How to Patch a Bike Tire

Picture this:

The weather’s perfect, the road looks clear and you’re set to take that bike ride you want. Nothing could go wrong on this day, or so you think.

As you’re cycling along the road, with the gentle breeze beating against you while enjoying the beautiful views, you feel a sudden drop in pressure on the bike. Something that has never happened before, so you start to worry.

You slow down, steer your bike off the road, do a quick routine check and find that one of the tires has deflated. At this point, you only have two options, to push the bicycle the many miles back home, or fix the damn thing yourself.

If to you, the latter sounds more convenient than the former, then this article is what you need. It takes you through the step-by-step formula on how to patch a bike tire in the easiest and convenient of ways.

But first, here are some of the most basic tools you need for the job.

• Bicycle tire patch kit
• Rag/Cloth
• Wrench

So let’s see how these tools fit in.

Remove the Wheel

Your first task is to flip the bike upside down, with the wheels facing up. In this position, it is much easier to detach the wheel from the bicycle.

Now there are two ways to remove the bike wheel depending on the type of bike you have. For the modern bikes, there’s a small lever-like structure at the centre of the spokes which you can tilt in an anti-clockwise motion, to free the tire.

The old school bicycles, on the other hand, require a much more sophisticated tool like a wrench which you’ll use to loosen up the nut at the centre. While doing this, make sure you correctly disconnect the brake pads and get them out of the way before removing the tire.

When the tire is free, check for sharp objects like thorns, or pieces of glass that might be stuck on the outside. If any, carefully remove it, and mark that spot with chalk for later reference, and then proceed to the next step.

Remove the Tire

Once the flat wheel is off, your next task is to remove the outer tire. For this, you need a sturdy prying object, a tire lever, or any tool that won’t damage the tire or the inner tube in the process.

Insert the blunt end of the tool between the rim and tire and carefully start to detach the two. Do it in a streamlined pattern and get the tire off the rim using your other hand. When the whole thing is off, proceed to remove the inner tube from the outer tire.

Locate the hole

Now this the heartbeat of the whole process and as such, you must be very meticulous when going about it. Any slight loss in concentration will take you back to square one. Therefore, here’s what you need to do;

Inflate the Tire

Pump air into the flat tube using the bicycle pump, make sure you insert a good amount of pressure because you’ll need the tire inflated for the tests that follow.

Listen to any air leaks

Although tire holes are small and undetectable, you can record patterns of hissing noises coming from the tire by listening carefully. Bring the tube closer to your ears and mark any spots where you feel air noises coming from.

And if that doesn’t amount to much, use the test below;

Plunge the Tube into a Water

While still inflated, dip sections of the tube into a bucket of water and clearly mark any areas where bubbles form. Make sure to follow a sequence that gets the whole tube into the water.

Patch the Hole

After you have the exact pain points, solving the problem becomes relatively easy. The process of patching the hole is systematic and it follows this pattern;

Score the tube surface

Every bicycle has a tire patch kit with a set of instructions inside on how to patch a bike tire in case of a flat. Some bikes have automatic patching rules while some follow the conventional route. And these are the set of guidelines you want to look at even before sanding the tube.

Nonetheless, if you choose to score the tube, use sandpaper to rub that adjacent area with regard to the size of the patch. Once the surface is rough, it is easier for the patch to stick.

Apply the Patch

Get glue from the kit, and apply it around the abrasive area where you intend to put a patch. Make sure there’s enough glue around that area, and give it time to dry then take the patch and place it on top of the score tube.

Press the patch against the tube with force and hold it in that position for a few at least five minutes.

Repeat this process for any other holes you may find on the tube.

Reinstating the Tube and Tire back on the Wheel

After one last thorough check for any sharp objects, you’re free to put the tire back together. Take the outer tire and insert certain sections of the tube back first. After that, carefully place the valve system back into the hole on the rim and use your thumbs to align the tire, back to the rim

Confirm whether the tube and tire align properly and they are correctly tucked into the rim.

Pump the Tire

Take your pressure pump and gradually increase the air on the tube. Note that every bike comes with a standard air pressure that you shouldn’t exceed.

Replace the Wheel on the Bike

When you’re certain that the tire pressure is enough and can hold your weight, put the wheel back in place. Use the wrench to tie up the nuts that hold the wheel, but before you do that, make sure the brake pads are back to their position too.

Take the bicycle on a test ride to see if the tire is completely fixed.

Replace old worn out tubes and tires

If your bike tire develops punctures every so often the chances are it needs to be replaced.

Replacing the worn-out tires and tubes save you the trouble of having to patch the tire frequently.

To Wrap Up

Fixing a bike picture is something you always have to be prepared for when you’re out cycling. Therefore, always have a pump, patching kit and other necessary tools in case it happens.