How to Change a Bike Tire

Ride a bike? Then at some point you will need to know how to change your tires on your bike. Like cars, bikes need new tires as they wear down.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 2 tire levers
• a bike
• (optional)new bike tire (if you are replacing the tread)
• (optional)new inner tube (if you are fixing a flat)

1. If your tire isn't already flat, deflate your tire completely.

2. Stick the flat end of one of the tire levers between the tire and the rim. Make sure to get the tire lever under the edge of the tire.

3. Pull the tire lever back towards the spokes.

4. Hook the tire lever onto a spoke.

5. Insert another tire lever using the first step close to the first tire lever (it shouldn't be difficult to get the second one in, if it is, try closer to the first tire lever)

6. Slide the second tire lever around the rim. This action will cause the tire to come off the rim.

7. Once you get about half of the tire off you can take the second tire lever out. From here you can pull the tire off by hand.

8. Whether you are fixing a flat or replacing a worn tire go ahead and remove the tire and inner tube completely. You'll see why in a few steps.
   Try to keep the tire and inner tube somewhat aligned, so you know to look for puncture damage.

9. If your wheel is still attached to your bike, now would be a good time to remove the wheel to facilitate changing either the inner tube or tire.

10. If you are fixing a flat, run your hands (carefully) along the inside of the tire, near the puncture mark on the inner tube. In most cases, whatever caused the flat will be wedged in your tire somewhere, waiting for you to put a new inner tube in and have the same result.

11. Re-install the tire by putting one side of the tire on the wheel rim. If you have trouble try grabbing the tire like you are riding a mountain bike, with your palms down. Push up and roll slightly with your hands, this will help get the side of the tire on the wheel.

12. Install the inner tube by first aligning the stem with the hole in your rim. Once that is okay, go ahead and slip the rest of the inner tube onto the wheel.

13. Pump up the inner tube slightly so that it maintains a round shape.

14. Squeeze the remaining side of the tire onto the wheel. Use the method described above if you have trouble getting it all the way onto the wheel.

15. With both your hands on the tire, rock the tire back and forth to ensure the inner tube is correctly seated and the tire is all the way on the rim.

16. Pump up the tire to normal specifications. Check for any signs of something wrong, if an inner tube is sticking out the edge of the rim anywhere, deflate the inner tube and recheck the bead of the tire.

17. Put your tire levers away. Yes, I'm quite serious.

18. Go have fun!

Tips & Warnings

• If your inner tube has 2 little snake like marks in it you may have had a pinch flat. This is probably due to lack of proper inflation.
• If you have a hole in your tire where your inner tube is poking through, try placing a folded dollar bill on the inside of the tire. The dollar bill should hold the inner tube in long enough for you to get home.
• If your inner tube is sticking through anywhere on the tire DO NOT ride it. This is extremely dangerous. The inner tube doesn't have the strength to hold it's shape, that's what the tire is for.