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Patching and repairing your bicycle tire – Step by step guide

A flat bicycle tire can be an unpleasant surprise during your bike ride, but fortunately repairing a flat bicycle tire is easy to do. In this step-by-step guide, we'll show you how to patch and repair a bicycle tire so you can get back on the road quickly. We also discuss some useful tips and methods to patch a bicycle tire without glue.

How can a bicycle tire get a puncture?

Before we get into the repair, it's helpful to understand how a bicycle tire can leak. Some common causes are:

Puncture by sharp objects: Nails, shards of glass, stones, and even thorns can puncture the tire and cause a puncture.
Excessive wear: Wear and tear from prolonged use can lead to weak spots in the tire, making it more likely to puncture.
Too low tire pressure: If your tires do not have the correct pressure, they are more likely to puncture due to shocks and impacts. You can prevent this by checking your tire pressure periodically and maintaining it at the correct level by using an electric bicycle pump.

Now, let's see how to fix a flat bicycle tire. All supplies are listed below:

Bicycle pump
Tire levers
Glueless bicycle stickers (for repairs without glue)
Water and soap solution (optional)

How do you repair a flat bicycle tire?

Remove the wheel
Remove the wheel with the flat tire from the bicycle and remove the remaining air by pressing the valve.
Remove the tire
Use tire levers to carefully remove the tire from the rim. Be careful not to damage the inner tube.
Check the inner tube
Fill the inner tube a little to see where the leak is. A handy trick is to roll the inner tube along your cheek; you will be able to feel the leak when it hits your skin.
Mark the leak
Once you find the leak, mark it with a pen or make a mental note of it.
Preparing the surface
If you use glueless bicycle stickers, you do not need to apply glue. Otherwise, clean the area around the leak with a little soap and water and let it dry.
Patch the leaky spot
Apply a glueless bicycle patch to the leak or use glue according to the instructions on the package. Make sure the adhesive adheres well.
Press and wait
Press the adhesive firmly and wait a few minutes, according to the instructions on the packaging, until it is firmly attached.
Check the tire
Check the inside of the tire thoroughly for sharp objects that may have caused the puncture. Remove any obstacles.
Important tip: . A common mistake is to use the tire levers to replace the tire, but this can cause you to puncture the inner tube (again). You should therefore always only do this with your hands. What helps is to massage the tire so that the inner tube fits properly on the rim.
Replace the inner tube
Carefully place the inner tube back into the tire and make sure it fits properly in the rim.
Inflate the tire
Use a bicycle pump to inflate the tire to the correct pressure, as indicated on the side of the tire.

Travel safely by bike

Now your bicycle tire should be ready to roll again. Keep in mind that some glues and stickers take some time to fully dry and harden, so it's wise to wait a while before heading out again. However, if you're in a hurry, make sure your tire is sufficiently inflated before you go.

These simple steps can help you fix a flat bike tire quickly and easily, and you can even use glueless patches to make the process even faster. Remember to always maintain the correct tire pressure to reduce the risk of punctures. You can easily do this by using an electric bicycle pump. This means you can get on your bike safely at all times!

Are you having trouble inflating your tire? Then read our blog post about the reasons why it is not possible to inflate your bicycle tire .

The number 1 tire pump for bicycles

The Donrox Ride F511 is ideal for inflating the tires of your bicycle without effort. This compressor fits on different types of valves and stops automatically at the desired air pressure. It is compact, portable and equipped with a pressure gauge and USB rechargeable power bank. You can use it at home, but also on the go. This way you are flexible enough to adjust the air pressure in your tires to the surface you are cycling on.

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