How to Fix A Flat Tire

Everyone gets a flat tyre now and again, and it can be really annoying when you get one after another.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A pump set up to inflate the kind of valve - Presta or Schraeder - that your wheels have
• Tyre levers, which help lift the bead off of the rim
• A patch kit, with extra patches, rubber cement, and a piece of sandpaper or a buffer
• A small piece of tough fabric (denim or canvas), about one inch square, to place underneath a big gash in the tyre
• A spare tube or two with the same valve as the one already in your tyre
• A 15mm or adjustable wrench, if your axle does not have quick-release levers
• A pocket knife, the blade of which can be used to release air from Schraeder valves

1. First of all you will need a bowl of water to find the hole in the tube if you are not replacing the inner tune.

2. 
   Removing the tyre with tyre levers

   Now you will need to remove the wheel from the bike itself.

3. 

   Next, deflate the tyre completely so it will be easier to reove the inner tube from the tyre.

4. 

   When the tyre is fully deflated, insert the flat end of the tyre lever into the tyre and hook the other end on the spoke.

5. After you have done one, it will become moderately easier to do the others. Move across about 2 or 3 spokes and do the same.

6. 
   Removing The Tyre From The Wheel

   After a while you will be able to remove the tyre from the wheel.

7. If you are replacing the inner tube, take the old one out and fit the new one but before doing so, check the inside of the tyre for thorns or anything of that nature etc.

8. If you are repairing the tube, you will need to inflate the tube and dip it into a bowl of water to find the hole. When it shows up it will start bubbling.

9. Mark the area with a square drawn by a wax crayon.

10. Next sand the area down lightly and apply glue. When glue goes sticky apply patch. Apply pressure on the patch and make sure it is seated properly. Apply chalk around the area.

11. Inflate again and dip into water to test for bubbles.
    
    Congratulations you have now repaired / changed your tyre

Tips & Warnings

• When refitting the tyre, be sure not to trap the inner tube between the tyre and the rim as this can cause it to rip.