A flat tire is the number-one breakdown on the bike, and it's the simplest repair to master. With three tools and ten minutes, you're rolling again. Here's how to fix it on the road or in the workshop.
What You Need
- Tire levers (2 will do the job).
- A spare tube at the right size, OR a patch kit (if you prefer to repair).
- A pump: floor pump at home, mini-pump or CO2 inflator in your saddlebag.
The Steps
- Remove the wheel. In the back, shift to the smallest cog to make removal easier.
- Pry one side of the tire with your tire levers, then pull out the tube.
- Find the culprit. Inflate the tube slightly to locate the hole, then run your finger inside the tire: any glass shards, thorn, or debris still embedded will puncture a new tube.
- Patch or replace. Apply a patch (let the glue dry) or install a fresh tube.
- Remount. Put a little air in the tube to give it shape, work it back into the tire, then reseat the tire on the rim without pinching the tube (the classic cause of a second flat).
- Inflate to the pressure marked on the tire sidewall (in psi).
The Traps
- A pinch flat (or "snakebite"—two holes side by side) happens when your tire is under-inflated and gets pinched against a curb or pothole. Prevention: run the correct pressure.
- Forget the debris in the tire = instant second flat. Always inspect.
