How To Repair an Inner Tube Puncture: Tips from a Professional Bike Mechanic
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 ก.พ. 2022
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Repairing a punctured inner tube is a simple job when you know how and this video takes you through the important steps to get your bike back up and running in no time.
Watch all How To videos bit.ly/3GYAhRa
Presented by Jim from Jim The Bike Guy, a professional Cytech level 3 qualified bike mechanic specialising in servicing, upgrading and repairing all types of bikes from his bespoke workshop in West Berkshire. He specialises in high-end road, cyclocross and gravel bikes as well as cross-country race bikes. In his spare time he enjoys riding and racing all types of bikes to an enthusiastic standard.
Jim The Bike Guy
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heck, this guy is the Bob Ross of bike repairs. Such a soothing voice. Very nice and very informative Video.
Bahahahaha........ agreed he is truly an artist at his craft!
Jim, in my bike service shop, I’ve developed a trick to make the search for the cause of the puncture trivial. Before you remove the inner tube from the tire, index the tube and the tire. Mark the tire where the valve stem is. I use a ball point pen and put a small mark on the sidewall of the drive side of the tire, to show where the valve stem was. Then, mark the inner tube to indicate the drive side of the inner tube.
What that does is allow me to reproduce the exact orientations of the inner tube and tire. After I patch the inner tube, I can then realign the inner tube and tire, and the new patch will show me exactly where to find the object that caused the puncture, if it remains in the tire.
A word about those peel and stick patches: I patch a couple hundred inner tubes a year in my shop. I have never seen an old, functioning, peel and stick patch. I have patched dozens of inner tubes with failed peel and stick patches. They are temporary, at best. I do not recommend them and don’t sell them in my shop.
Glueless patches are worthless. I wish that wasn't the true but my experience says otherwise.
Index the hole that's a very good tip. A month ago I had a flat. The tyre at a first sight was just fine, even when passing my finger inside it.
But using that index method I've found 2 invisible little thorns inside it. If I didn't do that I would have got another flat immediately.
Even better: When reassembling the tyre onto the rim, align the text (tyre name) position with the valve. So no explicit marking is needed next time as you know by default that the tyre label itself is the implicit valve marking.
@@MiccaPhone of course, that works fine if you are the only one who has ever touched that tire installation!
Hi
Would you be able to have a video of your instructions?
I'm a newbie and to be honest struggled a bit with your instructions.
Regards
Guv
I always blow my inner tube up and hold it to my wheel where the valve would go to get an idea where the thorn or object might be in the tyre.
Me, too.
I usually carry a couple of spares and a glue kit for longer rides. Like most people here, I find those stick on patches are pretty unreliable. I usually wait until i have about 5 or 6 tubes then spend a few minutes fixing them at home. 3 coats of glue, couple on the patch, overnight with some weights on them and they're good to go. I've got some tubes that are more patch than tube now.
Watch this @ 2X speed playback. All is quite clear and well explained.
1. Jim... your moustache is epic
2. This video was like watching a Bob Ross painting tutorial - EXCELLENT
I was thinking Mister Rogers but Bob Ross is perfect!
Man, thanks 👍
I've never had one of those sticky patches work for me. I've gone through a whole pack and it's never adhered properly. Only thing I can think of is I roughed the tube up too much, the sticky part touched my fingers and got oil on it, sometimes I draw a circle around the hole with a marker and that interferes, or maybe I didn't rub it hard enough. I thought they were just a bad product but after watching this I might try again.
Puncture fixed. And the flint left inside the tire goes: "Yup, nailed it." 😮 Always double check your tires AND your rim tape after getting a flat.
He covers that in the other video. In fairness, this one is solely about repairing the puncture itself.
I couldn’t agree more. Everything I needed, nothing I didn’t. Thanks so much for the very helpful tutorial!!
Excellent video, thank you Jim! Clear, easy to understand, comprehensive. Well done.
Clear, comprehensive and helpful information. Thank you
Great video Jim- clear, concise and to the point.
I've long held the view that it's best to simply use my spare tube (having first carefully inspected the tyre for thorns, shards of flint, glass, etc), in the event of a puncture, and take the punctured tube home for repair where it's warm, clean and dry. Granted that plans fails in the instance of a second puncture but so far luck has been with me!
Whilst great care is required, I've found a fingertip search of the inside of the tyre is sometimes needed to locate the offending intrusion - but I can't stress enough the need for caution as clearly the item will be needle / razor sharp!!
A fair point, but I always try to fix a puncture first, the spare tube is the last resort, as once fitted, you have no back up if you get another flat, which has happened to me a number of times, as I tend to be off road 90% of the time, which makes punctures more likely.
At least from what I've seen, you should use the cold/self adhesive patches only for emergency repairs and hot patch it at home, since that fuses the patch to the tire.
Just like the old days when you waved a match around the patch area. Seems to kind of fuse everything together.
Wow. Excellent tips. Thank you for helping us out! Cheers!
TIPS:
If you have difficulty finding the hole, try this:
Pass the tube very close to your upper lip. It's a very sensitive area and you will "feel" the air.
OR
Add dish soap to water then stir so there are bubbles. Then use a sponge and rub it on the tire. It will blow bubbles where the hole is.
Add to your kit one of those tiny wipes they use at the hospital after using a syringe. Very good to clean the inner tube! You can find them for cheap at any pharmacy.
provided you have no big moustache .... lol
Awaiting 2 new treaded tyres for my e-bike which, loaded with 2x panniers of shopping, developed a puncture after getting home. It was a wet day, the tyres were slick and the bike very heavy, not surprising really. These couple of puncture/tyre change tutorial vids are really handy reminders and will make my repair job much easier come the day. Yes, I will def. be carrying a spare tube from now on. 👍
Such GREAT EXPERT videos Jim presents . . . I've found that if you are having trouble finding the puncture, try running the tube really close under your nose - an extra sensitive spot to help detect air escaping ! Happy trails!
Thanks Jim. Would appreciate feedback on Bruno's comment below that the patches you used are temporary and not as good as the old glue hot patches method for a long term fix. I have had a lot of issues with the temporary patches staying on over time.
They are temporary. Electric tape is about as useful.
Excellent as always!
0:40 100%! I won´t ever forget how i cycled around Manchester full of rubbish all over the place as a messenger on gravel tyres Continental - good brand, good reviews on the particular tyres, 15 quid each. worthless. for half a year I was getting punctures all the time, when it was only once a week that was a blessed week, sometimes it was more than once a day. I was even trying good old tricks as placing old tubes without valves in between the tubes and tyres as an extra protection, helped a little, then upgraded for a strip of carpet, helped a little more, but still plenty punctures. once I god fed up and swapped them for high quality puncture more resistant tyres from Challenge, 50 quid each, and I was waiting for my first puncture another half a year and that thorn was nearly ready to puncture a car tyre. no need to go into details how quickly that investment paid off on saved time and morale. sticky patches - I tried them once and didn´t work. so I´m back to the old school and with good patches it works just good. but yes, it is a hassle so thanks to your video I will try the new ones again. also, the old school patches usually come quite large whereas the punctures are usually no more than 1mm. I cut them in halfs, quarters or even more if large enough. just need to work them in and also hit the hole with the center of the patch better then with a bigger one. I find it easier, less wasting and even though marginally, adding less weight. the only thing I was missing in the video was the promised topic on when is the tube ready to be dismissed, I was looking forward it...
i still do find the old school repair kit better, i keep the instant one in the sadle bag but for the workshop repair i think it is better to use the old school method
You are correct.
thank you for great lesson just repaired inner tube and thanks to your tips it went well
A very good explanation. Thanks
Thanks mate. Really informative. Top man
Clear detailed explanation. Luv ur video
Mine is at the valve stem..Thanks so much for getting that out of the way ASAP. You are the best
I always start the hunt for the source of the puncture by looking around the tyre before removing the inner tube. If you find a thorn/flint, you know where the hole in the inner tube will be.
I'm still searching for a good way to mark the location of a puncture on the inner tube accurately. I've seen people suggest making the hole larger so it is easily visible - that just seems crazy!
Very helpful thank you 🙏🏼
Well done!
Thanks, Jim, awesome. Did not know they have a new version of the repair kit. Sound much more convenient!
BTW, you promise to tell us how many repairs can an inner tube take? as many as you want?
Good vid and teacher, thanks!
Jim is a brilliant tutor. May I suggest an idea💡 for a video - fixing a tubeless tyre at the roadside please.
I’d love to see a video on that same topic!
Hopefully the roadside spot will have his caravan there with all his workshop ready to go ! Good practical video. Job done
Put a tube in it.
Well done demo and camera work there. As far as on the seam patching, is there a specific technique to use for a more secured adhering of it to that uneven surface ?
Nice video. I have not seen the stick on patches here, only glue version. The sealant liquid does not really work for me and mostly just causes a mess. On my way to work, I had the fun of only 8 thorns in my front MTB wheel at the same time. It was fun to patch. Fortunately, not all penetrated.
Never had any luck with pre glued patches for a road bike.
Same here. I tend to take a few ‘glueless’ patches and ‘old school’ patches and tube of glue. Bib and braces maybe but they take up little room in the saddle bag so why not?
Did you roughen up the puncture site with a piece of sandpaper before applying such a patch?
@@yonglingng5640 I did, always do 👍
Well done Jim. Good clear video with a nice touch of humour. Once I was travelling from Adelaide to Sydney, pulled off the road for food and rest, woe be into a patch of three cornered jacks (sharp spiny little *&#@*) After 6 punctures merrily on way again.
I like this guy.
3 min in told me it's no good , ty , great video!
Great, you explained how to use the easy one, not the one where there's actually something to have doubts about, the one where you put glue on
Why use the difficult option when an easy one exists?
@@shoneybear maybe because that's all what you got
Cool video! May I suggest alcohol swabs are great for stick on patches! They weigh nothing and store in the patch kit. Oils from your skin really disrupt the sticking so I clean the tire and my fingers with my alcohol swab. Once it’s clean I stick it on and it lasts forever👍
Keep a small container that has a nozzle tip which is filled with soapy water to use for locating the leak. Especially, useful under low light conditions. Or use your own spit to verify the leak location.
I was thinking the mini tube was from a kids bike LOL
Thanks very much. I just wonder why the Front (vs.rear) Tube on my comfort bike: 1) keeps losing air comparatively fast; 2) keeps getting flats. Confounding!
Great vid as usual. Now pop that back onto your shopper & go get some more tea bags.
Wilco 👍
Thank you
Fabulous
Must be the best “instructor”on the net😊
Can a 18" inner tube fit a 20"x4.0 wheel if you put a pool noodle in the tire. What other size inner tubes can fit a 20"x4.0 bike wheel or fat tire wheel ?
the best video for idiots like me- thanks Jim
Pre glued ones not as reliable.
That’s what I have read
Yep, never had any luck with these new patch kits, or the other ones he talked about that use rubber cement....the really old school vulcanizing patch kits worked every time...had to literally burn the patch onto the tube, but never had one fail. Now, I just carry extra tubes, have a flat I replace the tube and throw the bad one away, no sense wasting time with patches, they might stick for a while but fall off quickly, usually before you even get the tire back on the wheel. Far from impressed with the glue on or the self-stick patches.
Puncture repair kit for home repair, sticky quick patches for saddle bag. And agree about valve punctures - a nightmare, makes the inner tube basically useless. Having mainly gone tubeless, I only have one set of wheels with inner tubes.
Fixed a valve with electrical tape in a pinch. Also works better than sticker patches. Still don't recommend it.
Hi bro ,I have one question .Should my bike upgrade cannodale badboy 700 CC ? Thank U.
Not lacerate the surface but ABRADE the surface. Damn good tutorial
I simply pack a replacement tube, tire removal tool, and a small air pump with me on my rides. Replacing the tube is easier and quicker than trying to find a tiny puncture hole especially if you are on the side of a busy road or around an unsafe part of town. I rather deal with repairing the punctured tube at home. Also, I have found the quick peel on patches useless for high pressure tires on road bikes (80-120 psi). They work on lower pressure tires but never last long on high psi tires.
i never had self stick patches work for me .... EVER ,they dont stick theyre useless and the backing paper is a prick to peel off
The technique of putting it to your cheek to feel for air coming out is great, I use my lips instead though.
They're even more sensitive and it's easier to not lose track of where it was as it's already in line with your eyes
Or just dunk it in a bucket of water and check for bubbles, thats the easiest way
Has anyone else noticed the manufacturers of the "china made" tubes, ALL seem to have the seams in the main surface area of the tube. Which makes it nearly impossible to get a patch to seal on the seam ? Making it easier to replace with another tube than repair it.
My dad taught me to put the tube in water to find all holes easily. Not always possible but it works so well.
Yep, quickest and easiest way especially once you get older and have some hearing loss.
I once used a deep pot hole full of water to find a puncture lol did the job
Ty!
Try a Simson Leak Detector -- little styrofoam pellets in a mesh cage that dance around when they are passed over a leak.
Leak detected, doh!
Great clear content as always, any chance of a video on your moustache? It’s a beauty and am trying to grow one myself so any guidance would be appreciated - I’m guesssing your Tom Ritcheys long lost son.
I can totally support you in your endeavours
@@jimthebikeguy thanks not sure I can grow one like yours but nothing ventured!
Okay, now here's the legit way: you put a drop of superglue on the puncture, you stretch the inner tube a couple of times, along the sides of the puncture, so the glue gets into the hole, sealing the tube. Wait for the glue to set. Done.
Wot do i do if i havent got a bike pump does blowing in it work??
So how many patches are too many? Always a discussion among our group. Thanks
I kinda think it's a lost cause after 2 patches as inevitably one or the other will leak.
It depends on the use case (I have multiple bikes, so it varies):
> Race bike: latex tubes with no patches at all used with lightweight tyres e.g. Vittoria Corsa, Michelin Competition etc. Will probably move to tubeless once I build up my latest carbon wheel purchase.
> Commuter & Training bikes: I don't like waste, so 5 - 10 patches is my limit depending on age. I write the date on the tube with a Sharpie pen when I first install it and scrap it when it gets 5+ patches at 10 years old or ~10 patches if less than 10 years.
Note:
1. I tend to ride tyres till the stiching comes through (not throw them out when the get to the wear indicators, e.g. GP4000S2) so I tend to get more punctures towards the end of the tyre life which is not a big deal since it so cheap to repair tubes, my patch repairs always work and I don't get that many flats anyway.
2. I always have a good tread condition tyre on the front wheel for grip and safety reasons (don't want a sudden flat at 80km/h!)
3. However, I have just ordered some tyre liners to be used when the rear tyre has become squared off and only has a few months of life left - this should reduce my patch consumption and I don't expect it to add much rolling resistance (0.5mm Polyurethane liner weighing 33g) but we will see.
4. Schwalbe Durano Plus tyres are great as a rear tyre for commuting. I have yet to wear it down to the blue spongy protection layer. No idea on how many thousand km's.....
If you have actual rubber patches and cement, and you'll done it properly they shouldn't leak. Those stickers will always form a bulge, a little crease or wrinkle and will leak. There's just no way they will last, unlike regular rubber cement patches which should last a long, long time.
Against the eye and you'll easily detect the air leak.. Keep the tyre maker lined up the valve when fitting.. This will help you zero in on the area of the tyre where there might be a thorn / flint etc....
I use my top lip to feel the waft of air. Seems to be my most sensative part.
To clean the inner tube do you suggest to use a little piece of sand paper or that little metal thing some of them have included?
He does exactly that in the video!
On a rush no patch available use small amount of crazy glue with small size paper or use sandpaper sand dark rubber from old tube again crazy glue powder rubber on top
I think the best patch kits were the ones that required matches or a lighter. Hot patch kits seemed to work the best, I think they were called Vulcanizing patches. Too bad they no longer make those because well dumb people would burn themselves or set something on fire. I've never had much luck with any of those stick on type patches, I just end up replacing the tube since I have to take everything apart anyways.
stick on patches suck, i never had luck with them, dunno how he has ,maybe he pays over the odds for premium brands ,the the generic brands of them all suck, ill stick to rubber solution glue and dry patch, it takes no extra space in the bike pouch
This Ladd knows a thing or two about a thing or two "
My punctures are swap the tubular tire , and repair the puncture at home. Rare that my Victoria's or contis puncture. . But when they do it's an hour of sowing and gluing. Lo,
Jim: Are those M/Off patches a permanent repair? as many brands seem to come off after a while............. and I only view them as a get you home option usually, until a old school repair can be done.
I never have any issues with them.
They pretend they are permanent, but yes, I've had more of them come off, or not stick at all. Wish they'd just bring back the old school vulcanizing patch kits that you literally burned the patch on. Never had any of those fail, these stick on patches are pretty useless.
we can use soap spray on tube or dip tube in water to detect leak hole ?
Yes but you have to make it perfect dry after for the patch.
Is a slit puncture worth attempting to repair?
Can anyone tell me what the actual name of these newer style sticky patches are? Compared to the tin kits you get
Instant patch, pre glued super patch, Slime Skabs, smart patch
Why not just replace the innertube in the field and patch the holey one at home?
I am an urban bike rider and I have wondered about the "slime" that can be added prior to getting a puncture or any kind of "goo" one can introduce via the valve after receiving a puncture. The objective being to get to a bike repair shop after a puncture and have a mechanic replace the tube with a new one. Thanks for the video, yes I have fading memories of the old style repair kits but never had to use one.
Yeah, i know what you mean. I dont like them as they tend to make the wheels heavy in one place so they wobble, and they cause other problems.
@@jimthebikeguy Thank you for your reply
I've found the "Slime" to be hit and miss. Sometimes it works, sometimes it don't. Just had a puncture a couple days ago on my bike, I put slime in, it slowed the leak down enough that I made it the 4 miles home from work, but trying to patch tubes with the garbage patch kits they offer now I've never had luck with. The tubes are paper thin and so are the tires. Thinking of getting solid rubber "tubes", forget all that other nonsense...way too many different types of burrs where I live.
I used the tiny tyre weld type inflator spray (£3, like shaving foam) from Decathlon years ago and I'm just patching the tube now.
There's a larger slit and a medium hole and they're airtight in water. It plugged the hole and to test I pushed it out (like a blob of silicone) with a tool and it deflated quickly.
Hopefully it will stay and work like tyre slime too. It'd be cheaper to buy and wouldn't slow the tyre down whilst in the toolkit.
The Schrader valve always had a bit of resistance when first inflating but it's ok.
I still use slimed tube while riding in thorny areas ... seems to work well.
Most sensitive areas to detect very small punctures are lips held near the tyre and even more sensitive you eyeball.
Is it required to play A Shave and a Haircut with the pump?...
I had the worst luck on my last outdoor ride….somehow managed to get 5…yes 5 punctures….how do you prepare for that? Ran out of co2, mini pump couldn’t hack it…in the end I just gave up and had to get rescued.
I’d just add that the punctures were in both wheels…so even my spare tube wasn’t enough
5 is a bad day. Nobody can win against that
Two punctures is my tolerance level. I've had a couple instances where I then had a third and that was a signal for me to call it a day. Taxi home or the "pick-up of shame" from the wife. :)
11:08 🤣
I like those patches in theory but they rarely work for me if the hole is anywhere near the seam, which it virtually always will be. It's just not worth the hassle to do it at the road side. ALWAYS take a spare tube and worry about whether to fix it later.
call me old style. pump the tube a bit, immerse in a bucket with water if you cant feel/hear where the hole is, dry it, sand it , a little cement and patch it. without cement its always a risk IMHO
Go for brand name quality glue & patch, cheap stuff look the same but not holding up, that will be a waste of money and most importantly, time !
In my experience, the self adhesive patches are dog do doo. Every time I’ve used one it’s failed.
Probably a cheap brand or you're not using them properly.
I use them for my road bike at 11 bar, thats a lot of pressure and I didn't have any problems so far.
@@redhunter1535
11bar! that's the best part of 160psi.
what do use at the side of the road to get that pressure? I only ever inflate my tires to 100 psi max.
People actually waste their time fixing a bicycle inner tube ? I just go buy another one. They’re not expensive. I will save them for a rainy do project 😂
Without using rubber solution 🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔
You're not repairing the puncture -- you're eliminating it by repairing the tube.
Your mates will not appreciate you getting out the glue. Carry a spare tube and catch up.
Those patches are useless. They are good for sticking pictures on the wall, but never on a bicycle tube. I have tried all types of cement but still, it leaks. I have run out of options when it comes to fixing my bicycle tube punctures. I never had any success so far.
Just go tubeless… never have to fix an inner tube again
Sorry mate. I’m 62. My wife is 63. Without our reading glasses we’ve got no chance of seeing a small puncture.
Geez, it took you 4.5 minutes to get to the meat of the matter. Good advice but an insufferable amount of unnecessary talking. Its a 4 minute video strethed to 15.
You really shouldn't be using a kid's tire. It's distracting. Looks like a 16". Or maybe smaller. Weird.
2022 and people are still using tubes SMH
Jokes people jokes, use whatever you want
too much talking....
Talk toooo much