Changing a flat tire

At some stage, your tire will go flat. Changing the tire is quick and easy, and an essential skill.

Stuff you'll be needing:
- Tire patch kit (patches, abrasive patch, glue, levers)
- Pump
- New tube (if replacing entire tube)

(1) Check that there really is a puncture, by pumping up the tire and listening for leaks

(2) Turn the bike upside down, by resting it on the seat and handlebars

(3) Loosen the brake cables, and open the quick release mechanism

(4) The front wheel should just pop out; with the back wheel, you will need to lift the wheel out of the chain and around the derailleur

(5) Remove the tire from the rims by lifting it out with the tire levers - Lever one section of the tire out with one lever, and lock it onto the spokes

(6) With the other lever, run it around the tire to pop the rest of it off

(7) Check the inside of the tire for objects which may have caused the puncture, and remove them

(8) Locate the hole, and rough up the area around the hole with the abrasive patch, or some sandpaper

(9) Rub some glue onto the area around the hole, and stick the patch on

(10) Wait a few minutes for the glue to dry, and place the tube back inside the rim

(11) Put the tire back on, and pump it up, checking that it is no longer leaking

(12) If patching the hole does not solve the problem, replace the entire tube, they are very cheap anyway