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of bicycle you may also need crescent wrenches to remove the wheel from the bike. Or your bike may have quick releases in which case you will not need any wrenches.

Now that you have all the tools you need lets imagine it's the worst case scenario, you're out riding off-road by yourself and you flat. Remember that a quick rush job may result in another flat tire take your time be patient and precise.

Step 1: Get off the trail/road so you don't get hit by anybody flying by. Before doing anything else inspect the flat tire to see if anything is poking out or any visible cuts as this can help determine the cause.

Step 2: Remove the wheel from the bicycle, if your flat occurred on the rear wheel, change your gear to the third cog from the bottom this will help in removal and installation later. You may also need to loosen the brake off.

Step 3: To change a tube you will only need to remove one bead or side of the tire from the rim. Use a tire lever to pry the bead up and over the rim wall. Be careful to only hook the bead and not the tube at this point. Slide the lever all the way around the tire until the entire bead is off the one side.

Step 4: Now reach inside and pull the tube out of the rim. Now focus on the removed tube, you need to find out what caused the flat. If nothing catches your eye pump up the tube until you can feel or hear air escaping.

If the puncture is on the bottom of the tube, the part of the tube that touches the rim, then you need to inspect the rim. There should be a piece of tape that looks like hockey tape on the rim. This tape covers up the sharp spoke holes. If any of the tape is out of place and exposing a spoke hole then this could be the culprit. It may also be a pinch flat, which would look like a snakebite with two little holes, in which case you just need to replace the tube. If the puncture is on the outer part of the tube, the area in which it contacts the tire then, you need to inspect the tire for cuts, thorns, nails etc. By gently running your hand on the inside of the tire you can usually feel anything sharp, but be careful not to cut yourself on a big rusty nail, always make a visual inspection first to catch anything big.

Step 5: Once you have inspected and fixed the problem by removing the foreign object or adjusting the rim tape. Then its time to install the new tube, if you found a big cut or gash this is when the boot comes in handy. Partially inflate the tube just enough that it holds itself in a round shape. Insert the

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