How to Change a Bike Tire Tube
For any bicycle user, knowing how to change bike tires and bike tubes are essential when you run into a flat tire. Here are the things you need to keep at hand and the steps to change your bike tire tubes.
Tools
Bike tube and valve in correct size. Keep in mind that there are many tube sizes and you must use the correct one. Most mountain bikes require 26 inches of tire tubes all around, while road bikes can measure up to 27 inches / 70 cm of tire tube all around. You can check your bike’s tube size on the tires of your bicycle. It should be indicated there.
Tire levers
Bicycle gloves
Bike tire air inflator
What to Do
You may want to use protection for your eyes and ears, as tubes can pinch or explode during switching.
Take the wheel off the bike and deflate the bicycle tube.
Use your tire levers to hook the outside edge of the bicycle tire bead. Hook it all around the rim until the tire is removed completely. Do the same for the other side of the bead. Before popping it off the frame, remember the exact position of the tire to help you determine the cause of the malfunction later on.
Put on your bicycle gloves for the next step. Inspect the outside of the bicycle tire and use your fingers to brush inside the bicycle wire, or turn the tire inside-out. Remove any debris or sharp objects that may have caused the tire to puncture. If there is a hole, try to locate its corresponding effect on the bicyle tires.
If you can’t visually find the hole in your tire tube, inflate the tube slighly to around 15 psi. Make the necessary repair if you can and remove the bike tube.
Get the new tube and inflate it slightly until it takes on the regular tube shape.
Put the tube in the inside of the bike tire.
When orienting the tube to fit into the bicycle wheel frame, make sure that the valve stem is inserted into the rim first.
Roll the tire bead over the rim with your fingers or with the tire levers. Do the same for the other side.
Inflate to around 20 psi and use your hands to make sure that both tire and tube are seated properly on the rim.
Inflate the tire fully, which typically takes 40 psi.
Give the bike tire another look-over, and you’re good to go.