How to fix a flat bicycle tire

The most important thing when training is to be prepared for any circumstance or problem that arises, especially when we ride a bicycle.

Whether you’re out for a walk on pavement, gravel, or rocky trails, at any time you can get a flat tire, compromising your ride.

Very few people know how to fix a punctured bicycle tire ; therefore, it is important that you take a look at these tips that will help you learn how to do it easily and quickly. Flat tires will no longer be a problem.

Guide to repair bicycle tires

1. Tools you should have on hand

• Tire lever.
• A replacement tube (also known as a casing) of the correct size.
• A pump for inflation (mini pump or a CO2 cartridge).
• Tire patch or plug kit.

2. Repair the hole in your tire

Typically, in the case of a flat bicycle tire, the first thing to do is remove the tire to assess the problem from the inside. But in some cases, many mountain bikers, gravel riders, or even some road riders often fix their puncture problems with a tire plug.

The tire plug kits come with a small rubber strip and an inserter, which allows the hole to be plugged without having to change the tire casing. Once you check the tire and determine where the puncture is located, insert the cap and re-inflate the tire to the proper pressure, then check to see if it is holding back air. If it holds the air properly, drive again and check the repair every so often.

3. How to fix a flat tire

If the tire plug is not enough to fix the fault, then you should remove the wheel. For it:

1. Keep your bike in an upright position, unless it is a rear wheel, in which case you should shift your transmission to the hardest gear possible. If you have rim brakes (many bikes still use them), you may need to loosen the brake as well.
2. Stand on the opposite side of the bike chain and open the quick release or unscrew the axle to remove the wheel.
3. Once you have managed to remove the tire, with the help of a lever, remove the tire from the rim of the bicycle (it is not necessary to completely remove the rim).

4. Find the puncture

1. Once the tire is off, remove the old tube or casing if necessary; Then find the spot where the puncture occurred, which could be a nail, a piece of glass, or a sharp object.
2. Then, run your fingers very carefully around the tire to make sure that there are no remains of another object that could cause another puncture.
3. Lastly, take a good look at the outside of the tire, again looking for any objects that may be stuck in the rubber.

5. How to fix an old tube puncture

If you are a thrifty person, who likes to reuse old tubes, or have had multiple puncture problems lately and don’t have any more spares, then you should patch your tube or gut with a patch kit.

To do this, you should start by cleaning the perforated area and roughing the surface with an emery cloth. If you are using a patch without glue, then simply stick it over the hole and press firmly.

For a patch that requires glue, you need to add a thin layer of glue to the tube and to the patch, then you need to wait for the glue to take effect, and lastly apply the patch and press firmly until it sticks.

6. Reinstall the tube or casing

1. To reinstall your tube, you must start by inflating it enough so that it maintains its shape, this will facilitate the placement of the tube inside the tire. Then with the valve stem installed directly over the valve hole in the rim, begin to turn the wheel carefully, while with the help of your hands you place the tube inside the tire. Try not to use a lever to place the tube where the tire is, as you can puncture it again.
2. To verify that the tire is not “pinching” the tube or casing, you should gently push the tire to the side. Then inflate the tire to the proper PSI and verify that the wheel is seated properly.
3. If everything looks good, replace the wheel, making sure the quick-release or thru-axle lever is on the opposite side of the transmission.
4. If you have a bike with flat rear wheels, you should wrap the top of the chain around the smallest tooth on your cassette, then carefully push the wheel into the frame.
5. Close the quick release (and rim brakes if applicable) or insert the thru axle back into the frame and hub to screw it in.
6. Finally, lift the rear wheel up and turn the cranks once to make sure everything is back in place and running smoothly.

conclusion

When going out to ride a bicycle, whether for recreational purposes or for training, it is essential that you are prepared for any type of mishap that comes your way, such as a flat tire.

In addition to having the necessary tool kit, it is essential that you know how to do the work, in this way you can solve this problem quickly and safely.

References

• Jason, S. How to Fix a Flat Bike Tire. For Bicycling [Revised November 2019].