How To Mend a Puncture in a Bike Tire

Step 1

Locate the cause and size of the puncture. If the tire is blown out, or has a large hole, it will have to be replaced. If you rode it through a patch of thorns, it may have dozens of holes, but if it is a single small puncture, for instance a nail, often it can be fixed on the bike.

Step 2

Turn the bike over so it is standing on the seat and handlebars. Make sure it is not on the brake levers or the gear shifter. A block of wood may be needed to support it off of these items.

Step 3

Spin the tire slowly. Look for anything sticking out of the tire, such as a nail, a piece of wire, a screw, or any other object.

Step 4

Let the remaining air out of the tube. You may want to invest in a tire valve tool, but a matchstick, or ink pen can be used to depress the shrader valve stem to do this. The valve stem is the small round piece of metal underneath the plastic cap where air is put into the tire.

Step 5

Pry the tire off the rim. Use tire levers to remove the tire from the rim. Insert one between the rim and the tire, push down on the lever to lift the tire from the rim, insert the second tire lever, and run it around the rim to remove the tire. If you don't have tire levers you may use a screwdriver as follows: Push a dull flat blade (common) screwdriver between the tire bead and the rim, and pry the edge of the tire off the rim. You will need to pry the tire loose around the rim, about an inch or two (2.5 cm - 5 cm) apart, until the tire becomes loose enough to pull free on one side.

Step 6

Lift the tube out of the tire. Be careful not to rip the valve stem off. The tube should be hanging between the rim and the frame, so if it is a back wheel, don't let it become entangled with the gears or chain.

Step 7

Pump enough air into the tube to inflate it sufficiently to find the leak. A bike tube will double or triple its original diameter, and the more air, the more the leaking hole will expand, making it easier to find it.

Step 8

Look around the tube for a small hole. Feel and listen for air escaping. An even easier way is to hold part of the tube under water, for example in a bucket, to see bubbles escaping from the hole.

Step 9

Mark the location of the hole when you find it. Remove the air from the tube once more.

Step 10

Buff the area where you will install your patch. Most patch kits come with a small metal rasp to do this.

Step 11

Spread a thin layer of glue around the puncture site. Allow it to dry until the liquid gloss disappears.

Step 12

Peel the plastic backing from the patch. Be careful not to touch the sticky adhesive surface, and place the sticky side on the tube, pressing it firmly into place. You will need to use one hand to hold the back of the tube to press hard enough to get the patch to seal.

Step 13

Slide the tube back into the tire. Be sure that the valve stem is aligned with the hole in the rim it sticks out of.

Step 14

Pry the tire back onto the rim with your screwdriver. Take care not to push the point in enough to pinch the tube.

Step 15

Reinflate the tire. Put away the tools and finish your ride.

Step 16

follow these steps----

Familiarize yourself with the components of your bicyle. Removing the wheel may be difficult with different types of gears, chains, brakes, and other components. This can make it a difficult project. There are some pictorial representations in the external links.
The contents of a bicycle emergency repair kit vary depending on how and where you ride. The following are the basic necessities. The items in this kit should fit easily in a small bum bag or saddle bag, and weigh less than five pounds. The emergency kit should include:
- Tire Levers or a screwdriver
- Spare tire tube, in case the one with the hole is beyond repair
- Frame mounted bicyle pump
- Patch kit with patches, metal buffing tool, and glue
- Bike repair multi tool or at minimum the proper size wrench for removing the tire.
- Bike tire pressure gauge (reads higher pressures than a car tire guage)
There are amazing products on the market to reseal and inflate tires without dismounting the tire or wheel. Note, however, that when using it, you must still have a pump to reinflate the tire. "Fix-a-flat" is an aerosol can with latex rubber and a compressed propellant that instantly inflates tires, but it is a high pressure and sometimes combustible mixture, so it is more suitable for much larger tires.

Warnings

Never attempt repairs in dense areas of traffic or in other dangerous situations, including on a bike path. Push your disabled bike to safety before attempting any repair work. You will be too engrossed in repairing to notice oncoming cars, bicyclists and roller-bladers.
A screwdriver is a good tool if there is no other option, but it may puncture the tube, scratch your rim (creating burrs which can puncture the tube again), and cause damage in general. If you have them, use a couple of tire levers. Tire levers may still damage a tube, but are much less likely to do so.
Over inflation or under inflation of a tire can create a hazardous condition and may make your tire more prone to a new puncture. Always follow the manufacturer's recommendations when inflating a bicycle tire. This should be located on the side of the tire, above the rim.