How to change a bike tire tube

It can be painful to get a flat tire, but with a few simple tools and a few tips I will show you how to change a bike tire tube. With a little practice this skill becomes easy. You’ll be back on your bike in no time!

Just so you’ve been warned. Your biking friends will probably rely on you to fix their flat tires once you get good at this.

If you are having trouble removing your bike tires, you should check out this blog.

How to change a bike tire tube preparation

So you’ve got a flat. But what part of the tire is flat? It’s the inner inflatable tube which sits between the rim and the rubber tread. With these tips you can change your bike tire tube.

These bicycle flat changing tips can be used on a regular bike or electric bicycle.

First you need to know the size of your bike tire tube. You can find the size on the rubber tread part of the tire. The example in the photo is 26”x”4”. This means that the tire is 26” in diameter and 4” in width.

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(The size is also written on the inner tube which we will remove in later steps) I was able to find a new tube on amazon by searching 26×4 bike tire tube.

Know your bike tire tube size — On the rubber tire tread is typically where the bike tube tire size is written.

Once you’ve received your tube, you’re ready to fix your flat! I found it easiest to do this without holding the tire in your arms. Instead, find a flat surface like a workbench or table to complete the change of the bike tire tube.

If you’re using your fancy dining table, make sure to use a towel under your tire to prevent any table surface damage!

Removing and change a big tire tube — Use a flat surface to change bike tire tube

The tire tube is much easier to remove with once it is fully deflated. Remove the valve caps, keep them in a safe place until they’re ready to go back on the tire. Tires have different types of valves that allow air flow in and out.

When doing maintenance, this is the bike stand I use to lift and support the bike.

Locate the valve on your tire and let all of the air out. A schrader valve can be deflated by applying pressure to the center valve . To deflate a Presta valve, rotate and press on top of the valve to release air. Once your tire tube is fully deflated, it’s ready to be removed.

Fully deflate tire to change bike tire tube — Using a hex key to fully deflate the tube so that it can be removed from the tire.

Remove your bike tire tube

You’re now ready to take out the old tube. First you’ll need to loosen the rubber tread. You may want rubber gloves for this dirty part of the job. You’ll want to use both hands to release the rubber tire tread from the rim.

Squeeze the tread and rotate the tire to separate the rubber tread from the rim. The rubber tire tread will make a clicking sound as it is released from the rim”

Squeeze the rubber tire tread to loosen and change bike tire tube — To first remove the rubber tread you must loosen by squeezing the tread around the whole tire.

Once the rubber tread is unstuck, it’s ready to be lifted to the outside of the rim. I recommend using tire levers for this part of the job. It can be a tight fit to lift the outer edge of rubber tread up and over rim sidewall.

Tire lever tools can help you increase lifting leverage when dealing with stubborn rubber treads. Place another tire lever about six inches from the first.

Don’t use a sharp object as a tire lever as you might accidentally damage the tire. Here are the tire levers that I used for this job.

Use tire levers to help change bike tire tube — Use tire levers to increase leverage while removing the rubber tread from rim.

Use the hook of the third tire lever to slide between the rim and the tread. Rotate the tire as the third lever is used to remove the entire edge of the rubber so that it sits on the outside of the rim wall. Once you’ve done this, you’re ready to flip the tire over and use the tire levers on this side.

Check out this video on how to change a bike tire tube. Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Depending on the type of bike tire you are fixing, you may need to experiment with the placement of the first two tire levers. After the rubber tread is fully loosened on both sides of the rim, you’re ready to pull out the old tube.

Remove the old tube by pushing the valve of the tube through the hole in the rim. Use your fingers to pull out the tube between the rim and the rubber tread. Rotate the wheel as you slowly remove the tube from the entire wheel.

This might take a little convincing in certain spots. If you get stuck, make sure the rubber tread is loose in that spot. Once you’ve fully removed the tube you’re one step closer to getting back on your bike.

Remove the bike tire tube — Remove the tube at the valve, and slowing pull tube out between rubber and frame

Perform inspection

If your bike had a flat you’re going to want to inflate and inspect the old tube. Fill the tube with an air pump. You can sometimes detect the flat by listening and feeling the air flow. For smaller leaks you may want to mix soap and water and apply this to the tube. You will see small bubbles appear where air is escaping.

After you’ve found the leak, inspect the inside of the rubber tread. All debris needs to be removed to prevent future punctures. In the bike tire tube that I was repairing I found a sharp thorn stuck into the rubber tread. I used a pair of pliers to remove the thorn. What caused your flat tire?

Find hole in old bike tire tube — Inflate the tube using a bike pump to find the leak. Inspect the rubber tread once you’ve found leak.

How to change bike tire tube installation

You’ve received your new tube and are almost ready to ride! Unwrap your new bike tire tube and remove the caps from the valve. Be careful not to touch the tube to anything sharp. Inflate the tube with a small amount of air using a bike pump.

Here is the floor bike pump we use. It is capable of inflating tires with different types of valves.

Only fill with enough air until the tube takes shape. A shaped tube will prevent twisting and make it easier to work with.

A mini pump is important to carry with you in your flat repair kit.

Slightly inflate new tube to change bike tire tube — Put a small amount of air into the new tire tube. This will make it easier to work with.

Next you will line up the valve on the tube with the valve hole in the rim. Use your fingers to insert the bike tire tube. Use a gentler touch when installing the tube as damage to the rubber can easily occur. Guide the rubber tube between the rim and rubber tread. You might find it helpful to rotate the tire for this task. **If you’re having trouble inserting the tube you might have too much air. Simply press the valve to release air.

If your tire tread is worn or has excessive damage from the flat, you should invest in new rubber treads. If your tread is in good condition you should begin fitting the rubber tread into the rim. Use your fingers for this job.

Work your way around the entire wheel. Once one is fully inserted, flip the tire over. You may need to use a tire lever if the rubber tread isn’t going back into the rim. If you do this, be careful not to damage the tube.

Work slightly inflated bike tire tube into position — Using both hands to change bike tire tube. Inserting tube between rim wall and rubber tread.

With the rubber tread fully inserted into the rim you are now ready to check the psi on the tire. The pounds per square inch will be labeled on the rubber tire wall. If the psi is not listed on the tire, you might need to search for your bike online.

Use an air pump to fill the tires. Fill at a lower pressure for rough terrain and higher pressure for smoother surface rides. Replace any valve caps once the tires are filled with air.

You will need a tire gauge to accurately measure the psi of both tires to ensure they are inflated to the same level.

Perform an inspection of the filled tire and make sure the rubber is evenly inserted into the rim and that there aren’t any bubbles or misshapes in the tire.

After you’ve gone through the preparation, removal, inspection, and installation your tire is ready to go back on the bike!