Anyone who has been riding bikes for a while can tell you that sooner or later, you’re going to get a flat. Even with tube sealant that prevents flat tires for up to two years, it’s just an unavoidable occurrence. When flats occur, the best thing you can do is be educated and prepared to patch the tube so that you can quickly get back on the road. Let's get started:
Materials NeededConsider these different flat tire scenarios: The at-home repair scenario where you're walking your bike into the garage and notice that the back wheel is sagging a little bit—you have a flat. Or, the on-the-trail repair scenario where 20 miles into a 50 mile ride, you go down hard on a rock and get a nasty pinch flat.
We’re going to walk you through some of the materials you’ll need for either situation, and then how to use them for both. Here’s a list of some things you will need to repair your tube.
Follow these 4 easy steps to patch your bicycle tube and repair your flat.
Step 1. Remove Your Tire
Take your tire lever and hook it around the outer edge of the tire (the bead) to get it off of the rim. Once you have the tire lever under the tire rubber, hook the other end of your tire lever around one of your spokes to keep the tire elevated. With a second tire lever, work your way around the rim, taking the tire out of the bead until one side has been completely removed from the rim.
Step 2. Find the Leak
If the puncture or gash in your tube is not easily apparent, you’re going to need to fill the tube back up to locate where the air is escaping from. There are a couple of different ways to find the leak. The layman’s way would just be to run your hand along the tube and try to feel it out.
The bucket of water method that we mentioned earlier, however, is a more accurate way.
If you’re at home, fill your sink or a large bucket full of water and submerge each end of the tube. Watch for air bubbles escaping from your tire to locate your problem area.
Make sure you submerge each side, as there may be more than one puncture. Be sure to check the inside of the tire to make sure that the puncture-causing object has been removed. Once located, mark that spot with your tire marking chalk.
Step 3. Patch the Hole
When patching the hole in your bicycle tube, make sure that the area around the puncture is clean so that the patch will stick. Using the scuffer from your patch kit (sand paper or emery paper will also do the trick), rough up the area around the puncture so that your adhesives have something to grip.
If your patches don’t require glue, simply press them firmly over the hole. For patches that do need glue, add a layer of glue and spread it evenly around the area. Wait for the glue to get a little tacky, and then press on your patch.
If you have the materials available to you at home, some cyclists will sprinkle talcum powder on top of the patch so that that patch/adhesive doesn’t stick to the inside of the tire.
Step 4. Put It All Back Together
Put a little air into your tube and then put it back in the tire, making sure, again, that there are no foreign objects remaining in the tire. Be sure to insert the tube and tire back into the rim using only your hands, as the tire levers may pinch the tube and cause another flat (we certainly don’t want that after all your hard work).
Once you’ve pushed the tire back in and the valve stem is securely inside the tire, inflate your tube back to maximum pressure, being sure to check the tire one more time to make sure that the bead is installed snugly. Ready to ride!
in: Featured, How To, Skills
Brett & Kate McKay • May 26, 2022 • Last updated: December 15, 2022
The bicycle is one of the greatest tools of self-reliance.
Without any need for electricity or gas, it can carry you far distances.
But bikes only work towards your self-sufficiency if you know how to maintain them. They may have fewer complications than an automobile, but they’re still machines that can break down and need to be repaired.
Several years ago Kate and I bought some bikes for ourselves (our kids already had them) so we could take family rides on Tulsa’s many pleasant bike paths. But I realized that I didn’t know beans about how to maintain our new purchases. If one of us got a flat tire, I wouldn’t know how to patch it. If my brakes were acting wonky, I’d be hosed.
So I set out to learn some basic bike maintenance and repair. It’s been fun. I thought I’d share what I’ve learned with you all in a new series: Bike Maintenance 101.
In today’s inaugural class, we’re kicking things off with how to patch a hole in your inner tube. I remember watching my dad patch a hole on one of my bike tires as a kid.
It looked like a huge pain in the butt. But I learned that it’s surprisingly easy. Here’s how to do it.
Let’s get that wheel off so we can get to our flat inner tube.
I like to flip my bike upside down. It makes it easier to work with your wheel. I don’t have one of those fancy bike holders you use to work on your bike.
Getting wheels off a bike is a breeze with today’s quick-release systems. It’s pretty much the same for all bikes. The only difference you’ll encounter is how you’ll disconnect your brakes. That will depend on what type of brakes you have on your bike. Here’s how I removed the wheel on my bike with v-brakes.
It’s really easy to disconnect a v-brake. You squeeze the two brake arms together and unlatch the cradle from the noodle (that’s the thing with the rubber tip on it).
Flip the quick-release lever open and unscrew it until you have enough space to remove the wheel.
You don’t have to take the quick-release rod out of the hub, but if you want to, that’s fine.
I think it’s easier to work with the tire without the quick-release rod still in the hub, so I take it out.
Wheel removed!
Time to get the tire off the wheel so we can get to the inner tube. Tire levers will make this job much easier. You can buy them on Amazon. They’re cheap.
Place your first tire lever between the wheel and the tire. You want to get the lever underneath the lip of the tire so you can pry it away from the wheel.
To keep the lip of the tire from going back into the wheel, hook the tire lever into one of the spokes. This will keep your tire and wheel separated, making it much easier to get the rest of the tire off of your wheel.
Place the second tire lever next to your first tire lever. Get it under the lip of the tire. You’ll slide this lever around your wheel to separate the rest of the tire from the wheel.
Here’s what your tire will start looking like as you slide that second tire lever around your wheel.
It’s hard at first, but gets easier as you progress. As you can see, more and more of the tire lip is over the rim of the wheel.
Tire successfully removed from wheel. Now it’s time to remove the inner tube from the tire.
Inner tube will be tucked inside your tire. Just pull it out.
There’s the hole.
Get your patch kit.
Inside my patch kit is a metal square that has a bunch of little bumps on it. It’s almost like a cheese grater. Use it to lightly scuff up the area on and around the hole. If you don’t have a little metal cheese grater in your patch kit, you can use sandpaper to prep your patch area. The scuffing will give greater adhesion to the patch.
Use a moderate amount of rubber cement. Spread it evenly around an area 1/2″ around your hole.
Pick an appropriate sized patch for your hole.
Since mine is so small, I used the smallest patch. Remove the foil backing and stick patch onto the hole.
Peel away the plastic film on top of the patch. Press edges down firmly. Bam! Hole is patched.
Inner tube back in tire.
Tire back on wheel. Getting the tire back on the wheel can be a bit tricky. You may need to use your tire levers to help you get the lip of the tire inside the wheel’s rim. Just make sure you don’t pinch your inner tube between the tire and the wheel. You’ll risk creating a puncture in your inner tube. Once you get your tire back on the wheel, inflate your inner tube and then put your wheel back on your bike.
You can patch your inner tube a few times and not have a problem. If you have more than three patches, you might start noticing that your tire goes flat overnight and you have to pump it up if you want to use it. After your third patch, chuck your old inner tube and replace it with a new one.
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If you don't know how to seal a bicycle inner tube, then everything is quite simple - you only need glue and a patch. But wrenches, hexagons, disassembly, a container of water and a vise will also come in handy. The set is enough, so you can carry out repairs in any conditions.
Do-it-yourself repair of the bicycle chamber is carried out according to the following algorithm:
To do this, use a container of water. With the help of bubbles, it is determined exactly where the damage is located. Another option is to find a puncture in the bicycle chamber by ear - listen to where the air comes out; nine0012 Sealing a bicycle wheel tube is easy - just remove it, patch the puncture site with a patch and put it back in place.
How to seal the bicycle chamber with a repair kit is understandable, but what if it is not there, but the repair is necessary? For example, a patch can be made from any rubber.
Any glue is suitable, but the main thing is not to choose industrial.
There are also critical moments. In some cases, it is necessary to close the hole without glue and without removing the wheel. The patch is applied so that when inflated, it is pressed with strong pressure. But in this case, you need a pump. nine0003
If you don't have a rubber patch, a dampened plastic bag or duct tape will do, but only if you don't know how to seal the inner tube of your bike to get home, because the wheel won't withstand heavy loads.
Another option is vulcanization. This requires special tools, but the result is reliable. The point is that the patch and the camera are pressed against each other. Thanks to heating, both elements form a single whole. Before you seal the camera at home, think about vulcanization. nine0003
Even if you know how to properly seal a bicycle inner tube, it's worth learning how to avoid a puncture.
One of the most interesting options is cameras that can be sealed by themselves.
Resin or a special gel is poured inside. When a breakdown occurs, the substance flows into the puncture point and seals it. In this case, it will be possible not to think about repairs for some time, but it will still have to be done sooner or later. nine0003
It is worth following a few simple recommendations to prevent a puncture:
These simple tips will help you avoid punctures and save time on repairs, although they will not take much time.
But, nevertheless, it is better to prevent trouble than to deal with its consequences.
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0003
Bikers seem to have no more common breakdown that can disable the very process of comfortable cycling. It's annoying, because, in extreme cases, you can continue to move "on the rims" if there is absolutely nothing to fix the breakdown. In addition, if you have sufficiently high-quality and expensive wheels, then every meter that you had to drive over potholes gives pain to the biker's heart. He sees how the tire and rims fall into disrepair ...
First of all I need to give some advice to those cyclists who find this article on the Internet, but they do not have anything with them: no repair kit, no bike first aid kit.
If there is absolutely nothing to glue the wheel with, then you can continue the journey, however, with some precautions.
Tips if there is nothing to repair the camera:
But in order not to burn with shame, looking friends in the eye, it is better not to do this. So, every self-respecting biker should have a repair kit in order to seal the wheel properly. Moreover, its weight and volume is very small. Recently, very small and convenient bicycle first-aid kits have appeared that do not require rubber glue, and therefore time. Plugged it in and went. It used to be, in Soviet times, that you first had to coat the chamber with rubber, wait for it to dry, then apply it again ... Currently, you can glue a bicycle wheel very quickly. nine0003
What you need to take with you to seal the wheel on the bike:
Fitting kit. Ideally, you need to have three pieces, with skill you can get by with two. As a child, I had to make do with a spoon, which is very convenient in order to "hook" the camera.
Pump. If there is no pump, then everything else is in vain.
You don't have to spend money on a pump. Years of experience show that the best, compact, lightweight and reliable folding telescopic pumps are made in Taiwan, the Philippines and Europe. nine0003
Russian pump manufacturers, even under the conditions of the “import substitution” policy, produce a miserable semblance. Our pumps are disposable products that allow air to pass through, which must be held with both hands, etching from a cable that does not screw on the valve, and if screwed on, then only once due to poor quality steel.
Bicycle patches. Usually they are included in the set and are both round (for punctures) and oval (for tears). In extreme cases, you can cut them yourself. In this case, you will need rubber glue. Modern kits include self-adhesive patches. nine0003
Tip: use the same old camera as a source of rubber for patches. In this case, the curve of the rubber will ideally fit the curve of the chamber. In the event that you find flat patches, you need to glue them well around the edges, and when installing, make sure that they do not come off.
Metal mesh, sandpaper. With this tool, you will need to clean the chamber to give the rubber a velvety finish for more precise grip, as well as for degreasing. A 2x2 cm piece is enough.
Rubber adhesive. With its help, the rubber of the chamber is first primed, and then gluing occurs, that is, it is used twice. Glue, as well as self-adhesive patches, must be checked before the start of the season. Otherwise, you may find yourself in a situation where sealing the camera is simply impossible, since everything has dried up.
What kind of glue can be used to glue the camera, except for rubber? The masses have tried everything: from cyanoacrylate and Moment glue to epoxy resin, which is capable of pouring everything tightly. It is best to use rubber glue because of its affinity for the camera material. Cyanoacrylate and epoxy make the material brittle and unreliable joints. nine0003
In addition, rubber glue is inexpensive, sold in miniature tubes, which are enough for the whole season.
These are all the basic tools and accessories to be able to comfortably seal the bicycle tube.
Tip: you can take a small bicycle handle and a small bottle of water if you are not bringing liquid to drink. This is useful to make it easier to find the puncture site. In addition, a LED headlamp will not hurt, which the cyclist should always have in case they have to do something on the route at night. nine0003
It's time to practice. We present the complete algorithm of action. Let's try to be brief, because sometimes there is so much written on the Internet ...
Many advise starting next to the chamber valve, many on the opposite side. The second method seems to be preferable, since at the beginning of the tire removal process, lateral loads are possible and the valve can simply be torn off, especially if it is at an oblique angle to the rim plane. nine0012 
nine0012 If there is no water source, you can bring the camera to your face. The most sensitive place is the lips. If you bring the camera to your lips, and even pre-wet them, you will feel the lightest breath.
If you have rubber adhesive, you need to follow the instructions: first lubricate the cleaned area, wait a few minutes and press the patch.
