How to Fix a Flat Bicycle Tire

Flat tires are no fun, but they shouldn’t ruin a cycling trip. You can fix a flat tire by following these steps:

1. Inspect the valve to see if it might be the culprit to your tire losing air. Depending on the type of valve, you can tighten or replace it.

2. Deflate the tire completely, release the brakes if possible and remove the wheel from the bike. Slip a tire tool between the rim and the tire and slide it around the rim until the tire is loose enough to remove. Pull out the inner tube.

3. Inspect the inside of the tire — a sharp object that caused the flat might still be there. You can inflate the tube so you can feel or hear any air escaping. You can also dunk it underwater to look for bubbles.

4. At this point, you can replace the tube by tucking a new inner tube inside the tire and working the tire back onto the rim. Then inflate the tube and install the wheel back on the bike.

You can also fix your tube by adding a patch. Follow the instructions for the patch. Some simply stick on, while others require rubber cement.