One of the most annoying things which can happen to any bicyclist is getting a flat tire. A flat tire will render your bike unusable and, depending on where the flat occurs, may cause you to have a long walk to your destination. So it is vital for you to learn basic bicycle maintenance so that you can quickly get the tire replaced and continue on with your journey.
Step 1
Pull the quick release lever which attaches the tire to the bike frame.
Step 2
Wiggle the tire gently to remove it from the frame. Team Estrogen recommends standing the frame on the forks which normally hold the wheel in place. Use a rag to remove the chain from the rear tire.
Step 3
Open the air valve on the tire and press it down to release the remaining air in the tire. Make sure all the air has been released before moving on.
Step 4
Pry the tire away from the rim by using tire levers. Pull up a large enough section to be able to grab the tube underneath the tire. Pull the tube away from the rim starting from the side opposite the valve. Remove the tube.
Step 5
Squeeze the tire together, unlatch it from the rim edges and pull the tire away from the rim.
Step 6
Attach one side of the new tire to the interior of the rim. Don't completely hook the tire into the rim so you have space to place the new tube onto the rim.
Step 7
Slightly inflate the tube using the pump so it has some definition for easier placing on the tire rim.
Step 8
Insert the tube onto the rim underneath the tire, starting with the valve. Place the tube valve through the hole in the rim and feed it around the rim. Hook the other side of the tire to the rim to enclose the tube.
Step 9
Inflate the tire to the correct pressure. This pressure reading may be located on the tire. For a heavier user, inflate a bit higher than recommended, and inflate the rear wheel higher than the front due to the extra weight it carries, suggests Sheldon Brown.
Step 10
Replace the tire on the bike in the same manner you used to remove it. Use the rag to hold the chain away from the frame and to replace it on the tire.
Tips and Warnings
- Many of the things you will need to make the repair can be found in a basic bike repair kit. Make sure you carry one with you whenever you ride.
Things You'll Need
- Bike tire tube
- Portable bike pump
- Bike tire levers
- Cloth rag
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