How To Remove Tires From A Road Bike

One of the easiest types of maintenance on your road bike is changing its tires. Changing tires is necessary whenever you experience a flat tire or wear them out. Changing a tire doesn't always mean an expensive visit to the dealer or repair shop. You can do the work with a few simple tools.

Step 1

Move your road bike from the side of the road, out of the way of dangerous traffic. Try to find a place that is dry, well-lit and out of the elements.

Step 2

Turn over your bike and rest it on the top of its handlebars and the top of the seat. If you're doing the work in a workshop and have a workstation, secure the bike by the down tube.

Step 3

Loosen the skewer or nuts that secure the axle to the frame. If the axle doesn't have a quick-release skewer, use an end wrench. Remove the wheel from the frame. It's often helpful to clean the drive chain with an old rag before you start working.

Step 4

Let the air out of the tire by removing the valve stem cap and pressing down on the center of the valve stem with the end of the valve stem cap or some other pointed object.

Step 5

Push the end of a tire lever between the edge of the tire bead and the inside of the wheel rim. Take care not to catch or puncture the inner tube with the tire lever. Push down on the other end of the tire lever and pry the tire bead off of the rim.

Step 6

Insert the end of a second tire lever between the tire bead and the inside of the rim, several inches from the first tire lever. Push down on the other end of the tire lever and pry the tire bead over the edge of the rim. Repeat the process, alternating tire levers until the entire bead is completely off of the rim.

Step 7

Insert the end of a tire lever between the edge of the tire's other bead and push down on the other end, prying it off of the rim. Repeat the process using the other tire lever until the bead of the tire is completely off of the rim. Remove the tire from the rim.

Tips and Warnings

Work in a safe place away from traffic. Choose a well-lit work area. Work slowly and methodically.
Try not to puncture the inner tube with the tire levers. Never use metal tire levers.