How to Change a Bicycle Tire & Tube

Changing a bicycle tube is one of the most common bike maintenance tasks you'll ever perform. Being able to deal with flat tires on the road or on the trail is an essential skill of cycling, and will allow you greater independence as you progress to longer rides and remote locations. Always carry a flat kit with a tire lever, spare tube and pump (CO2 or hand-powered).

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Tire lever Replacement tube Replacement tire (optional) Pump
Tire lever
Replacement tube
Replacement tire (optional)
Pump

Step 1

Remove the problem wheel from your bike and deflate the tire, if necessary.

Step 2

Insert a tire lever between the flattened tire and wheel rim. Pull down on the lever to pry the tire away from the rim, and slide the lever around the wheel, removing the sidewall of the tire from the rim. If you have two levers, hook the first lever onto a wheel spoke and insert a second lever to slide along the rim.

Step 3

Slip the lever under the removed sidewall, the tube and through to the second sidewall. Pry up the tire and slide the lever down the wheel again, this time removing the whole tire and tube. If you're not replacing the tire, it's possible to just pull out the tube from the tire after you've removed a single sidewall, leaving the tire on the rim.

Step 4

Inflate the new tube just enough to hold its shape. Insert the valve through its hole in the wheel rim, and fit the tube over the wheel.

Step 5

Pull the new tire over the wheel and tube. You may need to use a lever to pry the final few inches of the tire over the rim. Push a small section of the tire's sidewall into the rim, and insert a lever between them. Pulling up this time, slide the lever down the wheel, pushing the sidewall into the rim.

Step 6

Flip the wheel around and repeat the lever process in Step 5, pushing the second sidewall into the wheel rim. Inspect the tire to make sure the tube isn't pinched against the rim.

Step 7

Inflate the tire to its recommended pressure.

Tips & Warnings

Two or more tire levers can make the removal process easier, but only one is necessary to replace the tire.

Avoid using a screwdriver in place of a tire lever. The blunt edges easily damage tubes, tires and rims.

Resources

How to Use Bicycle Tire Levers

Article Written By Greg Johnson

Greg Johnson earned his Bachelor of Arts in creative writing from The Ohio University. He has been a professional writer since 2008, specializing in outdoors content and instruction. Johnson's poetry has appeared in such publications as "Sphere" and "17 1/2 Magazine."

Editor's Pick

Backcountry Camping Tips

You've already tried car and RV camping. You've camped at commercial campsites that had a convenient restroom and water supply. Now, you want to explore the road less traveled. Backcountry camping, also known as primitive camping, is a wonderful way to explore the remote...
More Backcountry Camping...
Popular Article

Beach Camping Near Pismo Beach, California

Pismo State Beach, California, has many attractions and activities including camping, swimming, hiking and wildlife viewing. Birdwatching is one of the primary activities in the area. The park also has the largest over-wintering colony of monarch butterflies in the natio...
More Beach Camping...
Featured Video

Common Sense Hiking Tips

The first and most fundamental thing is never hike alone. There are too many situations, especially as an unexperienced hiker, where you may find yourself without anyone to help you. So the buddy system works and applies very much in hiking.
More Camping Basics...