How to Patch a Flat Tire on a Bicycle

Judith Guthoerl demonstrates how.
First she loosens the nuts holding the flat front wheel on.
You can actually fix a flat without removing the wheel, but it usually isn't easier that way.

Step 1: Disconnect the Brake Cable

The wheel hangs up on the brake pads.
The brake calipers are too close together to get the wheel out.
She pulls the end of the brake cable out of the opposing bracket thingy so the calipers can pop apart, letting the wheel out.
Every type of brakes has a different way of doing this.

Comments

[La Rotta]

 The last picture is extremely cute! awesome work Tim

[dim20]

its a guy?

[killerjackalope]

Such a good 'ible, I know many already know but having something like this to point to when the question comes up... Also spoons are great as irons, you can use the handle to pry and the spoon end makes a good patch squeezer, just put your thumb in the middle, grasp the handle and roll the spoon side to side... Also you used every item in the kit, save the french chalk, which is very useful, I was a tyrefitter, the chalk is your friend, you can mark your puncture, pop in the spare tube and fix later...

[sharlston]

also the chalk is useful for when you put  too much glue on the puncture just apply the patch then grind some of the chalk or you could use flour around and on the glue to stop it from sticking to the inside of the tyre

[sharlston]

that chain looks very slack on the last picture

[irritant#9]

This is a great instructable except I only seem to need a new tube because mine has dry rotted. Any ideas how to get around that?

[TheCheese9921]

Your going to have to buy a new tube, once they start to dry rot and crack they are irreparable :-[

[lou19]

Judith Guthoerl demonstrates how. First she loosens the nuts

[sergio-cuba]

hi , I just read the instructions, its really nice, just missing one little detail.. which I've experienced lots... since tubes and tires have different thickness and diameter in relation each others, some times can happen that even putting the little air in the tube this gets stocked within the tire and the rim and when you blow some air in, then kapumbbb... blow your ears off and scare you for a couple seconds... this is easily avoid if before putting air, you pinch the side of the tire you just mounted into the rim, and make sure non of the innertube is a sight, it should be all inside the tire, then blow it to the right air pressure... I made a practice of this when working in the bike shop and believe me it save lots of tubes to blow off, thanx for reading, this page its awesome!

[carpespasm]

very well done directions and funny to boot!

[rohtop]

Nice Instructable! but I would like to add something which i came across when i was patching the tire of my ATB. My tires have a certain profile that "is going in one direction"... On the sides of the tire there is an arrow which indicates the rotation direction. Be sure to look at that before you put the tire on the rim. I had to take of the tire again! :)

[benthekahn]

its also much easier to work on a bike if you flip it over so its resting on the seat and handlebars.

[stasterisk]

Don't bother with tire irons!

http://www.instructables.com/id/Instant-Bike-Tire-Repair---No-tools/