Punctures go hand in hand with the cycling experience. No matter your experience level or where you are riding, you are going to experience a puncture at some point. For a seasoned pro, a puncture is a minor inconvenience, albeit highly annoying. For a novice though, those first couple of punctures can strike terror into their hearts!
We’d like to free you from that fear. Read on to find out how you can quickly fix a bike puncture and get back on your way. Here’s all you need to know, step by step:
Remove wheel from the frame
With a quick-release wheel, this is beyond easy and even the most inexperienced will be able to master this with a couple of tries. If you have calliper brakes, you’ll need to pull the lever to open the quick release. V brakes will see you need to disconnect the brake wire. With disc brakes, it’s as simple as opening the quick release skewer
Remove the valve cap
This is the little piece of black plastic attached to the valve. Simply unscrew this and you’ll be able to take it off. When it has been removed, be sure to remove any air that is left in the tyre.
Loosen the tyre with levers
Carefully insert two tyre levers between the tyre and the rim of the wheel. Use the levers one at a time to pull the tyre away from the rim. The tyre will become so loose that running a lever around it will be enough to fully remove it.
Remove the tyre
You can now pull out the inner tube and then completely remove the tyre from the wheel. When you have done this, you then have a choice to make. Do you repair your inner tube or fully replace it? It may be best to initially replace and then repair the damaged tube and a more convenient time.
Check your tyre
There is little point in repairing or replacing your inner tube only to immediately puncture it again. Make a visual check of the tyre to see if there is any obvious cause of the puncture left behind. After a visual check, run your finger along the inside of the tyre and ensure that there is no debris remaining.
Insert some air
You don’t want to fully inflate the inner tube just yet, but it is useful to put a little air in at this point. You should inflate the tube until it appears rounded. This makes it easier to put back in the tyre as it won’t pinch against the wall.
Refit the tyre
Initially, this should be on one side of the wheel. You can then feed the inner tube into the tyre and ensure that it is aligned with the valve. You can then refit the tyre completely
Inflate
With everything back in place, it is time to fully inflate your tyre to the recommended pressure. With this done, you’re all set and ready to carry on with your journey.
Fixing a bike puncture – Conclusion
Knowing how to effectively and quickly repair a bike puncture will make your rides faster, and more enjoyable without the worry of being stuck if something does go wrong. Remember it’s not always best to try and repair your inner tube on the roadside, instead, carry a spare and repair the damaged inner tube at a more convenient time. You should always be aware of the early warning signs that you should change your road bike tyres.
