Cycling is both ecological and healthy, and it is used more and more every day, especially by city dwellers. Since January 2020, 29% of new users have used cycle paths in France. This trend has accentuated with the health crisis.
For these new enthusiasts and others, Laurent Belando and Louise Roussel have released a very useful guide: Practical Bikes – Equip, Maintain, Repair – Make Your Bike Autonomous, edited by Tana.
A rather fun and educational book with photo tutorials to learn more about your bike, how to maintain and repair it. Here is an extract from learning (very simple) how to change an inner tube.
How to do ?
The quickest and easiest way to repair a puncture is to replace the punctured inner tube. However, before installing a new tube, carefully inspect the inside of the tire for sharp debris (glass, sharp stones, nails, etc.). Once the location of the puncture has been found, you can more easily determine whether the tire is in good condition or not.
To make the change, you will need an inner tube of the same size as your tire as well as a pump. Ideally you also have plastic tire levers.
Preamble
Before you begin step 1, you will remove the flat wheel from your bike. Remove the inner tube from the tire. At this time you can check the condition of your tire and completely remove the inner tube through the valve.
Step 1 :
Install one side of the tire to the bottom of the rim. This is usually not difficult to do, but if you have difficulty, use the same method as for the second side of the tire.
Inflate the inner tube slightly to make it easier to install and prevent it from getting stuck between the tire and the rim during assembly.
Now align the tire mark with the valve hole to find it faster.
2nd step :
Insert the valve into the valve hole and slide the inner tube into the tire. The valve must be straight. Slide your finger inside the tire to help the tube find its place in the cavity between the tire and the inside of the rim.
Step 3:
Install the tire into the rim using both hands, starting on one side of the valve and working from both sides of the valve to the other side.
If that’s not enough, maneuver the tire to make sure it has found its place at the deepest point of the rim.
Step 4:
The inner tubes and tires are in place. Make sure the tire does not pinch the inner tube. You can now inflate again.
Once re-inflated, you can put your wheel back on your bike, having to secure it correctly.
Note: If you are using disc brakes, do not press your brake trigger. In fact, by pulling the trigger, you move the brake pads and if there are no wheels, you can lose them.
Conclusion
There you go, you now know how to change the punctured inner tube on your bike. You can ride with peace of mind without fearing a bad puncture.