Puncture repair

Valve Types

Presta (High Pressure) Valve

These valves are common on road bikes which have narrow tyres which require a high pressure.

To let the air escape unscrew the barrel and press the end.

Schrader (Car Type) Valve

Schrader valves are mainly used on low pressure mountain/hybrid bikes which use fatter chunkier tyres.

To let air escape press the inner nipple.

Start at the top of the wheel near to the valve.  Carefully insert the tyre lever to release the bead of the tyre from the rim.  Be careful not to nip the inner tube.

Hook the lever onto a spoke.

Carefully insert the second tyre lever.

You can then start to move the lever around the tyre releasing the bead from the rim.

When the tyre is released on one side you can then get access to the inner tube.

Have a look around the inside of the tyre, there is usually a reason for a flat!  Do not run your fingers around the inside of the tyre as there may be glass, thorns or nails still embedded in the tyre.

Attach a pump on your tube and slightly inflate.

It should become apparent where your tube has a hole.  If not try immersing it in a bucket of water and look for bubbles of air.

Roughen the surface of the tube using an abrasive.

Apply a self adhesive patch or a thin layer of rubber solution.

Let this dry for a little while, you may want to apply a second layer.

Time for a quick slurp of tea!

This is a typical patch with a foil back. 

Peel the foil backing away.

Apply the patch covering the hole.

Press hard and make sure that there are no loose edges.

Remove the plastic cover.

Most puncture repair kits have some chalk to stop the tube sticking to the inside of the tyre.

Insert the repaired tube into the wheel starting from the valve.

Feed it in all the way around the wheel, you may find that it helps if it is semi inflated. 

When the tube is in place gently ease the tyre back onto the rim being very careful not to pinch the inner tube.

When the tyre is sitting on the wheel correctly pump it up to the correct pressure (this pressure is stamped on the side of the tyre).

Well done, you can now put the wheel back onto the bike and make sure that everything is running smoothly.  You deserve five minutes break and finish that cup of tea, go on spoil yourself with some chocolate, you can soon cycle the calories away!