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How to repair a bicycle flat tire

bikes (BMX, Single Speed, and Track) you may need a wrench to loosten the fastening bolts. For a quick release, simply pull out on the lever and then loosten the nut on the other side, no tools needed. If this is a rear wheel, you may have to push forward on the rear derailleur (the thing that makes your chain shift) to free the wheel from the chain.

Step 2: Remove the tire (or ar least one side) - To do this, place the flat end of your tire lever between the rim (metal hoop of wheel) and the tire, and pry the tire up and over the rim wall to the outside of the rim. You can then slide your tire lever around the wheel between the tire and rim to bring the entire side of the tire outside of the rim. Once you get good this can often be done with your thumbs, no lever needed.

Step 3: Remove the old tube. Start by pulling the tube out of the tire opposite the valve. Once most of the tube is out, the valve will be removed by pulling it up through the rim from the outside or the wheel. You may have have to pull the tire back out of the way to get the valve out of the rim.

Step 4: Sweep the tire- Often flats are caused by objects puncturing the tire. If that object is left in the tire, it will cause the new tube to go flat as well. Run your hand around the inside of the tire and feel for anything sharp sticking through. Please be careful that you don't cut yourself on it. If you find something sharp, remove it. You may also want to check that the tape on your rim is covering all of the spoke holes on the inside as flats can also occure if those holes become exposed.

Step 5: Install new tube - Put just enough air in the tube to give it some form. This will make your life a lot easier and make it less likely for you to get the tube pinched between the tire and rim. Place the valve through the valve hole, and put the rest of the tube inside the tire all the way around the wheel.

Step 6: Put the tire back in the rim- Around the inside of the tire there is a kevlar or wire "bead" this is a little fat section that is designed to catch the inside of the rim. Starting at the valve, push this bead to the inside of the rim. This will be easy at first, but get harder as you get more of it set. The last little bit may require you to slide the tire lever along the inside of the rim to help you pull the bead from the outside to the inside. Be careful doing this so you don't cut the new tube. Once the tire is back on I will usually push the valve up into the tire and then pull it back


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How to repair a bicycle flat tire

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How to repair a bicycle flat tire

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