How to Replace a Bicycle Inner Tube

Over time, cyclists should learn to take care of their bike's general maintenance needs. Most learning takes place when real problems, such as a flat tire, occur. If you have a flat tire because of a punctured tube, save a few bucks by fixing it yourself. You can determine which tube size you need by reading the tire sizing information stamped on the sidewalls of your bike’s tires. Patch kits are available for patching tubes so that you can use them again.

Things You'll Need

  • 2 bicycle tire levers
  • Tire pump
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Instructions

    • 1

      Remove the wheel with the flat tire from the bike by opening the lever and loosening the lever bolt on the wheel's hub.

    • 2

      Unscrew the tube valve cap and press down on the wire inside the cap to release any remaining air. If your tire has a Presta valve, which is long and skinny, loosen the circular fitting on the valve tip by unscrewing it, then press down on the top of the valve to release the remaining air.

    • 3

      Unscrew and remove the retaining ring at the base of the tube's valve, if your tube has one.

    • 4

      Insert the flat tip of one of the bike tire levers between the tire and the wheel rim and use it to pop the tire edge out from behind the rim edge. Leave the lever in place.

    • 5

      Insert a second tire lever a few spokes away from the first lever. Slide the flat tip of the second lever all around the tire rim to pop the entire tire edge out from behind the rim.

    • 6

      Remove both levers.

    • 7

      Push the tube valve through the valve hole in the rim and, using your fingers, grasp the tube and pull it out and away from underneath the tire, leaving the tire in place on the wheel rim.

    • 8

      Run your fingers carefully and gently along the inside of the tire to dislodge and remove anything that might puncture the new tube, like thorns, broken glass or nails.

    • 9

      Use your tire pump to add just enough air to the new tube to stiffen it slightly.

    • 10

      Tuck the tube under the tire and insert the valve through the wheel rim's valve hole.

    • 11

      Use your fingers to tuck the edge of the tire back behind the wheel rim on both sides. If necessary, you can use a tire lever to help ease the tire back into place. Be careful not to pinch the tube between the tire and wheel rim.

    • 12

      Replace the retaining ring at the base of the tube valve, if necessary.

    • 13

      Use your air pump to finish filling the tube with air.