A cross-section of a bicycle wheel would show a single inner tube inflated typically to 35 lbs. per square inch or more. The tube seats on a wheel rim, pressing outwardly and evenly on the inside of a tire to give it its shape and firmness. Depending on the strength of your hands and the fit of your tire to your wheel rim, you may be able to install a tube with just one tool, a pump. While you may not be able to install a tube in three minutes like a bike messenger on your first try, you'll get faster with experience.
Step 1
Examine the outside of the tire tread for nails, broken glass or thumbtacks. Run your index finger gently on the rim tape covering the spoke ends on the rim, feeling for any tiny pieces of gravel or areas where the tape has been dislodged from covering the spoke ends. Pull the tape back over the spoke ends if necessary. Remove any debris found to avoid immediately puncturing your new tube.
Step 2
Inflate the tube, which comes out of its retail box completely flat and uninflated, enough to give it a round shape. Place the tube evenly in the tire. Line up the tire label with the tube valve to ease future pinpointing of a damaged area if you get a flat tire.
Step 3
Place the bead of the tire over one side of the rim by hand with the valve stem and label lined up with the rim's valve hole. Push the valve through the valve hole and screw the valve cap to keep the valve in place.
Step 4
Push the tube gently onto the rim. Work the second bead onto the rim starting at the valve hole. Press both thumbs on the bead about 12 inches part, spaced evenly on either side of the valve hole, to pop an initial section over the rim. Slide your hands farther apart as you continue to press your thumbs on the bead to seat it.
Step 5
Pinch both sides of the bead together with one hand and tug firmly from the valve hole around the edge rim if the final section of bead is too tight to go over the rim by hand at first; this stretching may allow the last section to roll into place. Alternatively lever the bead over the rim using tire irons or a device such as the tire bead jack by Kool Stop, recommends Alex Ramon of BicycleTutor.com.
Step 6
Inspect the outer tire bead to make certain it seats evenly. Press down briefly on the valve to test that it is not caught between the tire and the rim.
Step 7
Inflate the tire to the recommended pressure, as recommended by the PSI legend on the tire sidewall. Screw on the valve cap and place the wheel back on your bike.
Things You'll Need
- Air pump
- Tire levers
- Tire bead jack
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