A flat-fixing time trial

of international renown*

*not recognized by the International Association of Bicycle Flat Tire Repair Competition (IAOBFTRC)  

presented by

Yes, this is a real competition...

How fast can YOU change a flat tire? We’ll be running in-person flat-fixing time trials throughout the year at different events. We’ll have specific equipment and protocols to keep everything consistent. We’re gonna have a ton of fun. We’re gonna have prizes.

…and a place to learn flat repair.

Haven’t fixed a flat tire before? We’ve got you. At every International Bicycle Flat Repair World Series event, we’re going to be doing basic flat repair workshops on the hour, every hour. Because repair knowledge is power and freedom and for everyone. Seriously.

We all start somewhere.

International Bicycle Flat Tire World Series partners:

upcoming events

May 25-27, 2024

Kiowa, CO - Kick off the International Bicycle Flat Tire Repair World Series at MadGravel - a Memorial Day Weekend festival of cycling and dirt. Event options abound, and camping is available. It’s gonna be a fun one. Come party! Link

June 1 & 2, 2024

Denver, CO - Get hyped on flat-fixin’ in the bike zone of The Outside Festival at Denver’s Civic Center Park. We’ll be doing races all day and basic flat repair workshops on the hour. Come learn repairs! Link

July 20 & 21, 2024

Fort Collins, CO - Come to the Fondo and get your flat-fixin’ on. Straight from this awesome crew “Whether you’re into racing bikes or all day bike parties in the open range of Colorado. FoCo Fondo is your adventure.” See you there. Link

August 10, 2024

Fort Collins, CO - Come to the Fondo and get your flat-fixin’ on. Straight from this awesome crew “Whether you’re into racing bikes or all day bike parties in the open range of Colorado. FoCo Fondo is your adventure.” See you there. Link

September 14, 2024

Salida, CO - Come find us in the hills alongside the Arkansas river and compete or get learned at some flat fixin’. “The Salida76 is a little bit country, a little bit rock ‘n roll—champagne gravel with a whiskey chaser. It’s rugged and beautiful - like you.” Link

September 21, 2024

Pueblo, CO - It’s gonna get spicy at this one. Join us for the 30th anniversary celebration of a legendary Southern Colorado flavor. Ever heard the crackle and smelled the scent of fresh chiles roasting? Because you need to. Link

October 11 & 12, 2024

Pueblo, CO - THE CHAMPIONSHIP! Join us at the Grassroots Gravel afterparty for a real doozie of a championship. This is a gravel race for everyone. Get this year’s details and sign up while there’s still room! Link

How it works

Participation:

Participation is free and first-com, first-served at each event. We love you all. Let’s change some flats and cheer each other on.

Categories:

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

Floor Pump Division

Hand Pump Division

  • Flat fixin’ on hard-mode. All the same rules…except with a ‘lil hand pump as if you were roadside. All competitors will use the SILCA Gravelero mini-pump.

Tools & Equipment:

All sanctioned International Bicycle Flat Tire World Series 2024 events will use the following tools & equipment:

The Rules:

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

Preparation & Layout:

  • Prior to engaging in competition, all equipment must be prepared and arranged by event staff or volunteers:

    • Sanitation: All tools and equipment to be wiped down with isopropyl spray between each competitor

    • Competitor Zone - 6’ diameter clear space, with additional 1’ clear space on all sides for tools & equipment (see regulation layout diagram)

    • Floor pump or hand pump - placed on the ground in center of Competitor Zone (see regulation layout diagram)

    • Complete wheel - Complete wheel with Teravail tire and Quality Wheels rim/hub will be laid or otherwise placed at edge of competitor zone, minimum 3’ and maximum 4’ from pump (see regulation layout diagram). Complete wheel starting state will be with “flat”/uninflated tube installed, and tire bead seated/within the entire rim.

    • Tire levers - two Silca Tire Levers Premio will be available, placed at edge of competitor zone, minimum 3’ and maximum 4’ from pump (see regulation layout diagram).

    • Spare tube - Teravail 700c presta valve tube, unboxed and placed at edge of competitor zone, minimum 3’ and maximum 4’ from pump (see regulation layout diagram).

    • Stopwatch - Stopclock control will placed at edge of competitor zone, minimum 3’ and maximum 4’ from pump (see regulation layout diagram).

Click the layout diagram to zoom in!

Competition:

  • Sign-in using the QR code at the event - All competitors must sign the International Flat Tire World Series registration and waiver prior to participating. This QR code will be available at each event.

  • Starting Position - Competitors must stage in the center of the Competitor Zone with one foot touching the pump.

  • Timing Start - The competitor starts the stopclock using the button in the Competitor Zone perimeter.

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

    • Remove the existing tube from the complete wheel

    • Replace the existing tube with the spare tube

    • Re-seat the tire

    • Inflate to at least 35 PSI, to be confirmed by staff

    • remove the pump chuck from the valve

    • seal the presta valve

  • Timing Stop - Timing ends when competitor completes the items listed above and presses the stopclock button.

  • Disqualification - Ok so first…we’re out here to have fun, hype each other, and learn. To rank these races, we’ve got to keep the rules in mind. So…If the competitor has stopped the clock and has not exceeded 35 PSI, this will count as a Disqualification. 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.

Rankings, Prizes, & Partners:

This is a series. So there will be ranking, recognition, and prizes for each event…as well as the whole series. We figure it makes sense for the season to match a calendar year.

Prizes:

  • Events:

    • Ranking: Participants will be ranked from lowest to highest time to complete the flat fixin’. There will be virtual podiums for each event as well as the overall International Bicycle Flat Tire World Series.

    • Championship: The top finishers from each event will be invited to the International Bicycle Flat Tire World Series Single-Elimination Championship Tourney at the Grassroots Gravel afterparty on October 12th.

    • Podiums:

      • Podiums will include 1st, 2nd, & 3rd overall in the Floor Pump and Hand Pump Divisions

      • Podiums will be featured on our social media and the International Bicycle Flat Tire World Series website. Podium participants will be notified via text, email, or social tag/message.

    • Prizes:

      The fastest overall competitor from each event will be eligible to receive the items below AND we’ll be running other award categories throughout the season.

      • FREE ENTRY to Grassroots Gravel - Get registered for any distance of Grassroots Gravel 2024 (and the International Bicycle Flat Tire World Series 2024 Championship!) on October 12th, 2024. Entry is non-transferrable.

      • Rad equipment from our partners - Details coming soon…

      • 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 all day or worry about missing the awards. Prizes for the Series Championship at the Grassroots Gravel 2024 afterparty will probably be in-person. How neat is that?

International Bicycle Flat Tire World Series partners: