I had a little accident when I couldn't slow down enough with my bike  and the front tire hit the curb. I didn't think of anything at the moment or that it was anything major, plus I was close to home so I rode it back. The next day I took it out for a spin when I noticed the tire was flat. When I took a look at it the side of the tire, about 1/3 of it was pushed in. The bead has been pushed in.

Could such a problem lead to a flat tire?
I rode around it for like a minute, could that have damaged the tire?
If I pumped it up with air will it reseat itself or would I have to reseat it myself before putting air into it? Any recommendation on how to do that?

Any and all comment is appreciated.

Thank you.

Is the wheel bent at all? If so, replace it.

If the wheel is ok, you may be able to fix the bead on the bike. Jack up the front end somehow, deflate the tire, and put some kind of lube around the bead (they make a tire lube specifically for cycle tires). Use and air compressor and inflate the tire, keeping an eye on the bead - it should seat evenly around the wheel.

Or just take it to a good tire shop - they have probably seen this a thousand times.

The wheel is ok, I checked it and doesn't look like anything is bent.

So after lubing the bead, it should pop back into place when I pump it?

Yes. But I suggest you don't go over the max pressure stamped on the sidewall.

Any suggestions on re-seating the bead of the tire? I believe this is causing the flat. I tried pumping it with air and its leaking from the opening.

You'll need to use a compressor. A hand pump can't get air in the tire fast enough to seal the bead. Or maybe there's something caught between the wheel and tire?

Gas station pump can do the job? Is it safe to push the bike to a gas station? I'm not comfortable taking the wheel off, though the job doesn't look too difficult.

I always had to take the wheel to a gas ststion to set the bead when I changed my own tires.  I had a couple of those 12v pumps that plug into a car accesorie socket but they would never set a bead, just good for topping up tires.  Only takes a few minutes to pull the front wheel so I wouldn't push the bike anywhere.

Quote from: hedgehog88 on July 12, 2012, 05:26:40 AM
Any suggestions on re-seating the bead of the tire? I believe this is causing the flat. I tried pumping it with air and its leaking from the opening.

A little flammable spray (sprayed in the tire) and a candle lighter or propane torch will do the trick. Takes 5 seconds and your bead will seat and you'll even have some air in the tire. This is the ONLY way I've ever seated a bead. Search youtube for guidance.

The issue is that you DONT KNOW if the tyre is damaged on the inside  It needs to be taken off the wheel and inspected by someone who knows what a damaged tyre looks like. While its off the wheel needs to be checked for run-out, hairline cracks and damage to the rim and sealing area.

Or.....you could take a gamble, pump it up and hope for the best.

I know what I would do but hey......its your call 

I'd also check the forks. Just to be sure you haven't slightly bent them.

Michael