How to Fix a Flat Tire and Change a Bike Tire
Whether you take your bike on smooth pavements, rocky tracks, rough gravel, or earth trails, you will likely deal with a flat. However, this should not be a problem if you know how to fix a flat and change a tire.
Below is a step-by-step guide on how to change a bike tire and fix a flat.
Before you begin any fixing, you should have in hand several essential tools. This includes tire levers, a spare tube, an air pump, and patch kits or tire plugs.
1. Remove the Tire
Place your bike in an upright position shift the drive train to the highest gear if you are dealing with a rear-wheel flat. Also, loosen the brakes if they are rim brakes. Stand on the non-drive side ad unthread the thru-axle and remove the wheel. Use tire levers to unseat the tire from the rim.
2. Identify the Problem
Remove the tube and look for the culprit of the flat. You can inflate the tube to find the leak. Check the rim and the tire for any foreign object, especially sharps.
3. Fix the Problem
Install a new tube if you have one. If you don’t, clean the punctured area with an emery cloth. Stick a patch on the hole and press firmly. For patches without glue, stick the patch in the hole and press firmly.
4. Install the Tube
Inflate the tube just a little and install it into the tire. Ensure the tube valve is through the rim’s valve hole. Re-install the tire back to the rim.
5. Reinstall the Wheel
After inflating your tire, re-attach the wheel onto the bike. The same process is used for tubeless tires. However, sealants fix the problem automatically, but a tire plug is used in place of a patch for bigger punctures.