How to Fix a Flat on a Mountain Bike

By eHow Sports & Fitness Editor

Rate: (9 Ratings)

Flat tires are a fact of life in mountain biking. Learn to repair them or take a hike.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

  • Bike Pumps
  • Bike Tire Repair Kit
  • Mountain Bike Tire Inner Tubes
  • Mountain Bike Tires
  • Mountain Bikes
Step1
Remove the wheel with the flat from your bike.
Step2
Pry the tire off the wheel rim with tire irons. Do this by sliding a tire iron under the lip of the tire and levering the tire's edge over the rim.
Step3
Leaving the first tire iron in place, take a second tire iron and repeat the process a few inches farther down the rim.
Step4
Slide the edge of the tire off the rim with your fingers or with a third tire iron.
Step5
Pull the popped tube out from beneath the tire. Patch it or replace it with a new one.
Step6
Inspect the tire (both inside and out) for sharp objects like glass or thorns. Remove anything you find.
Step7
Pump some air into the new or repaired tube, then place the tube on the rim beneath the lifted tire. Pass the tube valve through the hole in the rim; be careful not to pinch the tube.
Step8
Use your fingers to tuck the edge of the tire back beneath the lip of the rim. Again, be careful not to pinch the tube.
Step9
Pump up the tube (inside the tire) and put the wheel back on your bike.

Tips & Warnings

  • Practice changing flats at home before you hit the trail.
  • Bring an extra tube and a patch kit with you on every ride.

Comments

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Fresh

Fresh said

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on 11/6/2006 If you can patch the whole, a good trick is to tie a knot in the tube so that the airflow is cut off to the area with the hole. You'll need the stretch the tube a bit to get it back on your wheel. But it works well enough to get you back to your car.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 Release all the air, then put 2 coats of liquid super glue on the hole (not the jelly kind), allowing them to dry between coats. Blow gently on it to dry faster. Then put a 1 or 2 square-inch piece of industrial duct tape over the hole too.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 Pack a small lightweight bag with extra tools so you can easily change your flat.

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eHow Article: How to Fix a Flat on a Mountain Bike

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