Bicycle Mechanics - Can't refill tires after leaving bike out in the cold for 2 weeks

I left my bike outside (subjected to Michigan cold weather) for 2 weeks, and when I picked it up yesterday both tires were completely flat. Before that I noticed no leaks in the tires, and had rode it around town without problems. After I walked it home, I spent several hours trying to pump the tires again but the air would just leak through.

Now, is this typical? I'm about to pick up some tire levers and check on the tube, but how could a leak arise when the bike was sitting there locked to a rack? When I try to pump them I can feel the air immediately leaking through the part of the tire near the valve. I'm guessing there's a breach where the valve connects to the inner tube, but is that something I could actually repair or will I need to purchase new tubes?

If you have leaks where the valve stems join the inner tube, you'll need new tubes.

It could just be the lil pin in the valve that allows air to enter/exit stays down as if its being held down from the pump even after you take it off, happened to me more than one occasion, try spraying some wd40 or something like it on the valves moving parts if it is indeed stuck.

If the valve isn't stuck open, sounds like new tubes for you!

You need to take the tires off and see where the leaks are on the tubes. You need new tubes anyway.

It could just be the lil pin in the valve that allows air to enter/exit stays down as if its being held down from the pump even after you take it off, happened to me more than one occasion, try spraying some wd40 or something like it on the valves moving parts if it is indeed stuck.
I don't think this is it because the air doesn't exit from the valve, it seems like it's coming through the edge of the tire rubber (at the wheel rim).


If the valve isn't stuck open, sounds like new tubes for you!
Great :o. Has this ever happened to anyone else? Could cold weather have something to do with it?

Great :o. Has this ever happened to anyone else? Could cold weather have something to do with it?


Yes, and NO.

Getting flats is a normal part of bike riding. If you walked your bike home on the flat tires you could have ruined the tubes too. Look at the tubes, it's the only way to know what happened.

Buy new tubes. Even if you find the tubes are OK, after you get the tires off, it is useful to have new tubes at hand. Dirt in the valves can prevent them closing, but it is v unlikely to happen on both tires at the same time - more likely the result of somebody with a warped sense of humour.

Yeah, sounds like somebody messed with your bike.