Most flats are caused by a pinch or tear of the inner tube where it interacts with the rim and/or bead of the tire. Pinch flats are a lot more common when running low tire pressures and is why most riders avoid low tire pressure. The first type pinch flat (TYPE 1 PINCH FLAT below) occurs when the bead of the tire is knocked inward from its seat in the rim. When this occurs the bead of the tire catches the inner tube in the rim causing a pinch or tear. Tube Saddle® eliminates this type of pinch flat by isolating the tube from the rim and bead of the tire. The second type tube pinch (TYPE 2 PINCH FLAT below) occurs when bottoming the tire into the rim. When this occurs the inner tube is “sandwiched” on itself inside the tire around the bead of the tire and rim. When the impact is sufficient, the inner tube tears at the sandwich point. At the rim lock (not shown), this type of pinch flat is much more likely to occur. Tube Saddle® eliminates this type of pinch flat by providing a layer of foam material in the “sandwich” region that is softer than the inner tube. Tube Saddle® absorbs and dissipates the impact, and if anything tears it is the foam material, not the inner tube. Tube Saddle® isolates your inner tube from the rim, the bead of the tire, and the rim lock.
How it works / Install / Tech tips
The complete rider guide
Tube Saddle® isolates the inner tube from the rim, bead, and rim lock, then gives riders a familiar install path and a practical way to diagnose flat tire failures.
Most flats are caused by a pinch or tear of the inner tube where it interacts with the rim and/or bead of the tire. Pinch flats are a lot more common when running low tire pressures, and that is why most riders avoid low tire pressure.
Type 1 Pinch Flat
The bead of the tire is knocked inward from its seat in the rim. When this occurs, the bead catches the inner tube in the rim causing a pinch or tear. Tube Saddle® eliminates this type by isolating the tube from the rim and bead of the tire.
Type 2 Tube Pinch
The tire bottoms into the rim, sandwiching the inner tube inside the tire around the bead and rim. Tube Saddle® provides a softer foam layer in that sandwich region, absorbing and dissipating the impact.
Lower pressure. More traction. Total control.
Protect the tube, then tune the tire
The insert protects the tube from the rim, the bead of the tire, and the rim lock, allowing riders to run lower tire pressures and unlock more traction without the same pinch-flat exposure.
Rock
8-11 psi
Impact confidence where rim strikes normally punish tubes.
Roots
8-10 psi
Stay planted and reduce deflection in technical single track.
Sand
8-10 psi
Float and find forward drive with a larger tire footprint.
Loam
10-12 psi
Balanced traction, stability, and feel for fast trail riding.
Desert
10-14 psi
High-speed confidence when the trail gets hammered and rocky.
Install
If you can install a tube and tire, you can install Tube Saddle®
Tube Saddle® installs with the inner tube and tire. It takes a little bit more time, like 2-4 minutes more, and the final bead pull may be a little more difficult.
The benefit is that Tube Saddle® also helps prevent pinching your inner tube with a tire iron during installation or un-installation.
Use the familiar inner-tube and tire install process, adding Tube Saddle® as the protective foam flap.
02
Advanced easy way
For heavy-duty tubes, use the slower method referenced in the FAQ so the tube and insert stay aligned.
03
Lube and check
Use tire-and-tube lube, seat the bead cleanly, and check valve angle, rim lock position, and tube movement.
Tech Tips / Edition 1
Do not just change the tube. Read what failed.
Flat Tire Forensics 101 separates common tube failures into patterns riders can inspect: impact pinches, outside punctures, rim-lock valve-stem tears, and heat or friction damage from installation and setup issues.
Match the damage to the cause, then change the tire pressure, tube choice, rim-lock setup, lube, or protective layer that created the problem in the first place.
Pinch zone Puncture path Tube Saddle barrier
Failure patterns
Quick field diagnosis
Inspect the tube, tire carcass, rim strip, rim lock, and bead area together, because the cause is often visible only when the parts are lined back up.
01
Pinch Flat
A hard impact compresses the tire into the rim or bead area and cuts or tears the tube.
Often appears as paired cuts or a folded tear
More likely at lower pressure without enough protection
Check for rim strikes and bead movement
02
Puncture Flat
A sharp object passes through the tire and opens the tube from the outside in.
Look for a single clean hole in the tube
Line the tube up with the tire to find the object path
Inspect the casing before installing a replacement tube
03
Rim Lock Tear
Tube movement near the rim lock can stress the valve stem until it tears.
Damage centers near the valve stem
Often points to movement, alignment, or clamping trouble
Verify rim-lock position and valve angle
04
Friction and Heat
Install damage, dry contact, or sustained friction can weaken the tube until it fails.
Look for scuffed, abraded, or cooked-looking rubber
Use lube and avoid pinching the tube with tire irons
Match pressure and tire choice to the ride conditions
Original tech documents
Open the workshop PDFs
Part 1
Pinch Flat and Puncture Flat
Compare impact-related tube tears with true outside punctures, then inspect the tire and rim for the matching clue.
