How to Patch a Tubeless Bike Tire

Whether you're biking for recreation or competition, flat tires are bad news. With the proper tools and supplies in your kit, you can make a temporary repair flat and get back on the road without ruining your outing, then make a permanent repair when you get back home. The procedure for repairing the tires varies, depending on whether or not your tires have sealant, or no sealant (dry).

Things You'll Need

  • Marker
  • Hand tools
  • Plastic tire lever
  • Clean empty cup or pail
  • Paper towel or hair dryer
  • Tire cement
  • Tire patch
  • CO2 inflator or hand pump
  • Superglue
  • Reservoir to store sealant temporarily
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Instructions

  1. Repairing Tires with Sealant

    • 1

      Mark the puncture with a marker. There should be sealant oozing from the puncture site.

    • 2

      Rotate the valve stem to the six o'clock position, allowing sealant that is in the valve to drain. After a minute, rotate the tire 180 degrees so the stem is at the 12 o'clock position, which allows the sealant to accumulate at the bottom of the tire. If the tire isn't completely flat, bleed the remaining air from the tire by depressing the pin in the valve until all the air is released. Remove the wheel from the bicycle using hand tools.

    • 3

      Break the seal between the tire and the rim on both sides, squeezing the tire firmly with your hand. Then use a plastic tire lever to pry about a quarter of the tire off one side of the rim, right around the puncture site, exposing the inside of the tire. Rotate the tire so the open area is at the bottom so that the sealant can pool there, then pour the sealant out of the tire and into a reservoir such as a clean empty cup or pail. Save the sealant to put back into the tire when the repair has been made.

    • 4

      Dry the inside of the puncture site as thoroughly as possible, using a paper towel and sunlight if you are on the road, or a hair dryer if you are at home. Once the area is completely dry, apply a thin coat of patch cement around the puncture. When the cement is dry but still tacky, apply a patch over the puncture.

    • 5

      Clean any dirt or sand from the tire bead that might interfere with a firm seal. Pour the sealant back into the tire. Rub a little of the sealant with your finger around the exposed bead. Rotate the open area of the tire back to the top, then press the bead back over the rim. Use your hands to work the bead back against the rim on each side. Once the bead is making good contact with the rim on both sides, inflate the tire with a CO2 inflator or hand pump.

    Temporary Repairs for Tires with No Sealant

    • 6

      Locate the spot of the puncture and mark it. If the tire isn't completely flat, bleed the remaining air out of the tire.

    • 7

      Squeeze the tire between your fingers around the puncture site so the inside of the puncture is exposed. Apply a drop of superglue through the inside of the puncture and into the tire. Release the pinch so the puncture closes, holding the puncture closed if necessary.

    • 8

      Inflate the tire with a CO2 inflator or hand pump after the super glue has set. Most super glues set after a minute or two.

    Long-term Repairs for Tires with No Sealant

    • 9

      Deflate the tire and break it away from the rim, as in Step 3 of Section 1 of this article.

    • 10

      Pry about a quarter of the tire around the puncture site away from the rim with a plastic tire lever to expose the inside of the puncture.

    • 11

      Clean the area around the puncture, then apply a thin coat of patch cement to the inside of the tire around the puncture. When the cement is tacky, apply a tire patch over the puncture.

    • 12

      Put the tire completely back on the rim. Rub soapy water or tire sealant around the bead on both sides. When the bead makes good contact with the rim on both sides, inflate the tire.