Updated: Jun. 09, 2022
Next Project›
Family Handyman
Follow these simple steps for replacing a punctured bicycle tube. You can even fix the flat on the go if you have a spare tube, tire levers and a pump.
By the DIY experts of The Family Handyman Magazine
Step 1: Remove the tire and old tubePry under the bead of the tire with one of the tire levers and hook it to a spoke. Move over about 4 to 6 in. and insert the other tire lever. Pry it down and then slide it along the rim to release the tire.
The first step of how to change a bike tire is to release the brake and loosen the axle nut so you can remove the wheel from the bike. Most bikes have a quick-release mechanism on the brake and a quick-release lever on the axle. If you’re not sure how to remove the wheels on your bike, check the manual or visit your local bike store and ask someone on staff to show you how. Do this before you have a flat so you’ll be prepared. For a guaranteed trouble-free fix, buy a new tube rather than patching the old one (see “Valve Types” below).
After removing the wheel from the bike, the next step is to take one edge, or bead, of the tire off the rim so you can remove the damaged tube (Photo 1). Pull out the tube. Then remove the tire completely from the rim, put it around your neck like a necklace and turn it inside out while running your fingers along the inside to feel for sharp objects. Be careful, though—there could be bits of glass lodged in the tire.
If you don’t want to walk home after having a flat, here’s a tip: Assemble a tire repair kit like this. A repair kit is one of the most valued bicycle accessories you’ll want. You can put it in a resealable plastic bag and tuck it in a knapsack or buy a small pack that straps under your bicycle seat.
Not including the seat pack, the kit cost us about $38.
Partially inflate the new or patched tube and insert the valve stem into the hole in the rim. Then work the tube into the tire.
Press the bike tire back over the rim, being careful not to pinch the tube. If it’s too tight to push the last section by hand, use the tire levers to pry the bike tire onto the bike rim.
After checking the tire, put one bead back on the rim, leaving the other side loose so you can install the new (or patched) tube (Photo 2).
Photo 3 shows how to push the second tire bead back onto the rim after the tube is in place. When the tire is completely installed, check all around on both sides to make sure the tube isn’t pinched between the tire and rim. To do this, push against the bead and look into the space between the tire and rim to be sure it’s clear.
Now you’re ready to fully inflate the tire. But there’s one last thing to watch for. Occasionally the bead may not seat properly on the rim, so stop before the tire is inflated to full pressure and rotate the wheel while you inspect the area where the tire and rim meet. If you see a spot where the bead isn’t seated in the rim, let a little air out and work the bead into the rim with your fingers. Then inflate the tire to the pressure listed on the side. Reinstall the wheel and spin it to make sure it’s centered between the brakes and rotates freely. If you’ve done an emergency repair using the CO2 cartridge, you may not have enough pressure. When you get home or to a bike store or gas station, fill the tire.
When you go to buy a new tube, take the old tube with you and match the valve. Presta valves have a nut on a threaded shaft that seals the air in and must be loosened to inflate the tube. You need a pump that’s compatible with a Presta valve to inflate these tubes.
If you have Presta valves on your bike, keep a Presta-to-Schrader adapter with you so you can use a gas-station air pump to inflate your tire.
Next, check out how to change a car tire.
Originally Published: August 28, 2019
ⓘ
Changing a bike tire is a beneficial skill that, as a cyclist, is handy to know. It might seem pretty straightforward, but you can make it very easy or very difficult for yourself if you don’t know how to do it properly. In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about how to change a bike tire, replace a bike tire, and even replace a bike tube.
For a bike tire replacement, check out our full selection of bike tires.
Before we start, the first thing we need to think about is what tools and spares we will need. We highly recommend having these at your disposal;
The first thing you are going to do is remove the wheel. Depending on where you are, you can either turn the bike upside down, lean it on its side, or get it into a stand. Typically you have two different types of skewer which hold the wheel on, a quick release and a thru-axle. Both of these you will need to release and unscrew.
Once removed, your wheel will come out, and you will be able to work on it.
A top tip if you have hydraulic disc brakes, ensure that the lever is not pressed with the wheel out as this will cause the pistons to adjust.
Now, you'll want to deflate the tire, ready for removal completely. You can do this by removing the cap and either unscrewing the Presta valve and pushing the pin or just pushing the pin on the Schrader valve. Once deflated, push the tire's bead inwards to loosen it off the rim.
Now you will want to take your tire lever, insert it under a part of the tire, slowly ease the tire off the rim, and be careful not to snag the inner tube. If you are using tubeless, you might want to put a rag inside to soak up any old sealant, or it might get messy. Once one side is off, you should be able to pull the tire straight off with the inner tube.
Now you have the tire off and the wheel free, you will want to inspect it to ensure that it is in good working order.
Check the wheel is straight and true by spinning it in your hand and holding on to the hub. Then make sure there are no cracks near any of the spoke holes. Once you have done this, ensure that the rim tape is in good condition and covers all the spoke holes. If you’re using tubeless, you are doing to give this a big clean and remove any excess sealant.
If you are swapping the tire out because of a puncture, you will need to inspect the tire to ensure the thorn or piece of flint is gone. Then you will need to either swap the tube out or even patch the old one. You can do this by finding the hole, scratching it clear, and sticking a patch on it. We recommend changing a tube instead of patching.
Shop Bike Tubes and Tubeless Kits | Shop Bike Tire Repair Patch Kits
How to put a tire back on the rim? Firstly check the rotation of the side of the tire to ensure it’s going correctly.
Start by running one side of the tire into the inside of the wheel and then insert either the inner tube into the tire with it partially inflated to make sure it doesn’t nip. If you are using sealant, you can insert it here or later into the valve.
After this is complete, you will need to pump the new tire up to the recommended PSI. If you are unsure, check the manufacturer's recommendations, but whatever you do, don’t go over the maximum stated on the tire or have it too low that the tire is very spongy. Now make sure the tire is on correctly and is in the bead. You can check this by spinning the tire to ensure it's not lumpy. If it is, push the side of the tire up onto the bead with your fingers carefully.
Now it’s time to reinsert the wheel. You will need to pop the wheel back and ensure it is in the correct place. If you have removed the rear wheel, check that the chain runs correctly.
Tighten up the quick release or thru-axle to the proper tightness. Now it’s time to get the bike on the floor. Check the brakes work and that the wheel is tight.
The process is the same for any tire. Generally, the larger the tire, the easier the process. Road bike tires can be challenging and might need a little more attention. For more information on types of tires, check out these pages Link to dirt mountain bike tires, road bike tires, gravel bike tires, and cyclocross bike tires.
How much does it cost to get a bike tire replaced?Firstly you have the cost of the inner tube, sealant, and tires. If you get a tire replaced at a bike shop, they will charge anywhere from roughly $10 to $20 for labor on a tire with an inner tube. For tubeless, it could be $20 to $30 as the process is much more complicated and takes longer.
If they look worn and have a lot of small slices or are giving you a lot of punctures, they will need changing. Depending on the tire, they might give you 5000 miles or 500 miles depending on the discipline and quality of the tire.
How much do bike tires cost?They can be as cheap as $20 or as expensive as $100. It depends on puncture protection, the tire's weight, and performance.
What are the best tire brands?Some of the top current brands are Continental, Vittoria, Specialized, Maxxis and Schwalbe
It will take time to replace a bike tire, but the more you do it the quicker you will get. Replacing tubes and tires is a great skill to learn and will help you while riding out on the road.
Removing the front/rear wheel is easy. Even if you are doing it for the first time.
The wheel is removed to replace the tube, tire or spoke. Transportation in public transport or seasonal storage - for these reasons, dismantling is also resorted to.
You can always remove or install a wheel, carry out maintenance on your bike or solve any technical problem in our professional workshop.
The front wheel is easy to remove, but the rear wheel is a little trickier. After all, there is a chain, and a lot of sprockets, and a switch. But you definitely don't have to worry! In a new article, we will talk about this procedure in detail. There is nothing supernatural in this.
1. Depress the rim brakes.
2. Move the brake levers (one by one).
3. Slightly lift the cable holder up.
There are two ways to fix the wheel: with two nuts or with an eccentric (more often). In the case of nuts, you will need two wrenches. Use the first key on one side, holding it in one position. Turn the second one to the left (counterclockwise).
It is not necessary to completely unscrew the nuts - you just need to loosen them enough. If the wheels are mounted on an eccentric, then the task is simplified: there is no need even for tools. Just pull the eccentric lever towards you, then, supporting the axle on the other side, make a couple of turns with it to the left - until the wheel is released.
When removing two wheels, it is advisable to remove both brakes. Otherwise, you will have to turn the bike over twice. If the tires have a large tread pattern or they are just very large, then deflate the air first.
It is also a good idea to loosen the chain as much as possible. To do this, put the chain on the smallest sprockets front and rear. Then you need to turn the bike upside down. Then simply open the eccentric / unscrew the wheel nuts.
Please note that in this position (wheels up) the bike will be very stable and accessible for service. However, there is a certain nuance: if hydraulics are installed on the bike, then it is advisable not to keep it in this state for too long.
Air can get into the hydraulic lines, which, in turn, will lead to a difficult and time-consuming process of bleeding the brake system.
How to remove the wheel (disc brakes)
If you have disc brakes, then we recommend inserting a special plug between the brake pads (sometimes it comes with the bike). A piece of plastic or a ruler will do. This will prevent the pads from compressing if you accidentally press the brake lever. Then it is not so easy to unclench them back, and if this fails, you will not return the wheel back.
Installing the wheel is carried out in the same way - only in reverse order. Bring the wheel to the grooves, put the chain on the sprocket, insert the axle into the grooves, and the rotor (brake disc) into the caliper. It is important that the axis enters the groove to the very end. Most symmetrical. At the end, do not forget to tighten the eccentric well, but you should not overdo it either.
03/05/2013
Probably the most common failure for a cyclist is a tire puncture, especially if he rides in an aggressive style.
Either he hit the glass, then a nail, and sometimes he just ran into the curb at speed. Experienced cyclists can change the camera in the bike with your eyes closed, but what about a beginner who can’t even remove the wheel, let alone change the camera. The main thing is not to despair! If you are traveling a long distance (and always better), take a pump with you, a spare tube, or, in extreme cases, a "bike first aid kit" for the wheel. Someday she will save you from the fate of pulling the bike "on yourself".
So, if you punctured the wheel , first you need to get off the bike, in no case continue to move on a flat tire . Firstly, you will tear the tube even more, and secondly, you can ruin the tire, and in the worst case, the rim.
How to change the tube on a bicycle
1) If the wheel has not completely deflated - deflate it to the end, to do this, unscrew the nipple (spool) cap.
If you have a nipple (spool) the same as in the car, press something sharp on the small button in the middle and hold until the tire is flat. If you have a cap with a key for the spool, then just unscrew it. If you have a nipple (spool) like in old bicycles, unscrew the lamb and take it out.
2) Remove the wheel. If the wheel is on an eccentric, removal will not cause difficulties, if not, then keys will be needed (depending on the bike and wheel - 13-17).
3) If you have pliers, use them to remove the rim from the wheel, if there are no pliers, you can use an improvised tool (wrenches, etc.), but it is advisable not to use objects with a sharp edge - this can lead to damage to the tube or rim. Tear the tire with your tool and, resting it against the rim, press down until the edge of the tire comes out of the rim, then take the second key or mount and do this action again, while NOT removing the first key. When you feel that the keys do not lean back when you release them - just try to move the second key in a circle away from the first key.
4) Remove the camera by simply grasping it with your fingers. Grasp the opposite side of the nipple (spool).
5) In principle, it is possible to insert a new tube, but I recommend removing the tire completely (this can be done by hand or with tools (wrenches)).
Check the condition of the rim: there are no metal burrs inside, check the condition of the rim tape, look inside the tire. This should be done if you change cameras frequently and don't know where you might have blown a tire.
How to install a tube in a bicycle wheel
1) Take a new tube or a sealed tube (how to glue a tube), squeeze it with one hand and move it around - this will help to clean it of unwanted foreign objects (pieces of rubber, metal chips, etc.) .d.)
2) Lightly inflate it, if you removed the tire completely, put it on one rib (if the rubber is directional - make sure you install it correctly (you can peek at the rear wheel if the treads are the same)).
