Fixing Flats - Replace and Repair

It's not always convenient to fix a flat at the roadside so it makes perfect sense to carry a spare inner tube and take the damaged one home to repair at your leisure.

To encourage this kind of re-use, we've got a puncture repair kit to give away. Up for grabs is a dhb micro saddle bag, Topeak Micro Rocket pump and a Park Tool tyre and tube repair kit. We'll also throw in a Kool-Stop 'tire bean jack' that's designed to make the job of pulling a tight tyre bead over the wheel rim a breeze.

Win a puncture repair kit

To be in with a chance of wining the puncture repair kit, simply leave us a comment at the bottom of the page and we'll pick a winner next week.

https://youtu.be/dRqbDamDLT0

No excuses - fix that flat

Fixing a bicycle flat tyre can seem daunting if you've not repaired one before, but with the right tools and knowledge, it's a straightforward process. Here's a step-by-step guide:

1. Remove the wheel with the flat tyre from the bike. If it's the front tyre, loosen the nuts on the axle with a spanner and lift the wheel out of the forks. If it's the back tyre, you'll need to shift the chain onto the smallest cog, release the quick-release lever or loosen the nuts on the axle, and lift the wheel out of the frame.
2. Use a tyre lever (or if you don't have one the handle of a fork or spoon) to pry the tyre off of the rim. Insert the lever under the bead of the tyre and prise it upwards. Repeat this process all the way around the tyre until one side of the bead is free from the rim.
3. Remove the inner tube.
4. Locate the puncture in the tube. Inflate the inner tube and you may hear or feel the air escaping. If it's not immediately obvious where the hole is, fill a bucket or sink with water and inflate the tube. Look for bubbles escaping from the tube to locate the puncture. Mark the puncture with a pen or pencil.
5. Mend the puncture. Use a patch kit to cover the hole. Apply glue to the patch and the tube, wait for the glue to become tacky, then press the patch onto the tube and hold it in place for a few minutes.
6. Reinstall the tube and tyre. Inflate the tube slightly and insert it back into the tyre. Make sure the tube is positioned evenly. Starting at the valve stem, work the bead of the tire back onto the rim using your hands. Use the tyre lever if necessary, but be careful not to pinch the tube between the tyre and the rim.
7. Inflate the tyre. You can check the sidewall of the tyre for the recommended pressure range.
8. Reinstall the wheel. If it's the front wheel, place it back into the fork and tighten the nuts on the axle. If it's the rear wheel, place it back into the frame, shift the chain back onto the appropriate cog, and tighten the nuts on the axle or close the quick-release lever.
9. Check the tyre for any bulges or other signs of improper installation.

{{cta-cycling}}

The ethical choice

The ETA was established in 1990 as an ethical provider of green, reliable travel services. Over 30 years on, we continue to offer cycle insurance , breakdown cover and mobility scooter insurance while putting concern for the environment at the heart of all we do.

The Good Shopping Guide judges us to be the UK's most ethical provider.