Fix it yourself
How to fix a bike puncture
Most punctures take 20–30 minutes to fix at home with a couple of tyre levers and a pump. Here's how to do it properly — and how to stop the same puncture coming straight back.
20–30 minEasy
You'll need
Tools
- Two plastic tyre levers
- A pump that fits your valve (Presta, Schrader or Dunlop)
- A patch kit or a new inner tube in the right size (printed on the tyre sidewall)
- A 15mm spanner if your wheel has axle nuts instead of a quick release
Step by step
How to do it
- Take the wheel outShift onto the smallest rear sprocket. Open the brake quick-release if you have rim brakes, then open the wheel quick-release or undo the axle nuts and lift the wheel out.
- Lever off one side of the tyreLet all the air out. Opposite the valve, hook a tyre lever under the tyre bead and clip it to a spoke. Put the second lever in about 10cm along and slide it round the rim.
- Find the holePull the tube out and pump a little air into it. Listen for a hiss, or pass it through a bowl of water and watch for bubbles. Note where the hole is relative to the valve.
- Find what caused itCarefully run your fingers around the inside of the tyre and check the tread at the same spot as the hole. Remove any glass, thorn or flint — skip this and it will puncture again.
- Patch or replace the tubeTo patch: roughen the area with the sandpaper, spread a thin layer of glue, wait about a minute until it goes tacky, then press the patch on firmly. Or simply fit a new tube.
- Refit the tyrePut just enough air in the tube to give it shape. Push the valve through the rim first, tuck the tube in all round, then roll the tyre bead back on with your thumbs, starting at the valve and finishing opposite it. Avoid levers here — they pinch tubes.
- Inflate and checkPump up gradually and check the line on the tyre sits evenly above the rim on both sides. Inflate to the pressure printed on the sidewall, refit the wheel, close the brake and spin it to check.
Not going to plan?
Bring it in instead if…
- It keeps going flat after you fix it
- It's a hub-gear or e-bike hub-motor rear wheel
- The tyre is worn through, cut or cracked
- You've got tubeless tyres that won't seal
We can sort it
Puncture repair · £18 incl. tubeDrop in Monday–Friday 8:45am–5:45pm or Saturday 9am–4pm at 13 Lansdowne Mews, Hove — or book a collection within 5 miles.
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