| Tools and Supplies Needed: | | | | puncture in the inner tube. Remove these, so that they |
| Tire irons (at least two, maybe three), inner tube or | | | | do not cause another flat. |
| tube repair kit, baby powder (not necessary), air pump. | | | | - After using a patch kit to repair the inner tube or |
| Directions: | | | | replacing the tube altogether, pump up the inner tube |
| - Starting across the wheel from the inner tube valve, | | | | until it is filled just enough that there are no creases left |
| slide a tire iron under the lip of the tire and using a | | | | in the tube. |
| levering action, lift the tire lip up and over the rim, | | | | - If this isn't a trailside flat, take some baby powder and |
| attaching the other end of the iron to a spoke that | | | | spread it both on the inside of the tire and on all |
| starts from the same side of the hub. | | | | surfaces of the tube. This isn't necessary, but the |
| - Repeat this procedure with a second tire iron one | | | | force with which the inner tube presses against the tire |
| spoke down on the same side of the rim. | | | | can cause it to stick like superglue. The baby powder |
| - Using your index finger, try to unzipper the rest of the | | | | prevents this bonding and makes it much easier to |
| tire from the rim by pushing your fingernail into the gap | | | | remove the inner tube. |
| formed by the tire iron between the rim and the tire. If | | | | - Put the tube into the tire, worming the inner tube |
| the tire is really tight, it may be necessary to use a | | | | valve into the hole in the rim. Take care to see that the |
| third tire iron to loosen the tire up enough to let you slip | | | | inner tube doesn't bunch up. |
| your finger under. | | | | - Starting directly across from the inner tube valve, |
| - Place a mark on the tire corresponding to where the | | | | work the tire back onto the rim working in both |
| inner tube valve is located. | | | | directions toward the inner tube valve. Again, be wary |
| - Remove the inner tube by slipping it out of the tire. | | | | of pinching the inner tube between the tire and the rim; |
| - Using your pump, pump up the inner tube with enough | | | | this can also cause a flat upon inflation. The last two or |
| pressure to find the hole in the inner tube. | | | | three inches can be very difficult to get on the rim, use |
| - Find the section of tire that corresponds to the hole in | | | | the palm of your hand and a twisting motion to push |
| the inner tube by aligning the valve with the mark on | | | | the rest of the tire up and over the rim. Avoid using tire |
| the tire. Feeling with your fingers on the inside of the | | | | irons or other flat tools to put your tire back on. They |
| tire, look for any penetrating objects that may still be | | | | can puncture your inner tube very easily during the |
| lodged in your tire, especially around the vicinity of the | | | | process. |