How to Replace a Stroller Tire Tube

Air-filled tires on a listing

When a stroller listing says "air-filled tires," the wheel is built like a bicycle wheel: a rubber tire mounted on a rim, with an inner tube inside that holds the air. On listings you will also see "foam-filled" or "flat-free" tires, which have no tube. Air-filled tires appear most often on jogging strollers and all-terrain strollers, where the wheels are the largest in the catalog.

The tube is a separate, replaceable part. When a tube loses air, you can swap it for a new one instead of replacing the whole wheel. If you are choosing between a frame with air-filled tires and one with foam tires, compare the wheel words on the listings; the air-tire maintenance article explains what "air-filled" and "foam-filled" mean on a product page.

A stroller's wheel terms are part of how the listing is read. "Air-filled" tells you the tire holds air and needs a tube; "flat-free" tells you the tire has foam or a solid compound inside. The stroller tire types article walks through both words.

• Air-filled: a tire with an inner tube that holds air
• Foam-filled: a tire with a foam core and no tube
• Flat-free: a tire that does not need air

Read the manual first

The maker's manual is the only place that states how the wheel attaches to your model. Some wheels have a push-button release on the axle, others use a nut or a quick-release lever. Follow the manual rather than relying only on the general steps in this article. The manual also shows you how to secure the wheel again, which is part of the same procedure.

The manual and the maker's page also state the replacement tube size for your model. The tire sidewall prints the same size information, and the maker's site lists the compatible part number. The stroller listing will not include these details.

If the manual and the maker's page disagree with what you see on the tire sidewall, contact the maker before buying a tube.

• Replacement tube that matches the tire sidewall size
• Two tire levers
• A hand pump with a pressure gauge
• A small container for axle hardware
• The maker's manual for the wheel attachment steps

Remove the wheel and the tire

Place the stroller on a level surface and remove the wheel following the manual. Keep the axle hardware, such as washers, nuts, and clips, in a small bowl so nothing gets lost while you work. A clean cloth under the wheel keeps the floor clean and the hardware easy to find.

Let the remaining air out of the tube by pressing the valve. Use two tire levers to pry one side of the tire over the rim, working a little at a time around the wheel. If the tire is tight on the rim, work the levers in small steps rather than forcing one side. Pull the old tube out, starting at the valve, and set it aside.

Inspect the tire before installing a new tube

Before you put in a new tube, run your fingers around the inside of the tire to feel for the object that caused the puncture, such as a thorn or a piece of glass, and remove it. A flashlight helps you see the inside of the tire while you inspect it. Look at the rim tape and the rim itself for damage; if anything looks worn or bent, contact the maker before reassembling.

This check matters because a new tube can fail on the same debris if it is left inside the tire. The tire puncture repair article covers how to inspect a tire after a flat. This is also a good time to clean grit out of the wheel hub, as described in the wheel removal and cleaning article.

Install the new tube and remount the tire

Partially inflate the new tube so it keeps its shape. Push the valve through the hole in the rim first, then tuck the rest of the tube inside the tire.

Work the tire bead back over the rim with your hands, using the levers only if needed, and take care not to pinch the tube between the tire and the rim. Inflate to the pressure printed on the tire sidewall; the manual repeats the same figure.

Re-attach the wheel to the frame, following the manual for the order of the hardware. The wheel removal and cleaning article covers the same process when you are inspecting wheels rather than replacing a tube.

• Partially inflate the tube before placing it
• Seat the valve through the rim hole first
• Press the tire bead evenly over the rim
• Inflate to the pressure on the sidewall
• Check the brake before using the stroller

After reassembly, and where to read the details

Spin the wheel by hand to confirm it turns freely and that the tire sits evenly on the rim. Check that any brake or wheel lock still works as it should, and fold the stroller once to confirm the wheel clears the frame. A short push around the room can confirm the wheel tracks straight. If the wheel wobbles when it spins, re-read the manual for the axle hardware order.

Neither the listing nor the catalog will state tube sizes or part numbers: read the tire sidewall for the size and the maker's page for the part number. To use the correct replacement parts and procedures, follow the maker's manual, and read the official pages linked in the sources below, including the CPSC carriages and strollers page and the CPSC recalls page.

• Confirm the tire sits evenly on both sides of the rim
• Check the valve is straight in its hole
• Spin the wheel to confirm it clears the frame and brake
• Read the manual again before the next removal

What to pick for your situation

Questions

Can I replace just the tube, or do I need a new wheel?

In most air-filled stroller tires the tube is the replaceable part, and the tire can be reused if it is not damaged. The maker's manual states whether the wheel assembly is meant to be serviced at home.

Do all air-filled stroller tires have inner tubes?

Most air-filled tires on strollers use an inner tube. Some wheels are designed as tubeless, where the tire seals against the rim. Read the tire sidewall and the manual to see which construction your model uses.

How do I find the correct replacement tube?

The size is printed on the tire sidewall, and the maker's page lists the compatible part number for your model. The stroller listing will not state these details.

Do I need special tools?

Tire levers and a hand pump are the common tools for a tube swap. The manual may list any special tools for your model.

Should I replace both tubes at the same time?

That is your call. It is reasonable to inspect the other tube while the wheel is off, and replace it if it shows signs of wear, but a tube that holds air can stay in service.

What if the tire sidewall has no size printed?

If no size is printed on the sidewall, the maker's manual and the maker's page are the places to confirm the correct tube. Contact the maker if the two disagree.