How it works

All sanctioned International Bicycle Flat Tire World Series will feature the following categories:

• Women

• Men

• Non-binary

The International Bicycle Flat Tire World Series features more formal “Officially Sanctioned” Series events as well as “Flat Tire Pop-Ups”. Read on to learn the difference.

• Sanctioned Series Events: Sanctioned Series Events of the International Bicycle Flat Tire World Series will feature all official regulation equipment, tools, and layout as defined in these regulations. These Official Series Events will primarily take place at major races and festivals and will include prizes and recognition from International Bicycle Flat Tire World Series partners!

• Flat Tire Pop-Ups: Flat Tire Pop-Ups are International Bicycle Flat Tire World Series events that will follow the Ad-Hoc layout, tool, and equipment requirements as defined in our Pop-Up-specific regulations. Flat Tire World Series Pop-Ups can take place at any bike shop, cafe, brewery, school, event…anywhere. Learn more about Flat Tire Pop-Ups here

We take all of this more seriously than we maybe should. Anyhow, here’s a bunch of pretty specific detail on what you’ll be using in our Sanctioned events and what you’ll need to run a Pop-Up. And of course how everything should be laid out.

• Sanctioned Series Event Equipment

  • Pump: one (1x) SILCA Superpista Ultimate Hiro Edition pump

  • Tire Levers: two (2x) Feedback Sports Biolever Tire Levers

  • Wheel: one (1x) TBD 700c i23 wheel

  • Tire: one (1x) TBD Teravail 700x47c folding

  • Tube: two (2x) 700x35-43 (40mm valve length)

  • Timer A-frame: one (1x) IBFTWS digital timer A-Frame

• Sanctioned Series Event Layout

  • Venue: a level, even surface must be used for competition. This can include any substrate including concrete, dirt, grass, pavement, carpet, etc. A floor pump should be able to stand without issue on the surface.

  • Competitor zone: a 5’ diameter competitor zone will be cleared and/or marked on the ground using a means appropriate to the ground surface and venue requirements.

  • Pump: Pump shall be placed in the center of the competitor zone with the hose and chuck stowed/secured via the magnet on the base of the pump. The chuck should be in a disengaged/open position as close to the “closed” position without engaging, and facing away from the barrel of the pump in a 6 o’clock position.

  • Timer A-frame: The timer shall be placed at the edge of the competitor zone such that the timer control button is at minimum 3’ and a maximum 4’ from the pump located in the center of the competitor zone.

  • Tire levers: Tire levers should be placed one on each side of the timer control button. Prying side of the lever should be pointing away from the competitor with the tip facing down. 

  • Complete wheel - Tire should be mounted on the rim with both beads broken; official to perform one rotation of pressing both beads into center of rim bed channel prior to competitor use. “Flat” tube installed at 0 PSI, with presta valve in fully “open” position. Wheel is to be leaned against legs of timer A-frame, facing competitor and with valve in 12 o’clock position.

  • Spare tube: spare tube should be uninflated and hung from the hook by the timer control button. Valve should be on the right side of the hook and at the 12 o’clock position

• Flat Tire Pop-Up Equipment

  • Pump: one general-purpose bicycle floor pump featuring:

    • General use cylinder and operation, 45mm diameter +/- 15mm, no fast-release features etc

    • Two-handed grip at a resting height of 24” +/- 2”

    • Baseplate with a width of 10” +/- 2”

    • Presta or Universal cam-lock chuck

    • Gauge capable of clearly registering up to 80 PSI / 5.5 Bar. Must be confirmed accurate by Pop-Up organizer

  • Tire levers: two standard tire levers 4” long +/- 1”, featuring a prying side and a spoke hook side

  • Wheel: 700c rim with internal width of 23mm +/- 1mm. Wheel should be true and rim free of major dents and nicks.

  • Tire: 700x45c +/- 2mm rubber tire with folding bead

  • Tube: 700x35-43 butyl rubber presta valve tube (40mm +/- 10mm valve length)

  • Tool Rest / Surface: A surface 30” +/- 10” from the ground should be provided adjacent to the competitor zone for tire levers, timer, and spare tube to be placed and accessed during competition. This surface should be stable and capable of safely holding the timer, levers, and spare tube as well as capable of having a wheel leaned against its side. This surface could be a box, stool, table, counter, chair, etc.

  • Timer: Digital timer displaying to hundredths (.00) of a second. Must be placed on tool rest/surface for operation during competition and visible by Pop-Up official. This could be a stopwatch, smartphone, laptop, etc. 

• Flat Tire Pop-Up Layout

  • Venue: a level, even surface must be used for competition. This can include any substrate including concrete, dirt, grass, pavement, carpet, etc. A floor pump should be able to stand without issue on the surface.

  • Competitor zone: a 6’ diameter competitor zone will be marked on the ground using a means appropriate to the ground surface and venue requirements.

  • Pump: Pump shall be placed in the center of the competitor zone with the hose and chuck stowed/secured per the standard mounts on the pump.

  • Tool Rest / Surface: Tool Rest / Surface should be 30” +/- 10” from the ground, and should be placed just outside the competitor zone with the nearest edge a minimum 3’ and a maximum 4’ from the pump located in the center of the competitor zone.

  • Timer: The timer shall be placed on the Tool Rest / Surface so it is at minimum 3’ and a maximum 4’ from the pump located in the center of the competitor zone.

  • Tire levers: Tire levers should be placed one on each side of the timer. Prying side of the lever should be pointing away from the competitor with the tip facing down. 

  • Complete wheel - Tire should be mounted (both beads on rim, does not need to be seated) with a tube installed at 0 PSI. Wheel is to be leaned against Tool Rest / Surface facing competitor outside competitor zone

  • Spare tube: spare tube should be uninflated and placed or hung on the Tool Rest / Surface near the tire levers.

It’s not a competition unless we’re all following the rules. So here’s the deal:

• Sign-in & waiver: All competitors must complete the International Bicycle Flat Tire World Series registration and waiver using the QR code (or manual form) prior to participating at all Sanctioned & Pop-Up events.

• Starting Position: Competitors must stage in the center of the Competitor Zone and start with one foot on the pump. Competitors may not touch or move the pump, tools, or equipment until they have started the timer. 

• Timing Start: Competitors start their own timer and may only touch tools and equipment with their hands once the time is starter. 

• Flat-Fixing Process: Because this competition is using “simulated” flats (deflated, functional tubes), all competitors must:

  • Start the clock!

  • Remove the existing tube from the complete wheel

  • Replace the existing tube with the spare tube

  • Re-seat the tire

  • Inflate to at least 40 PSI, to be confirmed by staff.

  • Remove the pump chuck from the valve

  • Seal the presta valve

  • Stop the clock!

• Timing Stop: Timing ends when competitor completes the items listed above and stops their timer. If a step has been missed, official can point this out and competitor may start their clock again, fix the issue, then stop their timer again.

• Disqualification: Ok so first…we’re out here to have fun, hype each other, and learn. To rank this Series, we’ve got to keep the rules in mind.

  • Everyone: If the tube has a puncture, bubble outside the bead, or other malady from the repair, this will count as a Disqualification. 

  • If a competitor is verbally abusive to staff, volunteers, or other competitors, believe it or not, Disqualification.

Event Ranking: Participants in each category will be ranked from lowest to highest time to complete the flat fixin’. Rankings are tallied after each event, and competitors will be notified of their rank via email or text. There will be virtual podiums for each Officially Sanctioned event, online results of all Flat Tire Pop-Ups, as well as an overall Series Invitational Championship for the International Bicycle Flat Tire World Series held at Grassroots Gravel every October in Pueblo, Colorado.

Podiums: Podiums for each event will include the top three finishers in each category. Podium finishers will be notified via text, email, or social tag/message.

Championship: The top finishers from all Sanctioned and Pop-Up events will be invited to the International Bicycle Flat Tire World Series Championship at Grassroots Gravel every October.

Prizes: The Series will feature exclusive prizes for podium and championship competitors as well as raffle prizes accessible to all competitors regardless of pace.

• Officially Sanctioned Events: Prizes for Sanctioned Series events will include entries to Grassroots Gravel, equipment and gear from SILCA, Teravail, and more from other partners.

• Flat Tire Pop-Up Events: Prizes for Flat Tire Pop-Ups will be provided by the organizer of each event.

Claiming prizes: Awards and prize codes will be sent to awardees following each event and will be provided via email. Why not in-person at each event? Simple: The events are all-day or multi-day for the most part. We don’t want to make you stand there forever or worry about missing the awards. Prizes for the Series Championship at Grassroots Gravel will be in-person. How neat is that?