Ways To Change And Fit A Bike Tyre
If you don’t know how to change your bike’s tyre, replacing it may seem like a difficult job. However, it’s easy once you master a few techniques and take your time.
The performance of new tyres won’t improve your bike until they’re put on, so our professionals can guide you through the simplest technique of removing an old tyre of any size off the wheel, and then putting on a fresh one.
Even if you’re not a hardcore cyclist, it’s still essential to know how to change a bike tyre. Experienced riders know this is something that can happen often, so it’s best to be prepared.
If your bicycle has a flat tyre, you could possibly fix it yourself. If the damage is too excessive, or if the tyre is greatly worn out, it might be essential to get a new tyre.
Generally, bicycle owners are unable to patch major tears, rips, or punctures using a tyre patch kit. Indications of any serious wear and tear on a bike tyre, or any noticeable cracks, should be an indication that it is time to buy a new one.
Most cyclists know how to repair a bike tyre for small holes and spares that need to be replaced after bigger holes. If you need assistance remembering how to change a bicycle tyre, or if you’re new to cycling or bike maintenance, then take a look at the steps provided here.
Tools needed
It may not seem like much, but two excellent tyre levers will make a large impact. Affordable tools can easily break or become misshapen when trying to take off and attach tough tyres, while expensive models could damage the rim of your wheels.
Verify that your air pump is equipped with the right valve head; a lot of airing pumps can be used for both Presta and Schrader valves, which can be achieved simply by turning a piece located within the valve head. Using a track pump will make the task quicker, but a hand pump can also suffice.
Before you begin
To reach the bike tyre, turn the bike over either onto its side or with the handlebars facing up. Nevertheless, some cyclists refrain from turning their bike upside down, fearing that it could harm the handlebars or saddle.
Pick the role that you are most comfortable with. You could also consider purchasing a vertical bike stand to keep your cycle off the ground while you work on it. When you set the cycle on its side, ensure that the chain is facing upwards.
It is essential to turn the gears to the lowest setting before changing the rear tyre to make the tire more accessible to take off. The outermost cog of the bicycle is the littlest one.
1. Remove the quick-release lever or wheel nut
If the bicycle has a quick-release mechanism, it should be located in the middle of the bike’s wheel. Detach the lever by hauling it up and rotating it 180 degrees. Then set it aside for reinstallation.
This will give you access to the wheel so you can replace the tyre that is damaged. However, many bikes don’t come with a quick-release lever. If this situation is true, a spanner will be required to unfasten the nut found in the middle of the wheel.
Generally, a 15mm spanner is the appropriate size for taking the wheel nut off. Remember that you can consult your bicycle manual or visit the maker’s website to learn how to take off the tyres particular to your bike.
If the nut is stuck, it can be freed with a product such as WD-40 or a comparable lubricant to help unfasten the threads and take off the nut.
2. Disconnect the brake cables and take off the tyre
Trying to take the wheel off without unhooking the brake cables first has the risk of causing harm to the cables.
In most cases, the brake cables on bicycles have to be squeezed on the callipers for them to detach when the quick-release lever is taken out. However, there are some bikes in which the brake wires will automatically come apart.
Remember to take the chain off the sprockets before you switch out the back wheel on the bicycle. Once the chain and brake cables have been severed, as well as the wheel nut or lever has been removed, you can take away the tyre from the forked slot where it rests on a bicycle.
3. Deflate the tyre
Take the wheel off the bicycle and if the tyre isn’t completely flat, let the air out of the internal tube.
For Presta-style valves (the ones that are pointed), loosen the small cylinder on the top of the valve ever so slightly so that it can be pushed into the main body of the valve, allowing the air to escape. Unfasten and take out the valve collar that holds it in place on the rim.
You can deflate the air from the tyre with a Schrader valve by pushing the tiny pin in the middle of the valve.
4. Unseat the tyre
Once the tyre is completely deflated, go all the way around the tyre, pushing inward so the bottom part of the tyre falls into the middle of the rim. Perform this on both ends to create some leeway to work with.
5. Remove the tyre by hand
If the tyre is not securely fitted, you can grab the wheel by the tyre and shake it, so that all the slack is in one place. Turn the tyre so that the valve is facing up and begin pushing the edge of the wheel in both ways.
The concept is to stretch the ever-growing amount of tyre slack around both sides so that you obtain the most slack available when your hands reach the rim’s base.
Ensure that you have enough slack, and rotate the wheel so that the slack portion is at the top.
Perhaps you will be blessed with ample leeway which should allow you to easily employ your thumbs to remove the side of the tyre away from the edge of the rim. No possibility exists that you could slip the innertube in between the edge of the rim and the tyre lever, thus causing it to puncture.
6. Using tyre levers to remove the tyre
You will have to utilize tyre levers if the tyre is secure. Slide the first lever’s tip under the edge of the tyre, making sure the spoon end is firmly tucked behind the tyre’s edge.
Press the lever to lift the tyre up and over the edge of the rim. Sometimes you can push the single lever along the inside of the tyre, detaching it from the rim as you move it.
Other times you might need to use two levers. Secure the initial lever by hooking it onto one of the spokes on the wheel. Now put the second lever beneath the edge of the tyre roughly two inches from where you put the first one and then use it to pry the tyre in the same way as the first lever.
If the tyre is extremely difficult to remove, it might be impossible to lever the second spoke with the first one already hooked on. In this situation, put the edge of the tyre back over the rim and then use both levers at the same time to force the tire back over the rim.
This clearly necessitates a lot more manoeuvring with one’s feet while pressing both levers simultaneously. Be careful as you lean on the levers, as they may unexpectedly snap off, so keep away from any treasured belongings.
7. Inspect the tyre
If you plan to utilize the tyre again, it is the perfect opportunity to examine it for any harm, such as tears in the tread or thorns penetrating into the interior. Watch out because you don’t want to stab yourself unintentionally.
8. Fully inflate the inner tube and reinstall the wheel
Inflate the inner tube completely by using either a bike pump or an air compressor that can be found at home.
If the pressure per square inch (PSI) is not indicated on the tyre, you can consult the bike manual or visit the maker’s website to discover the correct air pressure. Make sure to replace the lid of the air valve to ward off unintentional tyre deflation when in use.
Place the wheel back on the bike and make sure it is fastened with either the quick-release lever or the wheel nut. Secure the brake wires again and pull the chain up onto the cogs if you switched out the back tyre.
Turn the wheel around to see that it moves smoothly, then stand the bike up and take it for a short trip to make sure the repair was successful.
Be certain to get rid of any previously used items and take any discarded tires to nearby recycling centres. Some bicycle and automobile shops have initiatives in place in which they accept old bike tubes and tyres.
Fitting a tyre
1. Check your inner tube size
Begin by verifying that you have the correct inner tube measurement for your tyre. The range of the tyre diameters will be displayed on the side of the tube.
The tube can be enlarged to fit a tyre that is larger than the suggested size, however, it will be stretched to a point of unsafe tension. Using a tube that is too big will make it difficult to install in the tyre, making it hard to get it in properly and resulting in a sluggish ride.
Ensure that the valve is sufficiently lengthy to protrude an adequate amount through the edge as well. When you use a 60mm valve in a 50mm deep wheel, you may only have 10mm left sticking out. That duration is way too brief to ensure an effective seal if it’s attached to a press-fit pump.
2. Fit the tyre
Mount one side of the tyre onto the rim. We match either the tyre brand or the name with the valve opening.
That makes it simpler to locate the valve quickly if you need to pump up the tyre. This also provides a way to compare the inner tube with the tyre to identify any punctures.
3. Fit the tube
Give the inner tube a small amount of air so that it forms slightly instead of lying completely flat. It reduces the possibility of becoming wedged between the tyre and the rim. Push the inner tube valve through the rim.
Do not forget to take off the threaded collar first, yet do not secure it back in place yet. Force the inner tube as far as it can go into the wheel so that it does not protrude out of the edge. If there’s excessive air, release some.
4. Fit the second side of the tyre
Begin the process of reattaching the other side of the tyre. Begin by being mindful not to wedge the inner tube beneath the tyre or against the wheel rim with your thumbs.
Attempt to press the tyre onto the edge of the rim as you install it to make it loose in the same manner as when taking it off. That should facilitate finishing up the last part considerably.
Go as far as you can using just your thumbs to remove the inner tube, as this will make sure that it does not become pinched between the tyre lever and the rim. Certain tyres can be installed without any additional help, but for certain tyres and wheel combinations, it can be rather challenging to attach them.
5. Fitting a tyre with tyre levers
Use each lever in order, progressing towards the middle of the part that has not yet been mounted, to place the tyre onto the rim.
Make sure the inner tube never gets stuck when putting the levers back in place; the more secure it gets, the higher the chance of it getting stuck. Go about it slowly as that way, it is more probable to go smoothly and there will be less crying if you replace the tyre bit by bit.
6. Carefully inflate the tyre
Inspect the entire circumference of the wheel on both sides to ensure that there are no gaps and that the inner tube is not stuck anywhere and the tyre is securely in place. Unless you take precautionary steps, the consequences of your action will be drastic and you will have to begin the process all over again.
If everything is in order, attach the pump and carefully pump up the tyre, making sure no bumps or lopsidedness could indicate a tube is stuck.
Inflating the tyre might create a loud bang or snap when it locks into place on the rim. This may be particularly concerning on carbon wheels, but it is just a normal part of the process.
Conclusion
A regular maintenance routine and correct storage techniques can help keep a bicycle in excellent shape for years to come. It is important to fix any tyre damage as quickly as possible to prevent the wheel on a bicycle from being distorted.
Be sure to keep track of the small components such as nuts, lock pieces, or valve lids while fixing or changing out the item.
Though they are tiny in size, the purpose of these small pieces is essential to the operation of the bicycle. If one of them is lost while doing repairs, it can cause an additional issue that must be solved before the bike can be utilized once more.
