How To Change An Inner Tube Quickly - Easy 8-Step Guide | Maintenance Monday, by GCN Tech on YouTube. 5 min 43 s.
- Video length
- 5 min 43 s
- Time to do it
- 15 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Let the air out of the tyre completely, then loosen the wheel nuts or open the quick release and take the wheel off the bike.
Push the tyre bead away from the rim all round, then hook a tyre lever under the bead and clip it to a spoke.
Slide a second lever around the rim to free one side of the tyre, then pull the old inner tube out through the gap.
Run your fingers around the inside of the tyre and check the tread for thorns, glass or sharp edges that caused the puncture.
Put a little air in the new tube so it holds its shape, then push the valve through the rim hole.
Tuck the tube inside the tyre all the way round, then work the first bead of the tyre back onto the rim with your hands.
Push the last section of bead over the rim, using a lever only for the final bit, and check the tube is not pinched anywhere.
Check the rim tape covers every spoke hole and sits flat, then refit the wheel and inflate to the pressure printed on the tyre sidewall.
Tips and common mistakes
Pump the tyre up in small stages and check the bead line sits evenly on both sides before going to full pressure.
If the tube keeps puncturing in the same spot, the cause is still in the tyre or rim, so check again.
Carry a spare tube, two levers and a pump on every ride so a puncture does not end your day.
Questions
Do I need to take the wheel off the bike?
It is much easier. Removing the wheel gives you room to work the levers and refit the bead without fighting the frame.
How do I know which inner tube size to buy?
Match the size printed on your tyre sidewall, such as 700x25c, and the valve type and length your rim needs.
Can I reuse the old inner tube?
You can patch it at home and keep it as a spare, but fit a new tube for the ride so you are not stranded.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
