If you’ve been wanting to learn how to fix a flat bike tire, this post with a useful video will make it easy! This great video shows you how to fix a flat bike tire, with very few tools.
Video Showing a Simple Process to Fix a Flat Bike Tire
What I like about this four-minute video is that it really simplifies the whole process of changing a bike tube. Really, almost anyone should be able to master this fairly simple technique. Just watch the video!
This video is from the YouTube channel Howcast, which has tons of great how-to videos – I just subscribed! As you can see, you can actually change a flat bike tire with no tools.
Related Post: How To Clean Your Bike Chain the Easy Way
Tools and Equipment You Will Need to Change a Flat Bike Tire
Of course, you do need to be carrying a spare tube. By the way, don’t feel bad if you cannot get the tire on or off with just your thumbs, and you need to use tire levers – almost everyone does. And they are very cheap.
Tire levers also weigh next to nothing, so there is no reason not to keep them handily tucked into your saddle bag (along with your spare tube!)
Releasing the Brakes to Remove Your Back Wheel
There was just one part of this video about how to fix a flat bike tire that I thought was a bit over-simplified. That was the part about how to release the brakes and remove your back wheel. This is actually the hardest part of the whole process. Also, there are many different rear wheel and brakes set-ups. If you felt like you needed a bit more information on this topic, the video below has a lot more details about how to release the brakes and remove the back wheel of various kinds of bikes.
This video is from the extremely useful YouTube channel of cjhoyle. He has tons of great bike maintenance videos, so I highly recommend you subscribe to it. I did!
Video Showing a Man with No Hands Fixing a Flat Bike Tire
Finally, if you still need some inspiration, watch this video of a man with NO HANDS fixing a flat bike tire. It’s from the YouTube Channel of Hector Picard. Picard is an internationally-known motivational speaker and triathlete who lost both arms in an electrical accident. My own father had just one hand, and impressed me all his life with how he did not let this slow him down. And Picard has no hands at all, and still changes a bike tire faster than I can. Wow! Just wow. If this video doesn’t convince you that you can change a flat bike tire, nothing will!
Tips for Fixing a Flat Tire or Other Problems on the Road
Tip 1: Carry a Credit Card
Carry money and/or a credit card whenever you ride your bike, in case you have a problem you cannot fix. There’s no shame in taking a cab once in a while!
Tip 2: Carry a Suitable Bike Pump
Every cyclist should have two great pumps. One mini-pump to carry on your bike, and one heavy duty floor pump for use at home (because the little ones are really hard work).
Recommended Mini-Pump
For the mini-pump I highly recommend the BV mini pump, which is light, high-quality, and has a single head that instantly adapts to both Schrader and Presta valves. The last mentioned is really important for me – I don’t want to be fiddling with adapters on the side of the road. Or worse still – finding out that the pump I have with me doesn’t fit the valve on the bike I am riding that day.
Recommended Floor Pump
For your floor pump (also called a track pump), you want something strong (steel or aluminum). It should have a firm base, a clear gauge that you can see clearly while standing up, and a comfortable, sturdy handle. Aain, I prefer one that easily adapts to both Schrader and Presta valves. The Topeak Joe Blow Sport 2 checks all the boxes, is made from all steel, and ships with Topeak’s TwinHead adapter that has Presta and Schrader valves opposite each other and sharing a locking lever.
Tip 3: Don’t Get a Flat Tire in the First Place!
You will be MUCH less likely to actually get a flat tire in the first place if you invest in the wonderful technology of puncture-resistant tires, such as the legendary Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires. I have these on both my bikes, and almost never get a flat. It’s well worth paying a few extra dollars on your tires, to avoid the hassle of flat tires.
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