Bontrager sells a variety of bicycle tires. Most use tubes, but some are tubeless tires. Like any brand of bike tire, Bontrager tires eventually deflate from normal wear or accidental puncturing. Bike patches seal off holes temporarily, but the best way to fix a malfunctioning bike tire is complete replacement. The process for changing a Bontrager tire is similar for tube and tubeless tires.
Step 1
Remove the entire wheel from your bike. Some bike wheels are detachable with small clips or handles designed to be unscrewed by hand, others require an adjustable wrench for removal.
Step 2
Unscrew the valve cap on the detached wheel.
Step 3
Squeeze the tire to deflate it. Get as much air out as possible through the open valve and any punctures in the old tire.
Step 4
Slide the deflated tire off the rim. If your old tire has a tube, also take the tube off at this time.
Step 5
Place a new tube inside your the Bontrager tire. If the tire is tubeless, skip to Step 7.
Step 6
Inflate the tube halfway using a hand pump or electric bike pump. This gives the Bontrager tire a slightly more rigid shape, but it is still flexible enough to slip onto the wheel.
Step 7
Slide the tire onto the wheel. It will be a tight fit, and you will likely need to slide the tire over the wheel's lip in 3- or 4-inch sections, moving your fingers around the tire.
Step 8
Inflate the tire. Depending on the exact Bontrager tire you are using, ideal tire pressure varies. Most Bontrager tires include a small notation on the tire regarding recommended pressure. Use a pressure gauge to attain optimal tire pressure.
Step 9
Screw the valve cap back on, and reattach the wheel.
Things You'll Need
- Adjustable wrench
- Bike pump
- Pressure gauge
References
- "Road Bike Maintenance"; Guy Andrews; 2008
- "Every Woman's Guide to Cycling: Everything You Need to Know, from Buying Your First Bike to Winning Your First Race"; Selene Yeager; 2008
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