How to Patch a Bike's Tubes

You can purchase a bike tube patch kit that includes everything that you will need to patch a hole in your bike tube. A permanent patch is usually the best choice, as opposed to a glueless non-permanent one.

Things You'll Need

  • Bike tube patch kit
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Instructions

    • 1

      Empty the tube of air and remove the tire from your bicycle. You might need some sort of lever to get the tire off the wheel. Take the tube out of the tire. Inflate it just enough so that you can find the hole and then deflate it again.

    • 2

      Scuff up the area around the hole with the sandpaper included in your patch kit. This creates a textured area to which the patch can adhere.

    • 3

      Spread a thin layer of glue over the hole. This layer of glue should be slightly larger than the patch itself. Allow the glue to set for 1 to 2 minutes.

    • 4

      Place the permanent patch over the glue and press firmly. You can scrape your fingernail over it a few times to make sure the glue sets into the textured surface you made in Step 2. When you are sure that the patch has adhered properly, remove the thin piece of plastic.

    • 5

      Replace the tube and tire and re-inflate the tube. When you are putting the tire back on the wheel, take care not to pinch the tube between the tire and wheel or you risk more damage to the tube. You can ride your bike again immediately.