How to Fix a Flat Tyre on Your Bike

Getting a puncture is one of cycling's most universal experiences. The good news is that fixing a flat is a skill any cyclist can master — and once you've done it a couple of times, it takes less than ten minutes by the roadside. Here's the complete process, from removing the wheel to getting back on the road.

What You'll Need

  • Tyre levers (2–3 plastic levers; never metal on road wheels)
  • A spare inner tube (matching your tyre size) or a patch repair kit
  • A pump — either a portable hand pump or CO₂ inflator
  • Optional: nitrile gloves to keep your hands clean

Step 1: Remove the Wheel

First, get the wheel off the bike. For quick-release wheels, flip the lever open and unscrew slightly — the wheel should drop free. For thru-axle wheels, unscrew the lever or use a hex key to remove the axle. For rear wheels, shift to the smallest rear sprocket first to make removal and reinstallation easier, and hold the derailleur back as the wheel comes out.

Step 2: Remove the Tyre and Inner Tube

  1. Let out any remaining air from the valve (press the centre pin on a Presta valve; push the valve core on a Schrader valve)
  2. Push both sides of the tyre bead toward the centre of the rim to create slack
  3. Hook a tyre lever under the bead at one point and lever it over the rim edge
  4. Hook the second lever a few inches away and work along the rim until one side of the tyre bead is fully off
  5. Pull the inner tube out from underneath the tyre

Step 3: Find the Cause of the Puncture

This step is crucial — skipping it means you may puncture again immediately. Run your fingers carefully along the inside of the tyre, feeling for glass, thorns, or sharp debris. Also inspect the rim tape to ensure no spoke holes are exposed. If you want to find the exact puncture location, inflate the old tube slightly and listen or feel for escaping air.

Step 4: Install a New Tube (or Patch the Old One)

Using a New Tube

  1. Slightly inflate the new tube so it holds its shape
  2. Push the valve through the valve hole in the rim
  3. Tuck the rest of the tube under the tyre, working around the wheel
  4. Seat the tyre bead back onto the rim by hand, starting at the valve and working away from it in both directions
  5. The last section is usually the hardest — use your thumbs to push the final bit of bead over the rim edge. Avoid tyre levers here if possible to prevent pinching the new tube

Using a Patch

Locate the hole, roughen the area with the sandpaper in your patch kit, apply vulcanising solution, wait for it to become tacky, then press the patch firmly over the hole. Wait a minute before reinflating.

Step 5: Inflate and Reinstall

Before inflating fully, check that no tube is visible between the tyre bead and rim (a pinched tube will immediately puncture again). Inflate to the recommended pressure printed on the tyre sidewall. Reinstall the wheel, ensuring the axle seats fully in the dropouts, and tighten the quick-release or thru-axle securely before riding.

Prevention Tips

  • Check your tyre pressure before every ride — under-inflated tyres are far more prone to pinch flats
  • Inspect your tyres regularly for embedded debris, cuts, and wear
  • Consider puncture-resistant tyres if commuting — the slightly heavier weight is worth the reliability

Fix a flat once or twice and it becomes second nature. Keep a spare tube, two tyre levers, and a pump in your saddle bag on every ride — you'll be glad you did.