How to Patch a Bicycle Tire: 13 Steps (with Pictures)

2024 Author: Jason Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-19 22:11

Imagine this, if you were to travel seven miles or 15 miles by bicycle in a desert, and your front tire was punctured by a nail or hit by a sharp rock. What will you do - go back to where you started to fix the bike or fix it on the road and finish the race like a champ? If you know how to identify and patch your bicycle's inner tube, you can prepare to carry a simple patching kit with you every time you travel.

Step

Part 1 of 3: Locating the Leak

Step 1. Remove the tire from the bicycle

The first thing you should do is remove the punctured tire. If you have a lever for easy removal of the tire, turn it over and turn it counterclockwise to loosen the tire. If, you see a nut, then you need a wrench to remove it. Next, release the brakes, move the brake pads out, and remove the tires.

• If you are having problems with the rear tires, which are the chains and gears to deal with. Loosen the chain by sliding it into the smallest set of teeth. Loosen the lever or remove the nut holding the tire. If necessary, use your hands to pull back on the small pulley to release the chain.

  

Step 2. Use the lever to remove the tire

When you have successfully removed it, take the inner tube. To do this, use a tool for prying the tire called a tire lever. The tire lever is specially designed for prying the tire out. Be careful not to tear the inner tube causing further damage.

• You don't have to use the tire lever. Whatever it is as long as it can pry strong enough and can work well. You can even use a screwdriver or knife to do this.

  

Step 3. Locate the hole causing the leak

When the tire has been removed, pull the inner tube out of the outer tire and locate the leak - this can be done in several ways listed below:

• Visually inspect the rubber surface for leaks

  

• Listen to the leak sound

  

• Feel the air coming out of the inner tube

  

• Dip the inner tube in the water and see where the bubbles come out

  

Step 4. Mark the Holes

Leak holes in tires can look very small. Once you find one, you certainly don't want to lose it and have to search again! Use a piece of chalk to make a "+" or "x" sign that intersects at the point of the leak. If you're using glue for a patch, make a big mark so you can still see it after you've applied the glue.

If you don't have chalk, you can use a pen or anything else you can use to make a visible mark

Part 2 of 3: Patching Holes

Step 1. Remove the foreign object from the hole

Once you find the hole, carefully examine the hole, you don't know what object is causing the leak, it could be broken glass, sharp stones, etc.). Be careful when checking the rim of the inner tube and then remove the foreign object if you find it. You certainly don't want the same object to do further damage to your inner tube.

Step 2. If needed, sand around the hole

Different types of patches work in different ways - some require glue, some don't, and some require sanding first, some can stick to the inner tube easily. You have to estimate the sanding direction. Sand around the hole as wide as the patch you are going to use, this will allow the patch to stick firmly.

If you are hesitant to use this sanding method, then just sand a little in the hole area, actually there is no problem if you don't sand it first

Step 3. Install the patch

Next, stick the patch over the hole. Some patches require glue, while others will stick on their own - a second patch may be easier but is risky enough to leak again. A general guide to installing the patch is below, follow each instruction.

• Patches that require glue: apply glue around the hole, wait for the glue to dry a bit (the instructions for how long it will take for the glue to dry are in the guide). Then, apply the patch to the glued area when it's slightly dry, hold it in place and press it in place for a few minutes.

  

• Patches that don't require glue (sometimes called "adhesive" patches): Simply remove the patch from the wrapper and place it over the hole as on a sticker. Press firmly, waiting for it to dry before removing it.

  

Step 4. Replacing the inner tube with a new one is the best option

If you have an inner tube that is badly damaged, you may avoid wasting a patch and opt to replace the entire tube. Inner tubes that have serious damage may not last as long with just a patch, replacing them with new ones is the best option. If you can get a new inner tube, the process of replacing the old one is not difficult. Here are some types of inner tube damage that you may not be able to rely solely on a patch:

• There are more holes
• Torn inner tube
• Tires still leak even after patching.

Part 3 of 3: Replacing the Tires

Step 1. Replace the inner tube

After you have installed the patch, carefully place it inside the tire cavity. This will usually be easy if you inflate the inner tube a little and slide one side first, then the rest. When finished, check again to make sure no inner tube is coming out of the tire.

• Make sure the air valve goes in (away from the tire) when you put the tube in so you can finally inflate it.

  

Step 2. Put it back on the wheel

Next, use your thumb to slide the tire (which contains the inner tube) back onto the wheel. Press the outer lip of the tire that is above the lip of the rim until it "locks" securely in place, being careful not to tear the inner tube that is between the tire and rim. You may need to use a lever or prying tool to help with your work.

• Note that some bicycle tires are meant for one direction only. In this case, the direction in which the rotation is going will usually be indicated by a small arrow on the tire wall. Do not install the tire in the direction of the arrow! This can reduce spin performance and cause the tires to be installed incorrectly.
• Don't forget that the air valve has to go through the small hole in the rim for you to pump it up.

Step 3. Inflate the inner tube gradually so that the tire snaps into place

Next, grab an automatic or hand-operated pump and start pumping your inner tube. Inflate gradually so that the inner tube does not shift and stays in place. When it's completely filled, press the tire and feel if it's still not enough or enough air, let the bike sit for a few minutes, then press the tire again. If it feels like enough of the first pressure, then you're ready to ride again.

If you're worried about whether the inner tube is in the right position or not, feel free to inflate the inner tube a little before installing the inner tube on the wheel. Keep in mind, however, that this will make the tire more difficult to remove

Step 4. Reinstall the bicycle wheel

You're almost done installing it - all you have to do now is slide the rear wheel of the bike, make sure the screw is securely in place on the wheel nut, put the brake back on, and you're good to go (if you've finished working on the rear wheel, in which case you should also be careful. be careful in the installation of the chain around the teeth). Drive carefully until you are sure that the patch won't leak again, then continue driving as usual!

Step 5. Consider buying a new inner tube

Patches may be useful, but only temporarily, not forever. A large patch can help the inner tube last until you are out of the woods, but does not guarantee a good long term solution for the inner tube if it leaks again. While good quality patches are pretty much like new inner tubes, others can leak shortly after being patched or may provide temporary protection. No patch can really protect your inner tube forever, so if you get the chance to go to a bike shop, it's a good idea to buy a new one.

Suggestion

• Some tires have fluid in them that can automatically repair leaks. Sometimes this too can fail. One thing you can do is remove the inner tube and fill it with enough air to allow the fluid to escape. You can also clean the debris causing the leak to let the liquid out. If no fluid is visible or oozing out, then you will need to patch or replace the inner tube as usual.
• Patches that don't require glue usually last only a short time. According to the description on the patching tool, the patch is already set up for this kind of temporary situation.
• The glue for attaching the patch is skin-safe, so you don't have to worry.