The avid bikers have to face the popped up or wear put tires in the middle of the road. If you know how to change a road bike tire, then you can easily repair it. This takes not more than an hour, and your bike will be ready for another ride.
How to Change a Flat Road Bike Tire?
You can deal with this frustration easily if you are prepared well. It is recommended to carry a bike or bicycle tool kit to fix such problems. The steps to do so include
1. Remove the Wheel of the Bike
You can fix it easily by first removing the bike whee. This is a 2 step process.
Release the Brakes
The brake assembles mostly make use of a quick-release system for connecting and disconnecting. The design and the location of such systems are dependent on the brakes style. There is a knob at the end of the cable. To release the cable, squeeze the brakes together.
Some make use of a quick-release lever. In such a system you can open this lever to release the brake. Avoid touching the rotor in the disc brakes. The rotor is present quite nearer to the quick release lever and is much hot. Thus if you touch it, then it can burn you too.
Release the Wheel
After disengaging the brake assembly, you will find that the bike wheel is connected to the fork or the frame by the axle of the wheel.
To release it, follow these steps.
Quick Release Axle
Front Wheel
Firstly open the lever and release the tension that holds the wheel by unscrewing the nut.
Rear Wheel
- Shift the chain on the smallest rear cog and then remove the rear wheel.
- To shift the chain, adjust the shifter up.
- The raise the crank pedals and the bike.
- Complete the gear shift.
- Turn your bike upside down.
- Open the quick-release lever by turning the rear axle.
- Unscrew the nuts.
- Lift the wheel out.
- You will see the wheel doesn’t tangle in the chain and comes out easily.
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Bolt-on Axles
- Use two wrenches to grab the axles’ both ends.
- Then turn the wrenches.
2. Removing the Tube
- Firstly depress the small plunger in the tire valve center in order to release the air from the flat tire.
- Afterward, unseat the tire bead by the following method.
- Push an edge of the bead towards the rim’s center. You can get some additional leverage by using the tire levers.
- When working with the tire lever, begin with the sections of the tire that is opposite to the valve. This will prevent damage to the valve stem. Pry the tire bead up using the longer end of one of the tire.
- When one section of the tire bead is free, you can unseat the remaining of the bead using your fingers.
- Then pull the valve stem out to remove the inflatable tube.
The remaining tube will slide out quite easily on pulling.
Find the Cause of the Flat
It is important to have a look at the origin of the flat tire while removing the tube. It might be a piece of a glass or a nail. This can damage your replaced tube.
- Check the tire’s outer surface for any signs of wear.
- Then have a look at the inside of the tire for any damage.
- Check out the valve.
- Remove the foreign debris.
Replacing or Repairing the Tube
It includes the following steps.
- Find the damaged area and then clean and dry it.
- Rough up this surface using sandpaper.
- Spread the vulcanizing fluid or the glue and then allow it to set.
- Apply the tube patch
- Hold this patch in place with some pressure.
Put the Tube and Tire Back On
- Make sure the tip of the rim is seated properly.
- Partially inflate the repaired or the new tube so that it holds air.
- Lower the tube on the wheel and inserts the valve in the hole of the rim valve.
- Place the terminal tube inside the tire.
- Next push the other tire bead
- Make sure that the valve and tire are in place. Also, check the edges.
- Inflate the tire slowly to its recommended pressure.
Reinstall the Bike Wheel
Rear Wheel
- Position the wheel. Line up the bike frame dropouts with the axle.
- Tighten the bolt on the bikes’ drive side while holding in place the quick-release lever.
- Close the lever when the bolt is tight. Also, check that it’s not touching the frame of the bike and is tucked out of the way.
- Finish it by spinning the pedals.
- Next check if the gears shift normally or not.
Front Wheel
- First, line up the fork dropouts with the front wheel’s axle slowly.
- Push down on the handlebar, so the axle gets seated properly in the dropouts.
- Tighten the bolt while holding the quick-release lever in place. Close the lever when the belt is tight.
- Check if everything is working or not after reconnecting the brakes.
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How to Fix a Flat Bike Tire Without a Patch?
In such a case, follow these steps:
- Remove the wheel using your hands or bike handle.
- Take out the tube.
- Find the location of the hole.
- Wrap your sunglasses’ strap around the hole. Do several rounds so that a tight knot is created.
- If you don’t have a strap, then fill the tire with leaves or grasses.
- Put the tire on the rim.
- Replace the wheel.
- Ride home slowly.
Conclusion
Almost every cyclist gets a flat. They sooner or later experience a flat tire. This unfortunate situation gives a sinking feeling. Moreover, it comes with great inconvenience.
By and large, knowing how to change a road bike tire is super useful. It’s quite easy and does not require any expensive tools.
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