How many leisure cyclists know how to fix a puncture on a bicycle? For that matter, how many experienced riders know how to get the back wheel off and, perhaps more importantly, back on, to pop in a new inner tube after a flat tire?
This article shows how easy it is to fix a bicycle puncture without getting stressed over how to get that darn back wheel on and off the bike.
Bicycle Puncture Repair
There are only a few tools required for bicycle puncture repair, namely some tire levers, a spare inner tube, a pump and a puncture repair kit to mend the punctured tube if desired. Bicycles without quick release wheel levers also require a spanner and possibly a mini tool kit to remove the wheel from the hub.
How to Change a Bike Tire on a Rear Bicycle Wheel
Follow these steps to remove the back bicycle wheel and fix a puncture:
- For bikes with V brakes, undo the brakes then turn the bike upside down.
- Lift up the quick release lever known as a skewer on the wheel hub (or use a spanner if the bike does not have quick release levers), unscrew the skewer, then pull back the rear derailleur (see picture above) before lifting the wheel out.
- Now the wheel is free, use a tire lever to release the tire from the wheel rim, placing the flat end under the tire and slipping the curved end underneath the spokes; two or sometimes three tire levers may be required to get the tire off.
- Undo the nut that holds the tire close to the rim and remove the inner tube.
- Check the tire for prickly thorns by running a finger inside the tire wall; you may need to remove the tire completely from the wheel rim to do this properly.
- Remove any thorns from the tire wall then put one side of the tire back on the rim.
- Put a little air in the new tube before placing it under the tire starting at the valve.
- Then carefully push the rest of the tire onto the rim, using both hands to ease it on all the way round.
- Stiff tires may require use of the tire lever to lever it onto the rim.
- Once the tire is back on, fully inflate the tire making sure no part of the inner tube is protruding underneath.
- Replace the nut to secure the tire and tube against the wheel rim.
- To put the rear wheel back on, pull back the rear derailleur, slot the wheel in and make sure the chain is seated snugly on the rear cassette before seating the wheel and retightening the skewer.
Bicycle Tires and Cheap Bicycle Tubes
For fast bicycle puncture repair, experienced riders tend to use folding tires which, although more expensive than rigid, beaded tires, are a real time saver as most folding bicycle tires can be removed without the need of tire levers.
Cheap bicycle tubes for riders who get lots of punctures are available in packs of ten from online cycle retailers. See this related article on cheap online mountain bike parts for more information.
Fix a Bicycle Puncture Quickly
With the right tools and a little practice, it’s easy to fix a bicycle puncture fast. Just make sure you know how to remove the rear wheel, a tricky task that is useful to know for transporting a bike without the wheels, even if a puncture never happens.
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Also of interest may be:
- Nokia Bicycle Mobile Phone Charger Makes Cycling even Greener
- How to Stop Gears Slipping on a Mountain Bike
- Tips on Buying a Bike, Road, Mountain Bike or Hybrid
- Comfortable Bike Seats for Leisure Cycling
- Cycling Holidays for Beginners in Europe and
- Mountain Biking on a Unicycle.
Helen Smeaton - Helen Smeaton runs a cycling and hiking business and is also a freelance writer and web designer. Read her profile for more information
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