How to Patch a Bike Tire
Patching a bike’s tire inner tube is much easier and faster than it sounds.
Up next in Bike Repair & Equipment (32 videos)
Every avid cyclist should know how to fix his bike; learn the basics in this video series.
You Will Need
- An inner tube with a puncture
- A bicycle patch kit, consisting of patches, glue, and a square of sandpaper
- A bike tire pump
- A big bowl filled with water (optional)
- Towel (optional)
Steps
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Step 1
Remove the flat tube from the tire
Remove the flat inner tube from the tire.
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Step 2
Attach tube to a pump
Attach the inner tube to a bike pump.
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Step 3
Pump up the tube
Pump up the tire until it’s full of air.
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Step 4
Listen for the escaping air
Listen for the hiss of air escaping from the tube. Bring it close to your ear to help.
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Using a bowl of water, run the air-filled tube through the water. Look for a stream of bubbles emanating from the tube. That’s where your hole is.
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Step 5
Let air out of tube
Cover the hole with a finger, detach the pump, and let all the air out of the tube by pressing down on the valve stem.
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Step 6
Lightly sand the area around the leak
With your sandpaper, lightly sand an area around the leak larger than your patch.
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Step 7
Wipe the leak area clean
Wipe clean with your hand or optional towel.
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Step 8
Cover the sanded area with glue
Cover the sanded area with glue.
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Step 9
Let the glue dry
Let glue dry for 5 minutes.
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Step 10
Put the patch over the leak
Separate the patch from its backing and place directly onto the tube, pressing it firmly into the glue.
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A good rule of thumb is to replace a tube after you’ve patched it three times.
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Step 11
Remove the cellophane cover
Remove any cellophane cover over the patch and you’re ready to go.
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Bike patches are typically more durable than the tube itself.
