Video guide: How to repair a puncture on a bike

By Cycling UK
Cycling UK has produced a series of easily accessible video guides on maintenance and road safety. In this guide, we cover what to do if you’re unfortunate enough to get a puncture

Punctures are among the most commons problems you’re likely to encounter when cycling. But with a little preparation, and the correct tools, they are easy to fix.

Watch the video by clicking on the image above, or read the instructions below.

Make sure you take with you on your ride:

  • Tyre levers
  • A replacement innertube
  • Or patches
  • A pump
Punctures are easy to repair

First, find somewhere safe to pull over. If you have V brakes, unclip the brake noodle to release the brakes on the affected wheel. If you have calliper brakes, there is often a release lever you can pull.

If the rear is flat, put the bike into its highest gear, or smallest sprocket, then unlock the wheel’s quick-release skewers. Lift the bike up with your left hand and use your right to move the rear derailleur backwards. This allows the rear wheel to drop out of the frame.

Place the bike down with the chain facing upwards to protect the more vulnerable chaindrive side of your bike. Squeeze around the tyre to release the seal between the tyre and the rim of the wheel. Use a tyre lever to lift the tyre off the rim and secure it to a spoke. Use the second tyre lever to separate the bead and the rim all the way round.

Remove the innertube from the wheel. Check the tyre for the cause of the puncture and remove it. Then partially inflate the new inner, before feeding it into the tyre. Reseat the tyre using your hands.

Squeeze the tyre to make sure the innertube is corrected seated and won’t get caught between bead of the tyre and the rim of the wheel. Reinflate the tyre.

Use a pair of levers to remove the tyre

Ensuring the cassette is on the right-hand side, lift the bike up by the saddle and then place the bottom of the chain underneath the smallest sprocket. With the right hand, move the rear derailleur to the rear and then lower the dropouts onto the wheel axle. Secure the quick-release skewer. Re-engage your brakes and you’re good to go.

Keep the innertube with you as you might be able to repair it at home with a patch kit. Innertubes can’t be recycled at home, so if the puncture is beyond repair, check if your local bike shop offers a recycling service. This is managed by Velorim; enter your postcode on the site to find your nearest pick-up point.

You can also check out our five handy written guides on bike maintenance. Fixing punctures is covered in the third guide, Repairing a puncture. It also contains useful information about quick-release skewers and how to remove your wheel.

Packed with instructional diagrams and handy hints, it’s been designed to download on your phone as a reference guide you can take wherever you go.
 

Maintenance Video Beginner cycling How to guides Technical advice

Further reading