Changing a Bike Tyre Involves Steps That Need To Be Followed

 Product October 27, 2023

How to Replace a Bike Tyre?  

Turn the bike on its side or stand it inverted, leaning on the handles, to reach the tyre. Some bikers, however, avoid turning the bicycle upturned since it may harm the handlebars or seat. Pick the position that feels the most relaxed. While lying the bike on its end, ensure the chain side is facing up.

If you’re changing the rear tyre, you should first shift the wheels to the tiniest ring to make the tyre removal quicker. The bike’s outermost gear is the tiniest ring.

STEP 1: Replace the fast lever or wheel nut.

If the bike has a quick-release lever, it will be situated in the middle of the bicycle wheel. Release and remove the lever by lifting up and twisting it 180 degrees. Then leave it aside for reinstallation. This should liberate the wheel, allowing the broken tyre to be changed. Nevertheless, many motorcycles do not come with a quick-release lever. In this situation, a screwdriver is required to release the nut in the middle of the wheel.

A 15-millimetre wrench is usually sufficient to loosen and remove the wheel nut. Remember that you may also look up how to replace your individual bicycle tyre in the handbook or on the company’s website. Furthermore, WD-40 or a similar lubricant can be used to aid the release of the threading and release the nuts if it is frozen.

STEP 2: Disconnect the brake cables and take off the tyre.

If you attempt to remove the wheel without detaching the brake cables, the force can damage the cables. On some bikes, the brake cables will disconnect automatically when the quick-release lever is removed, but the brake callipers must be squeezed in order to release the cables in most cases. While replacing a bike’s rear wheel, don’t forget to pull the chain off the gears. After disconnecting the chain and brake cables and removing the wheel nut or quick-release lever, you may lift or pull the tyre out of the arched slot where it typically rests on a bicycle.

STEP 3: Remove the valve retaining nut and deflate the tyre

To separate the rubber tyre from the metal wheel, the tyre must be totally deflated. Remove the air valve cap and lay it away for future use. With a screwdriver, remove the gas from the tyre by pulling down on the plunger inside the air valve. Your bike may also feature a Presta or a Michelin valve, which must be lifted up to release the air. If the air valve has a retaining nut or lock ring attaching it to the tyre rim, unscrew and detach the item, storing it with the air valve cover for the later reboot.

STEP 4: Using tyre pliers, detach the tyre from the wheel.

The flattened tyre will be difficult to remove from the wheel rim. Slide a tyre lever between the rim and the tyre, then apply leverage to lift the tyre edge away from the rim. Attach the tyre grip to the wheel spokes and use a second tyre lever on a different portion of the tyre. Wrap the second tyre lever all around the wheel’s rim until the entire side is loose. This should allow you to reach into the tyre and remove the internal diameter. When you’ve removed the inner tube, you should be capable of unscrewing the tyre from the metal wheel by sliding or bending it over the rim’s edge using your palms. Working your way around the exterior of the wheel, remove the tyre and check it for any catastrophic failure. In many circumstances, just the tubing has to be replaced, but if the outside tyre is severely damaged, it must also be replaced.

STEP 5: Fill the new tyre tube with air.

Extract the replacement tube from its packing, taking care to remove the dust cap, lock ring, and valve cover. Unfold the tubes and inspect it for any pre-existing problems before connecting it to a bike pump or tyre compressor to deliver air to the replacement tyre tube. Do not yet completely fill the tube.The goal of pumping air at this point is to assist the tube stay in place and to prevent destruction caused by squeezing, bending, or twisting the tube when restoring it. Place any little pieces in a secure location to avoid misplacing them.

STEP 6: Examine and reinstall the tyre.

Before putting in a fresh tyre or reconfiguring an old tyre with a new inflatable raft, check the interior and outer walls of the tyre for any physical damages, extreme wear and tear, or sharp items that might cause more harm. Replace one side of the tyre on the wheel rim, making that the tread is facing the correct way.Insert the air vent into the valve hole and insert the inner tube into the empty area between the tyre and the wheel rim. With the tube in place, twist the tyre’s outside edge so it fits into the wheel rim.

STEP 7: Replace the wheel and fully inflate the inner tube.

To completely fill the internal diameter, use a foot pump or a portable air compressor. If the PSI is not stated on the tyre, the necessary air pressure can be found in the bicycle handbook or on the relevant page. Remember to replace the air valve lid to eliminate inadvertent tyre collapse during usage.Replace the wheel on the bike and tighten it with the faster lever or wheel nut, whichever is appropriate. If you repaired the rear tyre, reconnect the brake wires and raise the rings back onto the gears. Put the bike straight and verify the fix with a brief ride after rotating the wheel to check it spins smoothly.

Takeaway:

Throughout the period of possession, routine motorcycle upkeep and secure storage may help maintain a bike in good shape. To prevent twisting a bike’s wheel, always change or fix any damaged tyres as soon as you can. Moreover, be sure to maintain a note of all tiny components, such as nuts, lock rings, or valve covers, when doing the maintenance or replacement. While being small, they are crucial to the bicycle’s operation, and if one is lost during maintenance, it may lead to another issue that must be fixed first before the bike can be ridden once more.

FAQ:

What causes a tyre to be repairable?

The puncture must be at least 1.5 inches from the outermost point of the tyre tread where the embedded steel belt starts for a proper replacement. Any rupture less than 1.5 inches from the beginning of the steel plate belt on the tyre’s shoulder or sidewall cannot be fixed (highlighted in red).

What is the maximum number of patches that a tyre may have?

A tyre can be mended several times. This regulation, however, is null and void if the hole covers another repair or injured region.

References:

Guide for tyre replacement, By Bob Villa, Feb 18, 2022