What could be a better way to love Mother Earth, get some exercise and save a few bucks than riding a bike? But what do you do when you are pumped to ride but realize your tires are flat? You don't have time to take your bike to the shop, and you don't have enough money to pay for the repair, so you need to know how to change your own tire. You'll get back on the road sooner, save a few bucks and impress your friends.
1. Remove the wheel completely from the frame of the bike.
2. Use a tire wrench to remove the tire from the wheel. The tube will also come off.
3. With the tire and tube off the wheel, separate the two and check the tube for holes. Do this by inflating it lightly and immersing it in water. It will be obvious where a hole is because bubbles will stream from the location on the tube.
4. Use a patch kit to repair the hole.
5. Place the deflated and newly patched tube in the new tire. Repairing a tire is possible but only for the advanced bike mechanic. Make sure to check the direction of the tire's rotation before attempting to replace the tire on the wheel. There should be an arrow on the side of the tire. Checking beforehand especially matters for the back wheel because of the gears. I forgot to check once and had to do all of the steps over again.
6. Re-attach the new tire with the tube inside to the wheel using your tire wrench. (This is the hardest part for me because it requires a great deal of strength.) Use your fingers to pinch the opening on the tire to prevent the tube from being pinched on the rim.
7. Check the recommended pressure on the side of your tire and pump it up. You're done—now go ride a bike.
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