Tire & Inner Tube Replacement

When changing your flat tire, weather it be on the trail or at home in your work area there are a few good things to know. There is nothing worse than reseating your tire and continuing to pump it up to find out its flat again.

Needed Supply's:

-Tube

-Pump

-Rag (when at home)

1st you want to let all the air out of the tire. You’ll find that even though you have a flat sometimes there still will be a small amount of air left in the tire. If you have a Presta valve its easy to release the rest of the air. Go ahead unscrew the valve head, press down and let the air out while squeezing the tire to make sure it’s completely depleted.

















As far as a Schrader valve you will need to find a small stick if your on the trail, and a small screwdriver while at home. Using one of these utensils press down on the pin inside the valve and release the air. Continue to do the same as a Presta valve, deplete the tire/ tube.

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2nd stretch the tire out. Start from the valve stem and pull the tire away from the rim around the whole wheel. This should unseat the tire from the rim.

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3rd you should be able to peal the tire off the rim without using tires levers. Some tires are a bit tough and require tire levers. If you can steer clear from the levers it reassures not pinching your tire and getting another flat before you pump up your tire.

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If tire levers are needed, carefully place the flat end of the lever between the tire and rim and slowly peel the tire back. Hook the lever on your spoke and repeat with another lever about 6 inches away from the first lever. This will release the tire from the rim and you should be able to continue pealing the rest of the tire off the rim.

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4th check the tire for cause of flat. Carefully run a rag on the inside of the tire. The rag will snag on the sharp object, letting you know where and what caused your flat tire. Use a rag instead of your hand to eliminate cutting yourself. Carefully remove the object from you tire.

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Sometimes you will find nothing and the flat will be caused from a pinch flat. This is when your tire meets your rim with the tube in between the two. Usually from hitting rocks, roots, ext. Check your tube if nothing was found in the tire. If a pinch flat is the case you will find two holes in the tire side by side. It looks like a snake bite.

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Whatever the cause for your flat tire is, replace or patch the tube.

5th install your new or patched tube and new or old tire. You want to inflate a small amount of air in the tire, enough for the tube to take shape. Place the tube in the tire (while the tire is off the rim) and start by placing your valve stem in the hole in the rim.

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6th carefully reinstall the tire, one side at a time. Make sure you set the bead without your tube in the way. When you’re pumping up your tire you don’t want the tube to creep out the side of the tire and eventually pop.

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7th step of this process is pump up your tire, throw the wheel back on your bike. Ride or drive to your destination and tare it up.

Matt-