Patching up a flat tire |
 Of
your many trips to the bike shop, having a flat tire
repaired will be the quickest and least expensive.
Puncture a tire? No problem. Bolt on down to your bike
shop and your bike technician will have you up and
humping the trail again in under 30 minutes.
The
process is so easy why would you ever desire to fix a
flat yourself? Well, don’t get too dependant on
your
bike shop. Bike shops close. Almost every cyclist has
had to repair an unfortunate flat after business hours.
One day you may find yourself nursing a curb, having to
patch a punctured tire as well. When you do, here’s how: |
1. detach the brake to allow removal of rim
2. place
bike upside down on its
handlebars and seat
3. loosen the axel from the frame or fork
4. remove the rim
* if removing the rear wheel, and
must remove the derailleur, take special note of the
chains arrangement. Take a picture if necessary. It is
important the
derailleur be rechained correctly.
5.
Once the rim is removed you must remove the tire from
the rim. Tire removal is deceptively easy. Incorrect
removal can result in a costly repair, such as a ripped
inner tube, a torn rim strap, or rim replacement. |
turn bike over |
6.
Use a bike lever to prevent unnecessary labor removing
the tire. Bike levels are usually plastic with curved
edges to prevent punctures.
7.
Unscrew the air valve, press the center tip, and squeeze
the tire. This ensures the tire is completely flat.
8.
Once the tire is deflated, squeeze the tire all around
the rim, freeing the tire bead (edge) from the rims
trough (housing). |
loosen tire edge |
9.
Place the edge of the tire lever in a slacked area
between the rim and tire. Hook its opposite end onto a
spoke.
10.
Place another lever a few inches away on the same side.
Pry the tire bead off there.
11.
Repeat this process for a third lever but glide this one
around the rim, popping off the side of the tire as it
passes.
|
pry & hook tire lever
|
12.
Slightly pull back the dismounted edge of the tire.
Leaving the opposite side on the rim, gently remove the
inner tube from the freed side. Take special care not to
damage the valve stem on removal.
13.
Inflate the inner tube with your portable air pump.
Listen for a hissing signifying an air leak. If no
hissing is heard, the leak is very small, therefore the
inner tube must be submersed in water and found by its
trail of small bubbles. |
slide lever around rim |
14.
Mark the hole with a pen once you’ve found it. If no pen
is available slightly tear the hole to easily recall its
location.
15.
Open your repair kit. It’s now time to patch the hole.
Scuff the area around the hole with sandpaper or a metal
scraper. Scuff an area larger than the patch.
16.
Brush away any loose rubber shavings
17.
Stick your self-adhesive patch over the hole and
reinstall the inner tube. If your repair kit comes with
a patch that requires gluing, apply the glue around the
hole first. Then place the patch firmly over the hole.
Hold in place for one minute. Glue patches tend to last
longer than self-adhesive patches.
18.
Reinsert your inner tube.
19.
Air it up
20.
Remount the tire.
21.
Reattach the brake assembly.
22. Churn out the rest
of your ride. |
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