It is common to get a flat on your bike. Shards of glass, thorns, nails and even potholes litter the streets and can easily cause you to get a flat. It's always good to have an extra tube and a repair kit on your bike at all times in case you run into one of these hazards. It can save you a long walk home if you're properly prepared.
Remove the Wheel
Step 1
For a quick-release tire, undo the clasp, and remove the wheel from the bike. For a standard tire, remove the the nuts holding the axle to the mounting brackets, using the fixed wrenches or ratchets.
Step 2
Loosen the brake mount on your tire with your wrenches or ratchet if necessary. Not all bicycles will require the loosening of the brake mount to remove the tire.
Step 3
Remove the tire from the mounting brackets.
Remove the Tire
Step 1
Deflate your tire as much as you can by hand.
Step 2
Insert a tire lever into the wheel well between the rim and the sidewall of the tire.
Step 3
Lever the edge of the tire wall over the rim so the tire wall is on the outside. Move the rest of the tire wall to the outside of the rim by inserting the second tire level and running it around the outside edge of the rim.
Step 4
Push the tube nozzle through the rim, and pull the entire tube out from the tire.
Find the Leak
Step 1
Fill a sink, tub or large bowl with at least 4 inches of water.
Step 2
Pump air into the tube. Do not fill the tube too much--you do not want to aggravate leaks or strain the rubber.
Step 3
Put sections of the tube into the water. Watch for any constant flow of air from the tube. Even tiny leaks will bubble when submerged in water.
Step 4
Mark the spots of your leaks with a permanent marker.
Step 5
Carefully run your hands over the entire surface of the inside of the tire. Remove any objects that could have caused a leak or that do not belong.
Patch the Tube
Step 1
Use the sandpaper included in the patch-repair kit to abrade the entire surface that the patch will cover.
Step 2
Apply patch cement included in the patch-repair kit to the patch to be applied and to the surface on the tube around the leak.
Step 3
Firmly press the patch onto the location of the leak so the center of the patch is aligned with the leak.
Step 4
Check the inside of the wheel again for any causes of leaks, and remove them while you let the patch cement dry the appropriate amount of time.
Step 5
Put a little air into the tube so it will fit easily into the tire. Do not fill it to the point of distortion.
Reassembly
Step 1
Insert the tube into the wheel wall. Align the tube so you can push the tube nozzle through the rim.
Step 2
Get a bead over the rim by the tube nozzle. Slowly work a second bead around the rim until the entire tire wall is within the rim.
Step 3
Put the tire back onto the mounting brackets. Make sure the wheel is within the brake assembly.
Step 4
Tighten the nuts holding the axle to the mounting brackets in the frame. Set and tighten the brake assembly if necessary.
Step 5
Fill the tire with air to the proper level.
Things You'll Need
- Tire repair kit
- Fixed wrench set or ratchet set
- Tire levers
- Bike pump
- Spare tube
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