How To Fix Bicycle Tire

If you've ever blown a flat in the middle of nowhere, you probably wished that you knew how to fix bicycle tire flats well ahead of time. Tires take the brunt of the abuse with every trip you take, making them the most commonly replaced part of a bicycle by far. Whether you're out in the woods or riding around in the neighborhood, a little preparation can prevent you from having to walk your bicycle back home.

To fix bicycle tire flats, you will need:

• A bicycle tire lever
• A crescent wrench
• A replacement inner tube
• A bicycle tire pump
• An emery board
• Bicycle tire glue
• A bicycle tire patch
• A pen

1. Remove the damaged bicycle tire. Turn the bicycle upside-down so that the wheels are pointed up and the bicycle is standing on its handlebars and seat. Remove the wheel using the crescent wrench if it doesn't have a release function. After the wheel is removed, deflate the tire and then use the bicycle tire lever to remove the stricken tire and inner tube from the wheel.
2. Check the inner tube for any leaks. Now you'll want to use the bicycle tire pump to re-inflate the inner tube so that it's slightly over-inflated. This will allow you to hear the hissing of air from wherever the leak is located. Remove the offending object that caused the puncture, and then use a pen to mark the location of the leak.
3. Patch your stricken inner tube. Deflate the inner tube, and then use the emery board to slightly file clean the area of the leak. Apply your bicycle tire glue to the area of the leak, forming a glue spot a bit larger than the patch. Wait a minute or so for the glue to become sticky before you apply the patch, and then let the glue continue to dry for a few more minutes.
4. Reinstall the tire. Fit the inner tube and tire back onto the wheel using your bicycle tire lever. Then re-inflate the tire and make sure it holds its air before resuming your trip or returning home.

If you suspect a flat, stop riding immediately or you might damage the wheel itself. If the inner tube is blown out or the junction between the air valve and the inner tube is torn, then you'll need to replace the inner tube.