If you cycle frequently, chances are sooner or later you’ll get a flat tire. There are a lot of potential flat causers, from sharp objects on the road to manufacturing faults in your tire’s inner tube. Here are some tips that will help make repairs easier when your tire does develop a flat.
1. Check the outer tire for damage. If the outer tire has been cut or punctured, it’s still possible the inner tube is intact. Examine the location of the damage and mark it clearly.
2. Open the valve and deflate the tire.
3. Using your tire levels, peel back the outer tire and access the inner tube. If you know where the leak is, it is possible to work on that area of the tube alone. If not, you may have to remove the entire inner tube and examine it more closely.
4. If the puncture is not immediately visible, consider submerging your bike tire in water. Bubbles will appear at the puncture as air escapes.
5. Be gentle as you remove the inner tube. Wrenching it to quickly can cause stress, damage and further leaks.
6. Once you’ve located the leak and removed the inner tube, patch the puncture. Using sand paper, rub the area around the puncture until fresh rubber is exposed. This will allow the patch to bond with the tube.
7. Various types of patches attach in different ways. The most common are pre-glued patches with foil backings. These patches require a thin layer of glue to be applied to the tube before the foil is removed and the patch is placed firmly on the tube. Clear-film patches are also available that do not require a preparatory layer of glue.
8. Fit the tube back into the outer tire. It is best to be gentle and use your hands rather than a tire level when fitting the tire back into the rim in order to avoid damaging the tube.
9. Leave the patch to set for as long as possible before re-inflating the tire.
The process for fixing a puncture can vary according to what type of tire you have and the extent of the damage to the tube. Make sure you carefully examine the tire before attempting to repair it yourself.
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