Hey everyone,

Okay… so maybe the title for this blog was a little bit misleading! But the info I have for you could be life saving if you find yourself stuck on the trail with a flat tire!

When it comes to getting a flat, nobody likes having to deal with it on the ride… in fact I know a few guys in the shop hmm hmm… who have even been so lazy as to call family members to pick them up so they didn’t have to change the flat on their ride. For the rest of us… the diehards… there are a few items you can pack, and a few pieces of advice you can follow to get you back up and running in no time!

As we discussed in my earlier blogs, you will want to pack: tire levers, a spare tube, a patch kit and a pump along with the rest of your gear.

The steps for this procedure are fairly simple:

1.) As discussed in prior posts, find an upright place to hang your bicycle by the seat in order to work on it. This will make the going easier.

2.) Release the brake mechanism (if applicable, a mechanic in the shop can advise you on how to do this for your bike) and remove the wheel (yeah, I guess the flat one would make sense…) from your bike.

3.) Take a pair of tire levers, and insert them between the tire and the rim on one side directly opposite the valve stem.

4.) Clip the first tire lever to the spoke as a starting point, then, using the second lever; pry the bead of the tire off the rim, and work the rest of the bead off of one side.

5.) Remove the tube from inside the tire (valve first) and inflate it slightly to determine the cause of the puncture to the tube. If the flat resulted from an internal puncture (ie a snakebite) there is little need to check the tire for foreign objects. However, if the flat has been cause by an external puncture, ensure that you check the area inside the tire that corresponds to where the tube was punctured. (Note: it never hurts to check the tire anyways, better safe than sorry!)

6.) Once the tire is clear, you next need to inflate the new tube slightly to give it shape (this will make installation easier.)

7.) Insert the new tube, starting at the valve stem, and slowing inserting the tube around the tire. (it is crucial at this step to ensure the tube is not twisted, as this will cause the tube to fail.)

8.) Once the tube is installed, you will then want to re-mount the bead of the tire to the rim. This is done using both hands, and putting the tire under the hook of the rim. Start at the valve, and seat the tire in this region first, then work your way around the tire using both hands in opposite directions (as to not lose your starting point.)

9. Once you have re-installed the tire onto the rim, slowly inflate the tube (checking that the tire is properly seating on the rim all the way around.) Inflate the tire to your preferred pressure, then once again check the bead of the tire to ensure it has seated evenly around the rim.  (If you are not happy with the way it looks, deflate, and re-inflate the tire checking the bead constantly and filling slowly.)

10.) Re-install the tire on the bike, and re-connect any brake mechanisms that were detached for removal.

11.) Pack your gear back up, hop on your bike… and head out!

Didn’t mean to mislead you guys with the title… but I’m sure you’re all glad you read this one!

Until next time,
Check your pressure regularly!

Bryan