How to Change a Flat Tire on a Bike

Introduction

Flat tires happen every once in a while. The good thing is fixing it on a bike is much easier than on a car for example. You will not need to buy a new tire either, unless someone slashed it. You might need a new tube, but if you're lucky all you need to do is glue a patch over the hole.

By: eHow Sports & Fitness Editor

Length: 3:05

Comments: 16

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Instructions

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Difficulty: Moderate

Remove the Tire

Step1

Remove the bicycle wheel from the frame.

Step2

Release the air if the tire is not flat.

Step3

Insert the thin end of a tire lever between the tire and the rim.

Step4

Pull the lever down, and clip the hook end to the nearest spoke.

Step5

Move over two spokes, and repeat with a second tire lever.

Step6

Move over two spokes more, and repeat with a third lever.

Step7

Take the first lever out, move over two spokes from the third lever, and repeat.

Step8

Work around one side of the wheel in this way until one side of the tire is free.

Step9

When one side of the tire is completely off the rim, pull the other side off with your hands.

Change the Inner Tube

Step1

Pull out the old tube with your hand and discard, or save it to patch later.

Step2

Run a hand lightly over the inside of the tire to find the cause of the flat and remove it.

Step3

With a bicycle pump, put one or two strokes of air into the new tube.

Step4

Put the new tube in the tire.

Remount the Tire

Step1

Find the hole in the rim for the inflation valve; this is the piece of metal attached to the rubber tube into which air is pumped.

Step2

Pull the valve through the hole in the rim, and pull the tire over the wheel.

Step3

Working around the wheel with your fingers, push one side of the tire onto the rim. The tire's edge will seat itself along the inside edge of the wheel's rim.

Step4

Once one side of the tire is onto the rim, check that the tube is not pinched between the edge of the tire and the rim. If it is, gently pull the tube out from the other side.

Step5

Turn the wheel around once one side is complete.

Step6

Push the second side of the tire onto the rim with your thumbs. When the tire is nearly all on the rim, it will become taut and will require a last hard push with your thumbs.

Step7

Reinflate the tire to its recommended pressure as printed on the side of the tire.

Comments

lsblankenship said

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on 7/14/2008 Just what I needed. Many Thanks!

JohnMCollett said

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on 7/6/2008 After step 6 before you inflate the tube make sure the stem is perpendicular to the rim. If not just move the tire and tube together until stem is lined up perfectly with the rim hole. If you ride on a underinflated tire this can also cause the tube to rotate inside the tire causing the stem to bend to one side. This can cause damage to the stem if it allowed to continue this way.

JohnMCollett said

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on 7/6/2008 Install a tire liner such as Mr. Toughy's before step 4 of changing the tube. This will save you from fixing flats caused by rams horn thorns. this is especially needed for mountain bikes since much of your riding is in dirt.

JohnMCollett said

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on 7/6/2008 Once you have at least 2 levers prying the tire out of the rim (step 5), the use of a round "zip stick" that has an indention on one that slides along the inside edge of the rim makes it easier to remove the first side of the tire from the rim to get you quickly through step 8. This is especially helpful on a touring bike tire that has a tighter fit on the rim.