Tubeless Tire Burping: How to Diagnose and Fix

Tubeless tires have become a staple in modern road, gravel, and mountain biking for their puncture resistance and improved ride feel. However, one common issue riders face is tire burping—when air escapes between the bead and the rim under pressure. Left unchecked, burping can compromise performance, safety, and reliability. This article explores the causes, diagnosis, and practical solutions to this problem.

What Is Tubeless Tire Burping?

Burping occurs when the tire bead temporarily loses contact with the rim, causing a sudden escape of air. Unlike a full blowout or puncture, burping usually results in partial air loss, but repeated incidents can make the tire unstable and difficult to trust.

Common Causes of Burping

Low Tire Pressure
Running excessively low pressures can cause the tire to squirm under lateral forces, breaking the bead seal.

Improper Bead Seating
If the bead has not fully locked into the rim’s hook or shelf, it may lift under cornering or impacts.

Incompatible Tire–Rim Combination
Not all tubeless tires fit all rims perfectly. Slight mismatches in bead diameter or rim width can increase the risk.

Aggressive Riding Conditions
Hard cornering, rock strikes, or landings after jumps increase sidewall stress and may trigger burping.

Damaged Rim or Tire Bead
Small dents in aluminum rims or carbon bead seat imperfections can compromise the airtight seal.

How to Diagnose Burping

Sudden Partial Pressure Drop: Tire feels noticeably soft after a corner or impact.

Visible Sealant Spray: Wet streaks of sealant on the rim or frame indicate bead leakage.

Audible Hiss: A short burst of air escaping during lateral loading is a telltale sign.

Loose Bead Movement: If you can press the tire sidewall inward easily, it may not be seated properly.

Fixing and Preventing Burping

Re-seat the Tire Bead

Deflate the tire completely, add a small amount of sealant, and reinflate at high pressure (within manufacturer limits) to pop the bead into place.

Adjust Tire Pressure

Increase air pressure slightly to balance grip and bead security, especially for aggressive riders.

Check Compatibility

Always confirm that both tire and rim are officially tubeless-compatible and fall within recommended width ranges.

Use a Tubeless-Specific Rim Tape

Poor sealing from worn or misapplied tape can exacerbate bead instability.

Consider a Tire Insert

Foam inserts provide bead support, reduce sidewall deflection, and act as a safety buffer against rim strikes.

Inspect for Damage

Replace tires with frayed beads or rims with dents that compromise airtightness.

Final Thoughts

Tubeless burping can be frustrating, but it’s almost always preventable with proper setup and maintenance. Ensuring correct bead seating, compatible components, and optimal tire pressure will minimize risks. For riders pushing equipment to the limit, inserts or sturdier tires may provide extra insurance.