How to Repair a Flat Tire on a Bike

Repair your flat the right way the first time.

For cyclists, flat tires are a part of life. You should not fear flat tires. As long as you are prepared at home and on the road, changing flats becomes easier the more often you do it. Taking the time to repair a flat tire properly can save you trouble in the long run--if you rush or cut corners, you actually increase your chances of getting another flat before you even take your next ride.

Things You'll Need

• Tire lever
• New bicycle inner tube
• Bicycle air pump
• Air pressure gauge

Instructions

1. Take the wheel off the bicycle. Deflate the flat tire completely. If you have a "skinny" Presta valve, unscrew the tip and press down to release any remaining air. For car tire-style Schrader valves, press the inside of the valve with your fingernail to let all of the air out.

2. Place the flat side of the tire lever between the rim and tire, wedging it inside the rim. Pull up and slide the lever to the right simultaneously until the tire bead (the very edge of the tire) lifts off over the rim. Continue sliding the lever to the right until one side of the tire hangs completely off of one side of the rim.

3. Remove the tube from the rim and discard. Inspect the inside of the tire for debris. Wipe away any dirt, small rocks or other objects that could puncture the new tube you are about to install.

4. Insert the valve stem of your new tube through the hole in your rim. Fit the tube inside the tire from one end to the other, being careful not to twist it. Inflate the tube slightly with a bicycle air pump so that it takes shape slightly. If you fail to do this, there is a better chance that part of the tube will get caught between the tire and rim when you reinstall the tire. If this happens, the rim can slice that portion of the tube causing a "pinch flat."

5. Fit the tire bead that is hanging off of the rim back into the rim starting at the valve stem. Do this for the entire diameter of the rim. As you fit the tire bead into the rim, make sure that the tube is tucked completely inside the tire. Again, this is extremely important. If even a small part of the tube gets stuck between the tire and rim, you are likely to get a pinch flat. Pinch flats can occur as you ride, but also as you reinflate your tire.

6. With the tire firmly seated to the rim, reinflate it to the recommended pounds per square inch (PSI) listed on your tire's sidewall, using the bicycle air pump and air gauge. As long as there are no bulges in the tire, put the tire back on the bike and take a quick test ride to ensure you executed the installation correctly. If there are bulges or your tire pops as you reinflate it, go through this process again, taking care to not let the tube get twisted or caught between the tire and rim.

Tips & Warnings

• Patch kits are one way to repair a flat tire, but generally a patch kit costs only a few dollars less than a new tube. Patch kits can be difficult to use and they have a shorter shelf life than a new inner tube.

• Slime Tubes are a type of tube filled with sealant that seals small punctures as you ride. Consider using a Slime Tube to offer increased protection against flat tires.

• If you use an electric or gas station compressor, be very careful--not much air volume is needed to fill a bicycle tire, and you can very quickly rupture the tire and injure yourself. A bicycle, or hand-operated pump is best.

References

• Bicycling Magazine: Changing Tires