General tyre and tube maintenance

General tyre and tube maintenance

If you own a car or a bicycle, then you will be aware of the importance of tyre maintenance.

Failure to properly maintain tyres to a manufacturers specification is going to result in a couple of issues for the owner of any kind of vehicle with air filled tyres. The first the performance of the vehicle is reduced which in turn can mean the vehicles safety is reduced.

The second is the cost to run deflated (or overinflated) tyres. This can be expensive not only due to the quicker wear they experience, but also due to the high fuel consumption needed to operate them., or the extra pedal power needed to keep the bicycle moving!

Tyres on a stroller are no different in theory. Sure, there is less weight on them, but a tyre is a tyre and they all function under the same rules.

What is a tyre, tube and wheel?

  • wheel - this is the hard plastic component, sometimes called a rim.
  • tyre - this is the outer piece of rubber that actually comes into contact with the road
  • tube - this is the inner piece of rubber that is inflated between the wheel and the tyre. It is the part that has the valve attached

tyres and tubes can be replaced separately for ongoing maintenance as they do wear down over time. Wheels are supplied complete with the wheel and tyre attached.

If you are having any trouble replacing a tyre or tube, visit your local bicycle shop, they're basically the same as any bicycle tyre, just a little smaller in some cases.

Our warranty policy does not cover tube punctures or general wear and tear of tyres.

General tyre and tube tips:
  • The valve is just like you'll find on car tyres or bicycle tyres. With a standard pump found in many households, manually inflate to 20 – 22psi max. If you do not have a pump, check out the Mountain Buggy tyre pump. DO NOT use a high-powered electric pump such as those found at service stations!
  • Releasing air gives a softer ride but lower pressure reduces tread life.
  • A softer ride is often more difficult to steer compared to more inflated tyres.
  • New inner tubes and tyres are available from Mountain Buggy, and also generally available (21/4” x 121/2” tyre) from your dealer, cycle or specialist wheel shops.
  • Standard tyre kits can repair punctures, as well as the maintenance kit
  • A flat tyre can result from grit holding the valve open; to check: inflate tyre, deflate rapidly, and re-inflate.
  • Tyre pressure is affected by heat especially when inside parked cars. Do not over inflate your tyres, and if you live in a hot climate reduce the inflation by a couple of psi to allow for heat expansion.
  • Rubber tyres can react with some surfaces if left in contact for long periods of time (including but not limited to vinyl floors coverings, carpets, synthetic laminates, parquet and linoleum) and cause stains. Always stand the stroller on a protective surface when indoors.
  • Leaving tyres sitting on concrete for an extended period of time can also develop 'flat spots' which could cause a bumpy or bouncy riding experience. The concrete draws moisture out of the rubber...this is also a handy tip for your own car!

Got a puncture? We have some handy instructions on how to fix this so you can get back on the road!!

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