Pinning, also known as snakebite, is a common problem with tubes, especially when hitting sharp edges. Tubeless eliminates this problem entirely.

Comfort and Tire Pressure:

Tubes require higher pressures to avoid pinching, which results in a bumpier ride. However, tubeless tires allow for lower pressures, providing a more comfortable and cushioned ride.

Rolling Resistance:

Tubes have higher rolling resistance, which can make it more difficult to maintain speed and momentum. Tubeless tires are able to conform to the ground better, providing lower rolling resistance and smoother momentum over bumpy surfaces.

Off-road Performance:

Tube tires are more susceptible to damage from rocks, jumps, and other off-road obstacles. Tubeless tires excel in off-road conditions by absorbing shocks and maintaining better durability.

2 How Long Do Tubeless Tires Last?

The lifespan of a tubeless tire depends on many factors, including how it is used and maintained. Tubeless tires can self-repair small damage, but their sealants need to be replaced from time to time. There are also two types of sealants.

● Fiber-based sealants - 8,000+ miles

● Latex-based sealants - up to 8,000 miles

If you are going to travel long distances, I recommend using a fiber-based sealant.

3 What Kind of Air is Filled in a Tubeless Tire?

Tubeless tires are often filled with nitrogen for keeping them cooler.

4 Can I Put a Tube in a Tubeless Tire?

Yes, you can put a tube in a tubeless tire.

5 What are the Benefits of Using Tubeless Tires?

Nowadays, tubeless tires have become a common accessory on most vehicles. The pros of tubeless tires far outweigh the cons, and that’s the reason why cars, bikes and SUVs come equipped with tubeless tires. One of the biggest advantages of tubeless tires is that failures caused by tire deflation are greatly reduced. Since there is no inner tube, the tire will leak very slowly. Therefore, drivers can go to a nearby tire repair shop or tire store to fix the problem instead of being stranded on the road.

Another reason why tubeless tires are popular with drivers is that they are run cooler. That may be cause safety concerns when driving at high speeds, but it also reduces the risk of a flat tire.

Conclusion

This article introduces 3 ways to air up a tubeless tire. I recommend using the AstroAI L7 tire inflator, which can help you quickly inflate your tires in just 5 minutes. Whether you are a cycling enthusiast or just for daily tire maintenance, it can meet your needs right now.