Repairing Guides

how to repair a bicycle tube

by Carley Tillman Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Bike Tube Repair

  1. The Necessary. All you need is a pump and a repairing kit. ...
  2. Inflate. First thing to do: find the hole. This could be simple or pretty long. ...
  3. Blblblbbl. To find the tiny holes inflate the tube. ...
  4. Mark. Make the mark twice as big as the patch with an "X" through the center of the hole, it allows for spreading out glue if too much ...
  5. Scratch. With the help of sandpaper or grater scratch the rubber all around the hole, this will help the mastic to adhere to the tube.
  6. Mastic. Time to spread the right amount of mastic on a surface a little wider than the patch. ...
  7. Patch. The patches have a metal cover on the glue side, and a plastic foil on the other one. ...
  8. Strip. To remove the thin plastic sheet you have to keep down the patch red border with your nail. ...
  9. Inflate Again. Otherwise this is probably your reserve tube, you are at home fixing it meanwhile you relax your limbs after an hard riding morning, and you can ...
  10. Deflate and Roll Up. Now deflate (this is the tedious part), roll up the tube and hold it with an elastic. ...

Full Answer

How do you replace a bike inner tube?

Step by step guide

  • Take your tyres off. Once you’ve taken your bike wheels off, take the valve cap off the wheel and use the hook on the tyre lever to push in the ...
  • Fix the puncture. Now is a good time to sort out that puncture. ...
  • Get some air back in. Grab your bike pump and slightly inflate your inner tube before sliding it back in between the tyre and the wheel.

How to change an inner tube on a bike?

To replace a bike tube, you'll need a wrench, bike pump, and new inner tube. Start by shifting down to the most outside gear before turning the bike upside down. Loosen the nuts that attach the wheel axle to the bike, then pull the wheel clear of the bike frame. Deflate the tire fully while it’s still on the removed wheel.

How to replace a bicycle tube?

Part 3 Part 3 of 4: Installing the New Tube Download Article

  1. Pump up the replacement tube just until it has a basic circular shape. Adding too much air now will make it harder to reinstall.
  2. Feed the new tube between the outer tire and wheel rim. Start at the valve stem and feed it through the hole in the rim.
  3. Work the tire back onto the inner rim of the wheel frame. ...

More items...

How to fix a buckled wheel on a bike?

Wheel buckled? With a spoke key and some patience, you can fix this without a trip to the bike shop. A buckled wheel can ruin your ride. At best, the bike will handle oddly. At worst, the rim will rub against the brakes so it won't spin round. The good news is that a spoke key, the tool you need to fix this, will cost less than £10.

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Can you repair bike tubes?

0:512:06How to Patch a Bicycle Inner Tube - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipUsing the tube of vulcanizing glue from your patch kit start in the center and smear the fluidMoreUsing the tube of vulcanizing glue from your patch kit start in the center and smear the fluid around the hole covering an area that's at least three to four centimetres larger than the patch.

Can you patch a tear in bike tube?

Decide whether to repair or replace: Severely damaged tubes can't be saved. Clean, dry and rough up the surface area where the patch will be: It helps the adhesive stick. Spread the glue and apply the patch: Once the glue is tacky, press the patch down, holding it firmly in place.

What can you use to patch a bicycle tube?

Rubber cement provides one of the most cost-effective methods for patching a bike tube. If you don't have rubber cement on hand, it is readily available at hardware stores or online.

Is it worth patching a bike tube?

Overall, patching is cheaper and better for the environment than replacing your tube, so I recommend it for most situations. However, there are some flats that cannot be patched. If the hole is near the valve stem or if it is a linear tear and not a hole, you will need to swap tubes.

How do you fix a tube without a patch kit?

0:131:16How to Fix a Bike Flat without a Patch Kit - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipStep 3 wrap the strap from your sunglasses. Around the hole in the tube like a tourniquet tying.MoreStep 3 wrap the strap from your sunglasses. Around the hole in the tube like a tourniquet tying. Several knots around and next to the hole to create an airtight seal.

How do you fix a cut in a tube?

9:1312:25How To Fix Inner Tube With Another Bicycle Tube. How To Make a Patch ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt you can use special tools for squeezing. I'm gonna simply stand on it for two minutes a littleMoreIt you can use special tools for squeezing. I'm gonna simply stand on it for two minutes a little bit larger surface here with the glue than your patch.

Can use super glue to patch an inner tube?

Can I use super glue to mend punctures? In summary, super glue cannot be utilized to patch or repair a puncture in tires or their associated inner tubes by its very nature. Cyanoacrylate gum or super blue often gets dry, brittle, and inflexible after prolonged exposure to air.

How do you make a homemade tire patch?

5:339:35DIY Cheap + Easy Trick For A Flat Tire Repair. Never Be Left Stranded ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNext up and what you want to do you take your rubber cement that comes with your tyre plugin kit andMoreNext up and what you want to do you take your rubber cement that comes with your tyre plugin kit and you're gonna put some on. There.

Can I use contact cement to patch a bike tube?

Roughen up the area around the hole and the back (white) side of the patch. 3 - contact cement. Apply a little cement to the back side of the patch and the tire tube, less is more in this case just a thin layer will do. Next wait for the cement to get sticky, once it is sticky apply the patch.

How long can I ride on a patched bike tube?

Standard glue patches last pretty much indefinitely if applied correctly. They can be a pain to apply on the trail, but I've had them last over a year. I have 5 or so of the park glueless patches on one tube, some of which have been on there for months.

How long do bike tubes last?

With proper maintenance and storage, bicycle inner tubes have been reported to last up to 15 years, and the shortest lifespan reported is less than 7 days. Common factors that determine the life span of a bike tube include storage, temperature, heat, light, exposure to elements and riding conditions.

How often should bike tubes be replaced?

An inner tube, inside a bike tire and not exposed to high levels of ozone or petroleum fumes (or UV light), can easily last 10-20 years.

Is it safe to patch a motorcycle tube?

2:174:15INSANE Skills - HOW TO PATCH a motorcycle Tire tube like a PRO!YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd then just hold it in there until it actually solidifies with the tube. So the patch is on theMoreAnd then just hold it in there until it actually solidifies with the tube. So the patch is on the glue has to dry out so I'm going to let it dry out for a little bit.

Can you patch a tire tube?

0:141:11How To Patch a Tube - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipClean and dry the inner tube if the tube is dirty the patch may not stick spread the cement smear aMoreClean and dry the inner tube if the tube is dirty the patch may not stick spread the cement smear a thin layer of cement around the hole. And slightly bigger than the patch.

How do you patch a hole in a tube?

1:523:41How To Repair A Hole In Your Tube | Airhead Watersports - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe puncture pieces on the back of the cap. So you're just going to lightly puncture that make aMoreThe puncture pieces on the back of the cap. So you're just going to lightly puncture that make a little bit of a hole in there. And then you're going to apply the glue to the back of the patch.

Can you use super glue on inner tubes?

Can I use super glue to mend punctures? In summary, super glue cannot be utilized to patch or repair a puncture in tires or their associated inner tubes by its very nature. Cyanoacrylate gum or super blue often gets dry, brittle, and inflexible after prolonged exposure to air.

How to cure a glopped tube?

Use a thin layer of glue. More isn't better and if it is cold will take much longer to cure. If too much gets glopped on (technical term :-) ) use the end of the tube to spread it out.

How to stop a tube from sticking to a tyre?

Don't forget to rub the little block of chalk on the sandpaper over the repair and rub the chalk dust into the excess glue areas around the patch. This stops the tube potentially sticking to the tyre.....

How to get mastic to stick to rubber?

With the help of sandpaper or grater scratch the rubber all around the hole, this will help the mastic to adhere to the tube. No reason to wash away the rubber powder when finished, just blow it away or clean with your hand.

How to find tiny holes in a tube?

At this time dip the tube into water, a sector at a time, until you see the bubbles coming out.

How long should you wait before inflating a reserve tube?

Otherwise this is probably your reserve tube, you are at home fixing it meanwhile you relax your limbs after an hard riding morning, and you can wait some more time before inflating the tube to check the good air detaining. Let's say ten minutes...

What happens when you remove a plastic patch?

When you remove the metal cover, the plastic transparent sheet should remain in place , you'll remove it after the gluing process.

Where to put reserve tubes on a saddle?

A solution is to put the tube in an old sock, which makes a great rag and you can put it on your hand if you need to swing a derailleur out of the way to remove the rear wheel.

How to patch a tire tube?

Here are the typical steps for patching a tire tube: Grab your supplies: At a minimum, that’s a patch kit and tire levers for removing the tube from the tire. Find the leak: Closely check the tube; tiny holes require detective work or submersion in water to locate.

Where to find tube size on bike?

Tube size information should be on the sidewall of your tire; it should also be listed in your bike owner's manual. Some riders will use a patch as a field repair, then they replace the patched tube with a new tube at home.

How to check if bike tire has lost air?

One final check: Leave the tube out overnight, too, and check the next morning to see if it’s lost any air. If not, you’re ready to insert the partially inflated tube back into the tire. Then it’s a matter of reseating the tire onto the rim, fully inflating it and putting the wheel back on the bike.

How to check for a tube leak on a tire?

If no outer tire wounds point you toward the tube leak, then check the thin strip along the inside of your rim. Look for protruding spoke ends or areas where the strip may be distorted, allowing the tube to get pinched against a spoke-hole opening.

Can a severely damaged tube be saved?

Decide whether to repair or replace: Severely damaged tubes can’t be saved.

Can you repair a tube valve?

Any time a tube’s valve is damaged, even at the base, then it’s definitely not repairable. In a borderline case, you can try a patch and let its success or failure dictate a full tube replacement. It’s wise to carry a spare tube when you ride.

How to fix a bike tube?

Before you patch a bicycle tube, you 'll want to remove the tube from the tire and locate the puncture, which you can do by inflating the tube and checking for holes. Once you've found a hole, mark it so it's easy to locate. Next, apply glue around the hole, let it nearly dry, and press the patch into place. Alternatively, you can simply lay the patch over the hole if it's a non-glue patch. After the patch has set, feed the tube back into the tire and put the tire back on the wheel. For tips on when you should replace the tube and how to remove a wheel from the bike, read on !

How to fix a puncture on a bike?

Glue patches: Apply the glue or rubber cement to the tube around the puncture hole, wait for the glue to set (many glues must dry until they are no longer tacky — consult any included directions for more information). Finally, place the patch on the mostly-dry glue and hold firmly in place for a few minutes until it has sealed the leak. It may take about 24 hours to for the glue to dry completely, but it may be dry enough to use the bike in about 5 minutes.

How to change a bike tire?

Work the tire and tube back onto the wheel. 1 Note that some high-end bike tires are meant to only turn in one direction. In this case, the intended direction of rotation will usually be indicated by small arrows on the walls of the tires. Don't install the tire backwards! This can reduce the bike's performance and cause the tire to wear improperly. 2 Don’t forget to take the valve lid off when replacing the tube in the wheel. The lidless inflation valve should slide through a circle-shaped hole in the wheel so that it can be easily accessed for pumping.

How to get a tire out of a tire?

2. Work the tire and tube back onto the wheel. Next, use your thumbs to slide the tire (which contains the partly-inflated tube) back onto the wheel. Press the outer lips of the tire over the metal lip of the wheel so that they "lock" securely in place, being careful not to pinch the tube between the tire and the rim.

How to remove a flat tire?

Use tire levers to remove the tire. When you've successfully removed the flat wheel, take the outer tire off. To do this, it can be helpful to use a sturdy, non-metal prying tool. Bike shops sell small, specially-designed tools called tire levers for this purpose.

How long does it take for a bike to dry?

It may take about 24 hours to for the glue to dry completely, but it may be dry enough to use the bike in about 5 minutes. ...

How to loosen a quick release brake?

If you have a quick release (which looks like a small lever), flip it over and spin it counterclockwise to loosen. If, on the other hand, you see a nut, you will need a wrench to loosen it. After this, disconnect the brakes, move the brake pads out of the way, and remove the wheel .

How to remove inner tube on kids bike?

If you’re working on a kids bike or MTB with car type Schraeder valves then depress the pin in the centre of the valve to let the air out. 2. Unhook the tyre . To remove the inner tube you will need to unhook the tyre from the rim.

How to repair a leaking inner tube?

Repairing the inner tube. 1. Inspect the tube. First you need to find the hole (or holes). Pump the inner tube up and listen or feel for the escaping air. If that doesn’t work, submerge the tube in water (a wash basin at home or a puddle if you’re out on the road).

How to refit a tyre?

Refitting the inner tube. Add a little air into the tube so it holds its shape a little, Insert the inner tube valve through the valve hole in the rim and tuck the tube into the tyre. You can then refit the tyre and inflate to your prefered pressure.

How to inflate a bike tyre?

Add a little air into the tube so it holds its shape a little, Insert the inner tube valve through the valve hole in the rim and tuck the tube into the tyre. You can then refit the tyre and inflate to your prefered pressure. Again if you are unsure on this process, we have a guide to help you fit a bike tyre.

How to remove a Presta valve?

On Presta valves (the pointy ones) loosen the small barrel at the top of the valve slightly so you can press it down into the body of the valve to release the air. Now loosen and remove the valve collar that tightens it into the rim.

What to do when you remove the inner tube of a tyre?

With the inner tube removed it’s a good time to check the tyre for any damage or splits in the tread. Be very careful to check for thorns, nails etc. that are sticking through into the inside otherwise they’ll puncture the fresh inner tube as soon as you put it in.

How long to leave glue patch on hole?

Leave it five minutes and once it’s fixed carefully peel off the backing film. If the edges of the patch lift up then you can use a bit more glue/vulcanising solution smeared over the edges to stick them down.

How to feed a new tube to a tire?

Feed the new tube between the outer tire and wheel rim. Start at the valve stem and feed it through the hole in the rim. If the valve stem has a lock ring, tighten it by hand to secure the stem in place. Then, methodically push the new tube into the gap all the away around the wheel.

How to unlatch a bike brake?

In many cases, you’ll simply have to unlatch a quick release located on either the brake calipers or the brake lever on the handlebars. Or, you may need to squeeze the brake calipers together in order to detach the brake cable from them.

How to get tire out of rim?

Pry out a section of the outer tire with two simple levers. If possible, avoid metal tools and use a plastic tire lever instead. Feed one lever between the outer tire and wheel rim, and pop out a section of tire — instead of sitting in a channel on the inside of the rim, it should now be off the rim in this spot. Leave this tire lever in place.

How to remove bike wheel?

Loosen the nuts that attach the wheel axle to the bike. You don’t need to remove the nuts completely, just loosen them enough that the wheel can (a few steps from now) be pulled free. If the nuts don’t want to budge when you use a wrench on them, apply a lubricant like silicone spray or even cooking spray. If you have a modern bike with quick-release wheel latches, taking the wheel off will be even easier — just open the latch and loosen the nut by turning it a few times so it can clear the frame. Don’t remove the wheel yet.

How to deflate a tire with a presta valve?

For a Presta valve, unscrew the top part of the stem to release the air. With a Dunlop valve, loosen the cap a few turns and then pull on the valve tip.

How to get a valve stem out of a tire?

Pull the tube out from between the outer tire and wheel rim. Reach into the opening you’ve created with the levers and grab onto the rubber tube inside. Work your way around the wheel and pull it out completely. When you get to the valve stem, push it down through the rim and pull it free with the tube.

What do you use to make a lever on a car?

A pair of spoon handles or flathead screwdrivers will work as levers, but you have to insert and pry with them carefully so you don’t scratch up or bend your wheel frame.

How to replace a tire tube on a bike?

If one of your wheels needs its tube replaced, remove the entire wheel from your bike , deflate the tire, and pull out the tube. You will need a tire lever, which is a small, mostly flat, plastic tool with a curved end. The tire lever will allow you to hook the bead, which is a thin wire cable embedded in the bottom of the tire that helps to seal the tire to the wheel.

How to fix a broken bike chain?

Fixing a broken bike chain requires a chain tool—a compact, universal multi-tool. Once you have your chain tool on hand , flip your bike upside down so that its wheels face up and it is resting on the seat and handlebars. Examine your chain and determine which end needs to be removed.

How to inflate a bike tire?

Starting at a point next to the valve, push the tire bead inside the rim, and proceed along the entire wheel. The tire bead is the edge of a tire that sits on the wheel. Once the wheel and tube are on the wheel, inflate your tire slowly. As you inflate, make sure that the tire bead remains in place and that the valve stays straight. It is helpful to first inflate to 10-15 PSI, then go around the tire rocking it slightly back and forth. This will help the bead seat in its proper location. Finally, reinstall the bike wheel.

How to inflate a tire that is round?

Once you are sure the tire is safe, take your new tube and inflate it until it is round in shape and confirm it holds air. Line up the valve of the tire and valve stem of your tube, then place the tube inside of the tire.

How to pull a tire off a rim?

Pull the tire to one side at the point completely opposite the valve, and try to hook the bead from underneath. Once hooked, you can slide the lever radially around the tire to pull it over the rim. Once one entire side is off, pull the other side off in the same direction. For large tires, this will be pretty easy, and it might be a bit difficult for smaller ones. You can pull the tube out from just one side at this stage to give yourself some more room to work with.

How to get a slipped chain back on a bike?

Pick up the slipped chain and position it to the top of the correct gear while pedaling. Once the chain teeth are locked in place, slowly release the derailleur and push the pedal forward to move the back wheel. Continue pedaling until the rest of the chains are fit back into their original positions. Before you get back on your bike, shift to the lowest gear and continue pedaling. This movement should realign your chain and lock it back into place. Changing gears without pedaling can cause the chain to bind up, and should be avoided.

How to replace a spoke on a broken wheel?

Begin by removing the wheel and tire. Move the rim tape to one side. From there, unscrew one side of your broken spoke from the rim. Remove the other end of the spoke by sliding it through the hub eyelet.

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