Fixing a Busted Tire Using the Correct Tools

For cyclists, nothing stinks more than finding a flat tire. When you get your bike out at the start of Spring, excited to ride in the warm weather and see that one of your tires is sagging, your heart sinks. It means you have to pull out your stuff and repair the tire, which for many people, is a hard experience. Oftentimes, it's not even worth the work and they will simply decide not to go for a ride rather than having to confront the busted tire.

The main cause for the problems with fixing a flat tire is that the work isn't that easy to understand. It's not as easy as simply getting one tire off and putting another one in its spot. Instead, there is a lengthy process that needs a number of tools. However, once you find how to handle it, fixing a flat tire is a lot more navigable process. To help bikers change their own flat tires, here is a good reference on what tools you will use to fix your bike.

Tube

The most important piece of changing a tire is the tube. When you get a broken tire, it's not the visible shell that is broken rather, it is the rubber tube inside of that piece. You will have to take the one out that is in your bicycle, and place a new tube in that is filled with air. Keep in mind that there are some different kinds of tubes, presta, which use smaller and thinner valves, and shrader, which have larger, car like valves.

Levers

A great way to think of the lever, is that it is the bottle opener for your bike. In much the same manner you can't pop a bottle without an opener, you can not remove your tire without a lever. The lever is used to pry out the tire from inside the wheel, so that you can swap it with a clean one. In much the same way, the lever is used to push the new tube back in. It is useful to get a few levers as you will use them often.

Bicycle pump

A bike pump is the part needed in order to fill your tube with air. Depending on your needs, you may use anything from a stationary pump to a more portable hand pump. Each pump has a different level of pressure and effectiveness, depending upon the type you get. Be sure to check the type of tubes that the pump supports so you can know that it will work with the ones found on your bicycle.


Bicycle patch repair kit

You don't always have to purchase a new tube to repair your flat tire. Rather, you can do patchwork and block up the damaged holes in your tires. With these fixes, you will be able to continue using your old tire. Remember that this kind of fix will not last forever and that you will probably need to replace your tube. Given that, it does serve as a good quick fix.


You might not require all of these devices for your bike but owning them all can be incredibly helpful. You never know when you'll discover your tire is broken, and being prepared will make it less difficult to fix your tires in the future.