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How to Mend a Puncture in a Bike Tire

Community Q&A

Nothing will wreck a bike ride faster than a flat tire, but fixing a puncture can be a snap, with a little elbow grease and some common tools and products!


  1. 1
    Locate the cause and size of the puncture. If the tire is blown out, or has a large hole, it will have to be replaced. If you rode it through a patch of thorns, it may have dozens of holes, but if it is a single small puncture, for instance a nail, often it can be fixed on the bike. It is better if it`s only minimal.
  2. 2
    Turn the bike over so it is standing on the seat and handlebars. Make sure it is not on the brake levers or the gear shifter. A block of wood may be needed to support it off of these items.
  3. 3
    Release the wheel of the bike. Spin the tire slowly. Look for anything sticking out of the tire, such as a nail, a piece of wire, a screw, or any other object.
  4. 4
    Let the remaining air out of the tube. You may want to invest in a tire valve tool, but a matchstick, or ink pen can be used to depress the schrader valve stem to do this. The valve stem is the small round piece of metal underneath the plastic cap where air is put into the tire.
  5. 5
    Pry the tire off the rim. Use tire levers to remove the tire from the rim. Insert one between the rim and the tire, push down on the lever to lift the tire from the rim, insert the second tire lever, and run it around the rim to remove the tire. If you don't have tire levers you may use a screwdriver as follows: Push a dull flat blade (common) screwdriver between the tire bead and the rim, and pry the edge of the tire off the rim. You will need to pry the tire loose around the rim, about an inch or two (2.5 cm - 5 cm) apart, until the tire becomes loose enough to pull free on one side.
  6. 6
    Lift the tube out of the tire. Be careful not to rip the valve stem off. The tube should be hanging between the rim and the frame, so if it is a back wheel, don't let it become entangled with the gears or chain.
  7. 7
    Pump enough air into the tube to inflate it sufficiently to find the leak. A bike tube will double or triple its original diameter, and the more air, the more the leaking hole will expand, making it easier to find it.
  8. 8
    Look around the tube for a small hole. Feel and listen for air escaping. An even easier way is to hold part of the tube under water, for example in a bucket, to see bubbles escaping from the hole.
  9. 9
    Mark the location of the hole when you find it. Use a ballpoint pen or a piece of chalk to draw a large "+" centered on the puncture. Otherwise, you may have difficulty applying the patch. Remove the air from the tube once more.
  10. 10
    Buff the area where you will install your patch. Most patch kits come with a small metal rasp or a postage stamp-sized piece of sandpaper to do this.
  11. 11
    Spread a thin layer of glue around the puncture site. Allow it to dry until the liquid gloss disappears. Let as much air as possible out of the tube.
  12. 12
    Peel the plastic backing from the patch. Be careful not to touch the sticky adhesive surface, and place the sticky side on the tube, pressing it firmly into place. You will need to use one hand to hold the back of the tube to press hard enough to get the patch to seal.
  13. 13
    Slide the tube back into the tire. Be sure that the valve stem is aligned with the hole in the rim it sticks out of.
  14. 14
    Push the tire back on with the palms of your hands. Important: Avoid using levers if possible, and never use a screwdriver to perform this step. The object is to push the bead of the tire back over the rim, without pinching it and possibly causing another puncture.
  15. 15
    Put the wheel back on the bike. Reconnect the brake if you disconnected it to remove the wheel. If it was a back wheel, work the chain around the gear cluster. Verify that the rim is centered between the brakes. Then tighten down the nuts or quick-release lever firmly.
  16. 16
    Reinflate the tire. Read the tire pressure printed on the side of the tire and use a tire pressure gauge to avoid over-inflating the tire. Put away the tools and finish your ride.
  17. 17
    follow these steps----

Community Q&A

Add New Question
  • The rubber tire (not inner tube) has a puncture in it as well, probably 1cm in length, should I patch that up as well or do I need to buy another tire?
    There are kits to patch the outer tire, but this is a short term solution. I would recommend buying a new tire instead.
  • How do I fix a flat tire with no patch and only household items?
    wikiHow Contributor
    That's pretty close to impossible. You're better off getting a small tire repair kit -- just one with tire levers, some glue and some rubber patch. They're really inexpensive.
  • In the "things you'll need" box, a valve stem tool is listed. What is that, and how do I use it?
    wikiHow Contributor
    It's a small tool that has a piece on it that allows you to let the air out of the tire and allows you to unscrew the valve so you can add no-leak liquid, which prevents small holes from flattening your tire.
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  • There are amazing products on the market to reseal and inflate tires without dismounting the tire or wheel. Note, however, that when using it, you must still have a pump to re inflate the tire. "Fix-a-flat" is an aerosol can with latex rubber and a compressed propellant that instantly inflates tires, but it is a high pressure and sometimes combustible mixture, so it is more suitable for much larger tires. Chemical-based tire repair products also add weight to your wheels.
  • Familiarize yourself with the components of your bicycle. Removing the wheel may be difficult with different types of gears, chains, brakes, and other components. You may want to practice removing and replacing the wheels at home, before you get a flat. There are some pictorial representations in the external links.
  • If you do not have any patches or patch glue, normal super glue can be used without a patch. If using super glue it is best to leave it stand overnight.


  • A screwdriver is a good tool if there is no other option, but it may puncture the tube, scratch your rim (creating burrs which can puncture the tube again), and cause damage in general. If you have them, use a couple of tire levers. Tire levers may still damage a tube, but are much less likely to do so.
  • Never attempt repairs in dense areas of traffic or in other dangerous situations, including on a bike path. Push your disabled bike to safety before attempting any repair work. You will be too engrossed in repairing to notice oncoming cars, bicyclists and roller-bladers.
  • Over inflation or under inflation of a tire can create a hazardous condition and may make your tire more prone to a new puncture. Always follow the manufacturer's recommendations when inflating a bicycle tire. This should be located on the side of the tire, above the rim.

Things You'll Need

  • The contents of a bicycle emergency repair kit vary depending on how and where you ride. The following are the basic necessities. The items in this kit should fit easily in a small bum bag or saddle bag, and weigh less than five pounds. The emergency kit should include:

  • Tire levers
  • Spare tube, in case the one with the hole is beyond repair
  • Frame mounted bicycle pump
  • Patch kit with patches, metal buffing tool, and glue
  • Ballpoint pen or chalk, for marking the location of the leak.
  • Bike repair multi tool or at minimum the proper size wrench for removing the wheel.
  • Bike tire pressure gauge (reads higher pressures than a car tire gauge)

  • Valve stem tool (optional, but handy, cheap, and small)

Sources and Citations

Article Info

Categories: Bicycle Tire Maintenance

In other languages:

Español: arreglar un pinchazo de bicicleta, Deutsch: Ein Loch im Fahrradreifen flicken, Italiano: Riparare una Foratura della tua Bicicletta, Русский: починить пробитое колесо велосипеда, Português: Consertar Pneu Furado em Bicicletas

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