Fix A Flat Fast - How To Change An Inner Tube In Record Time
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.ค. 2015
- Get back on the road in record time with our guide to replacing an inner tube in under two minutes.
Comment below with your record!
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Punctures aren't great. You're not going to find anyone who enjoys stopping at the side of the road and fixing a flat. So, we thought that we should put together a guide to get you back on the road as quickly as possible.
Simon did it in just under two minutes. Can you beat that? Let us know in the comments.
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just cursing will take me more than 10 minuts
OMG! I can relate!😡
I had a puncture last week and I can confirm that this is a true statement.
lol
Lol me
my record is 30 mins with the help of another person
Lol
My record is around one hour, after sitting on the side of the road watching TH-cam videos on how to change a flat.
Me watching this video in preparation of spending 30 min to change a flat by myself
I’m with you brother
Mine is like 2 hours
Changing yourtube on youtube. I like it.
I'd have put more emphasis on finding the spike. Once you've put in a new tube and it's immediately punctured by the same same spike that's still stuck in the tyre, you'll soon learn! Before removing the tube from the tyre, I lay the tyre and tube in front of me with the valve in front of me - at 6 o'clock. Remove the tube, pump it up, find the hole, lay the tube back on the tyre and that tells me where on the tyre to look for the spike.
I love how he says being fast is no excuse for being messy and leaving your old inner tube on the road.
Then they cut to him ending his time with 1:53 and there's his inner tube, laying in the middle of the road
Did my back tyre the other day. Never done one before. Took about 3 hours running back and forth, watching TH-cam videos to see the next step. Now I know I will NEVER do a tyre change when out in the road. Will call a MaxiTaxi which can take my bike and me home. Thanks for the video anyway.
Just had to do this for the first time on Saturday. It took me 25 minutes. Thanks for the tips, I would love to get it down to under 10 minutes!
Got a puncture quite a few miles from home and was in a hurry to get back, changed it in a few minutes and off I went. Only a few yards up the road it was flat again, I had clearly not fitted the inner tube very well. Attempted to repair the tube at the roadside but there was more than 1 hole all in the same area. By this stage I had used every swear word in the book and rang my Dad to come pick me up. Meanwhile my father- in- law had to take my wife to work and mind my 3 year old till I return. Silver lining was a whole field of cows watching my every move from the fence on the other side of the road, till I stood up and they all bolted. Cows are daft.
The cows thought you were so mad you would throw the bike at them... I feel your pain...I punctured two inner tubes replacing a flat tire....and this was at home.
I'm a legend at fixing punctures. No one beats me.... at being slow to change them. I'm not kidding, it has taken me 40 minutes to change a tube. 15 minutes is probably my best time. Sometimes I manage to puncture the inner tube I've just changed before even getting wheel back on the bike, and have to start again. I've been at the side of the road for nearly an hour once (though, that's been when valve cores came out on me).
Paul Jakma i feel your pain.
I can supply evidence via Strava, with a bit of digging, if needs be. ;)
Paul Jakma I also feel your, gave my bike a service last month and changed the tyres, punctured the rear twice just putting tubes in, so mad i snapped my levers in frustration, never had such an expensive time for some thing so small :'(
My personal best is 30 minutes, with punctures nearly 4 hrs the first time I changed my tyre. Nevermind, I think it took me 7 hrs. I think I cried a bit at one point in time.
Nice to see others like me
Hi guys, Joel here from Thailand, I probably watch a video of yours every other day for about 2 years now - but I have never commented! Decided that talking about changing tubes needed a few lines about the roads here in Thailand. To describe them quickly, the roads here are VERY nice for a '3rd world country,' but with no upkeep whatsoever, which leads to random gaping potholes in an otherwise dream-like smooth road, as well as unending bits of glass pretty on any shoulder anywhere. So I was on a long ride about a month back (240k I think it turned out to be, and mostly in the rain), not the best weather but I was having a blast! Feeling perfectly fueled, riding well, decided to take back the KOM on a local climb, when I ran through an amazingly large patch of brown glass. I crossed my fingers, but no luck - flat almost immediately, even heard the air squeaking out. I was in such a good mood that I decided to grin and bear it, go for a 'fastest change ever,' and I see looking back on Strava that I finished in under 5 minutes. Felt good about that, seeing as I changed the flat in the rain, I got back on, and what felt like a minute later I was flat again. Bah! To wrap this up, I went through so much of that glass that there was no way to find all the pieces, I ended up fixing my inner tube 3 more times before using a new one from my saddle bag which I STILL fixed once more before reaching home. Upon arrival, after many choice words I won't repeat here, I snapped open the quick-release, threw my tire and tube in the bin, but then at least got to crack a cold beer in celebration of making it home safe, sound, soaked but smiling. Haha, great memories of good days on 2-wheels! Here's the Strava link, at least I did manage to take not only that KOM, but two others in the same stretch, in between flats number 3 and 4 I believe it was! Guess it was a great way to take out my frustration from all the flatting :) www.strava.com/activities/757452178
Thanks for the comment Joel! That's a quick change - you'd probably (definitely) beat Matt and Lasty with that.
Does this still work if you have a Tire and not a Tyre?
No.
Yes, but not if you get tired, eh.
Tires only rotate clockwise and Tyres go anticlockwise, so just keep this in mind so you don't install the tube the wrong way.
Years ago a motorcycle mechanic showed me a crucial tip for removing any Tire. It is a matter of simple geometry. Every Rim has a center portion known as the well which has a smaller diameter than the outer edge of the rim wall. When removing the first side of a mounted Tire it is far far easier to make sure that the second side, the side you are not trying to remove, is somewhere near the Centre of the well towards the side that you are trying to remove. Exactly where depends on the depth of the well but you can usually gauge how loose the tire is just by feel. The effect is similar to removing the second side of the tire after you have already removed the first side. When there is no pressure on the opposite side that side of the tire has no tension on it and will have the minimum diameter which allows maximum flex. In many cases no tools are needed even with my weak fingers.
I think I was doing that without even noticing because I like to unstick the tire walls from the rim. But I never though of this. I will try it on my next flat. Sounds like a really good advice. I wish you a tensioned chain and wind from behind!
I learnt this working on 1970s mopeds. It's quite possibly the most important yet overlooked step. I wrecked a rim and several tools skipping this step when first starting out. Anyone reading this about to change a tyre/tube take head: tyre beads within rim centres.
I'm too cheap to put in a new tube. I always patch my tubes before I replace it. (My record is 14 patches on one tube.) And my new tires are too tight so I always carry 2 levers with me.
14 is pretty impressive. I usually only make it to about 3 or 4
i would do the same but today i had a puncture so bad that all my patches wouldn't repair the tube, had to walk 20k because i didn't bring a new tube
changed the front tyre in 15 seconds on the go pulling a wheelie
sure you did
Just the front?
@@carlarogers6004 no quick endo and replaced the back tube in 10
@@adrianbaldwin8832 easy done when you ride a balance bike 😏
Allright. It takes me half an hour just to get enough warmth and strength in my hands to get the tire off the rim. Then another hour of unsuccessful searching for any sharp objects in the tire. (I must say that it was winter, rainy, and pitch- dark). And then after installing a brand new inner tube and discovering that there sure must be something sharp in the tire because the brand new inner tube just got flat, i need another hour to dry and paste the old tire and an hour to swap it again. But the ones who perseveres win.
Maybe you pinched the new inner tube. I just #$%^ing pinched two brand-new inner tubes changing a flat....and this was at home. Some tires are super hard to take off and/or put on.
Changing my tyre on a ride is what puts me off cycling longer distances - I really enjoy solo cycling as all my other sports are team based so this way I get time to clear my head etc.
I think my last bike put me off, it was so incredibly difficult to get the tyre on and off - even my ex, a seasoned biker had terrible trouble. Maybe I should just practice getting my tyre on and off at home a few times.
look at PC comment a couple of comments down, the bead needs to be in the tire well, bike tyres can be frustrating to keep the bead in the rim well, I put pressure on the bead with a tyre lever, then go round the rim with my thumb pushing the side wall into the center of the rim, this usually results in the tyre coming off and you are away.
I rang Chuck Norris he asked to speak to the tyre .... it automatically inflated itself and hasn’t gone flat in 20 years . So 35 seconds is my personal best. 👍👍🏽👍🏻
My fastest time was 0 seconds. I stopped, looked at my back tyre and it was fully inflated, was just a phantom puncture I guess
1:53 - plus the seconds needed to pick up the old tube from the road and get it into your pocket Si.....
Just to add to the step of removing and inspecting the tyre, when fitting the tyre back on the rim make sure that it is facing in the right rolling direction! most of the time the tyre shows the direction is meant to face!
with non disc wheels ive found you can turn the whole wheel
Alfred Thabiso. Good point! That's something I'd probably forget to check too
@@braxtonbenseman6327 No. Most of the tyres have a right sense to put on the bicycle, it is marked on them if they have. And you can turn the whole wheel if it is the front wheel, not the back wheel due to the drivetrain part.
Putting the tyre back on is so difficult without leavers!.. Thanks for the upload!
after discovering the inner tube was faulty it took me 25 minutes - 1st time :D I'm happy thank you for vid
Well done. I will give it a good!
I use STOP Flats2 Tire Liners. I have not had a single road flat since I started using this product. I carry a spare tube when I am on a long ride, but I have never needed to use it.
One problem that I have when changing a tube is that I have a latex sensitivity. Maybe I should use non-latex gloves when working with tires and tubes.
hmm... while I've never tried to go for a record in changing my flat tires, my friend did time me with her phone last time, and while not being rushed about it, I got three:thirty, I think that's quite good tbh. :)
As far as the size of tyres I've found Continental GP4000S (in both 23mm and 25mm) go on and off really easily. But Continental GP 4 Seasons are really tough, even in the house it took me ages to get them onto the rims (in both 23mm and 25mm). My thumbs didn't recover for days!
Thank you for your clear instructions.
Hope it helps🙌
thanks for the guide I watched all 3 of the videos regarding on how to repair/replace the inner tube and i just finished doing my first repair for it. Sadly, i might actually holes because of the way I try to push the inner tube in and I later tried a method i thought up on the spot and it worked much easier :P
Its been 7 years which trick is this and how can I learn it. I constantly do this
Only around 7 min for me, but without tyre levers and that's a first for me! cheers!
Good tips on getting the tyre on and off without levers.
Anybody know why it always seems harder to get the second bead on the rim though?
please make a video with whats your opinion for top 10 or top 5 tyres please
But there's paid promotion in GCN-videos 😁
Very good! Have used that technique after being shown how by an ex-team mechanic... Some rims have deeper wells than others. As I no longer race, I use Velocity rims and Conti tyres - easy combination to get on and off quickly :)
What's better for learning to ride with clipless pedals (for road cycling)? Road pedals or mtb pedals?
very interesting thanks
Love to see this done with Conti GP4000s ii on a tubeless ready rim like PR1400 DTSwiss took me about 2hrs till I figured a way.
Working at Halfords I have this down to something like 2 minutes while chatting with the customer.
ITisCRAIG You're an exception to the rule of Halfords employees
Officer Baron haha yeah I know XD we are not all bad.
ITisCRAIG Easy to do when you're in a calm dry workshop with no wind and no cars rushing by and getting all your bits and bobs lost in the grass whilst getting freezing cold.
Mark Hewitt It is not any more difficult. I mean its a tire, a rim, a tube and if its a presta you have a tension screw.
Mark Hewitt 'All your bits and bobs'? 😂😂 What an massive inner tube and a pump? 😂
Took me almost 2 hours with sore thumbs. Lol. Thanks for this guide.
Most people, even good bike mechanics don't know this (but Leonard Zinn does): lift the bead off (and on) the rim OPPOSITE the valve. That lets the bead completely into the rim channel, giving you that much more of a gap to work with when you get around to the valve area.
I will have to try that, the next time I get a flat or rotate the tires....thanks for the tip.
how about changing the back tire? I know it'd be helpful to add those extra steps... think you have change the gears to a certain level but I'm not sure.
Thanks for the video.
really helpful
Well I am embarrased to say. Last time I had to change, I blew out the replacement and had to walk almost 2 miles before the wife answered her cell and came to get me. I was 15 miles from home.
Its easier to do as he says about putting the wheel on the road, but grab and push the tyre round to the bottom in a series of grabs each couple of inches. Sliding your hands round the tyre is not only uncomfortable its not so effective. Then only take one side of the tyre off the rim and remove the innertube. You can check the inner for thorns and stuff whilst it is still on the rim. Inflate the innertube a couple of pumps to gets some shape and stop it getting pinched whilst refitting the tyre in a reverse of how you got it off. You may find getting the tyre ff and on is easier if you put one side of the wheel into your waist and hold the whole thing away and down from you instead of resting on the ground.
My favorite host. You can change my tires any day.
don't leave a mess. good tip!
You can check for glass etc. with one bead on!
The first time it took me about 55 minutes, and it was the back wheel as well.
I can't say I can change it as fast as that but it usually takes me about 10 minutes.
you've done this plenty of times lol, good video
One extra good advice: try to locate the spot of the puncture on the inner tube! So you know more or less where to look for the sharp object in the outer tyre. When you don't, and just go quickly with your fingers in the Outer tyre, Sooner or later you Will get a nasty cut in your fingers! Like I had once: it got infected and took weeks to heal properly! Since then I take a little more time to be cautious!
You saved my life today :D
Conti gatorskins !!! Try getting a puncture on one of them changed in undet 2 minutes even with tyre levers 😫
Yes, I couldn't change mine without levers. I don't get too many flats with them unless badly worn out.
I thought I had strong hands until I needed "a little bit of thumb strength" - back on the road thx!
Happened to me today. First time to replace an inner tube of a road bike. I realized how under trained my thumbs are. Haha!
Cannot, for the life of me, get that last bit of tire back onto the rim... Any thoughts/suggestions?
@@a2b716 Some tires are harder than others...the 23mm for sure are harder to put back on than the 25mm and mtn. bike tires. The last few inches or cms...I always use tire levers.....most times I've got three levers going at it.
What are the easiest tyres to work with at a puncture without compromising performance?
I am literally going through this as I type. I had to search for how to change a tyre whilst on the side of the road. Let’s just say mine took about 30 minutes as I didn’t have my pump handy. Also, my tyre is so fucking hard to remove. The only reason I go the gym these days. Just to have the strength to change my damn hard tyres. I had an eye opening moment when he said some tyres are just hard to remove. Cheers for sharing. Thought I was a lazy fuck. Lol
My best is about 6 hours, because it's freaking impossible the get the bead over the rim.
So many "how to fix a puncture" videos assume that it's easy to do - but it's next to impossible.
Im a MTBiker ... last inner tube change during a ride was january 2014
But I change every new year on bikeshop to prevent material drying or get mechanical issue ....
I can never get the inner tube on with the tire half on, always have to go inner tube then tire on the whole way. Usually takes me about 5 minutes!
I had my very first puncture away from home after years (guess I'm a bit lucky there) and I REALLY struggled to get the tyre off the rim, even with levers. Came here to see if I was doing something wrong, I guess I should just try a different tyre next time. LOL
the way how I used to do it always have me bludges tried this way no bludge thanks guys subbed
whats the best way to identify a puncture in the inner tube, while on road. For example. yesterday I had a flat. I got the tube out, say if I only had patch kits, and had to identify where it got punctured, and its not obvious. What is the best way to locate the area that needs patched?
Hi
I would love to see an unedited version of the tyre change with the clock running. .....lol
I just get angry and put it off so I would say that it takes me about 2weeks
lol
sadly, Im with you! Bikes still sitting in the shed whilst i watch videos on here to convince myself how easy it should be to change! Been a month so far!
Taken me since last summer so far
Done it in less than 2 minutes but that was a "friendly" competition ;)
I had to change my tube on the road the other day for the first time. I found the replacement tube was slightly larger (in length) than the OE tube that the bike came fitted with (by about an inch or so). The OE tube sat snug around the wheel. The new tube didn't sit snug around the wheel as it was marginally larger. I double checked the size and nothing was wrong - Maxxis 700C 18-25. The OE is some other Taiwanese name that I have never heard of (the bike is a Taiwan made Merida). I somehow managed to put the tyre back around it, inflated with a mini pump and came back home - no hassles. Nothing seems wrong. Could anyone please tell me whether this is how it is or is something wrong somewhere?
Wot no tire levers?
Will Bick If you can do without you should. Tire levers often damage the tire, tube or sometimes even the wheel and they're kinda clumsy anyways.
Skooteh Whenever I use tyre levers I have this horrible vision of me shredding the rubber of the tyre
Mububban23 Did that the other day, with my new gatorskins. (Cost 25 quid each) Luckily, there was no real damage, but a fair bit of rubber came off. They where hard as fuck to get on in the first place though.
If you're damaging your tires with tire levers, you're not using them right. There are some good videos about correct usage - the best ones are about how to get off really tight tires using two or even three levers at the same time to bring part of the bead over the rim. That's the proper use. If you're sliding them along the bead before that tension is released, of course you're going to risk damaging the tires - or even injuring your hand.
My friend uses a spoon
Can you do a video with you changing the back wheel? It's very tricky to get the back wheel back on while getting the chain to rest on thee correct spot on the rear cassette.
Switch the chain to the complete outside, before you remove the wheel. Makes it much easier :)
I just carry on, but doing a wheelie. If the rear goes then a rolling endo with my right foot over the bars scuffing the top of the tyre to keep going. Works ok until I hit 30% gradients.
I fixed a puncture yesterday using PVC tape. It stayed up 24 hrs until I could fix it properly at home. Just wrap it around the the tube several times where the hole is with about an inch width.
Simon, did you line up your tyre label to the valve stem? I think not!! Tut tut tut!!
I can change a tyre at home re inflating with a floor pump in well under 3 minutes, but out on the road takes longer cause I'm checking for what caused the flat, re inflating with a mini pump & I don't have a nice bench to work on. There are too many variables that effect time taken out on the road. Anything under 5 minutes is still good so don't stress if your not fast, just do it properly and keep riding. :-)
I did mine about two minutes yesterday without a problem
Wich set of wheels are you using?
never tried timing it or going as fast as I can, but normally it takes me around 5 min, and that's patching it, not just replacing the tube
Rims also varying, that's why tyres and rims that are made to ETRTO standard are much more uniformed. Brands like Continental follow ETRTO.
I don't know how to change a tire on a car and I've driven for over ten years. My response to strange engine noises is usually 'turn the radio up'. Now I'm researching maintenance of, and how to change the tire on, a bicycle. I do not own a bicycle.
One tip...
Never rest your bike drivetrain side down (crankset, derailleurs, chain side, etc...).
If you have to rest it on the ground, do it with the non-drivetrain side facing down.
Came here to post this. I couldn't believe he did it. lol
Have you ever used a Tyre Key while changing a tyre? What's your opinion on them?
Usually takes me about 8 minutes to change the tube on one wheel on my mtb. The tire beads on wired tires are a pain to remove without levers.
great video lads, but you didnt mention checking the rim tape
Maybe use aramid (kevlar) protected tyres. I didn't have puncture since I use that - 6 years. ;)
Good
It always seems as though people show how to change the front tyre. It would be great to see changing the back tyre which can be much more complex.
th-cam.com/video/qLO_HO0kEjs/w-d-xo.html
Last time i had to change y inner tube was on the rear, it was initially a little annoying given I need to clean my drivetrain but, managed 15-20 min I believe... (Damn finger plates damaged my rear rim too)
Took me over an hour to put on two brand tyres and inner tubes, spent the longest on the back tyre trying get it off the wheel rim without any tyre levers nightmare
Hey guys, a question here!
Do you have more chances to puncture with hot weather? Does the heat affect the capability of rubber to resist penetration? I noticed there are much more punctures in summer than in winter.
Also, do you reccomend fixing a flat tire or just throwing it away?
Christian Ortega More people riding in the nicer summer weather hence higher puncture figures, perhaps?
I heard that is better to seat down to do this instead of be standing over using energy ?
My best time 2min8sec damn it!!
Working in a bike shop and changing tubes and tires all day I'd say I've got it down to a minute or so, on bike... Rear wheel is a bit slower though..
0:35 or just use Tyre Levers and save half the struggle? I'm guessing this method only works for folding tyres anyway...
Can I fit a 25c tire on a 23 rim?
I commute about 20 + miles every day on my bike and use the horrendous A200 so lots of punctures got fed up and with a little trial and error started using Scwalbe Marathon Plus tyres - I have never had a puncture since - any one else with the same experience?
For commuting purposes the Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres are just perfect. I commute 35 km every day with them, without a single puncture in the last 3 years, the time I have using those tires.
Getting those plus self repairing heavy duty tubes Friday. Fuck wire bead tires I can't change the goddamn tubes! Lol
I think Peter Sagan beat your time yesterday, and finishing on the podium to boot. Although you might not consider getting a new wheel from the service car falls in under "fixing a flat" :)
llandor peter sagan actually simply changed his bike..... not just the wheel....
Ashley Towey Ah, even easier :) Must be nice having a service car with a bike ready, although probably cheaper with a spare tube in my back pocket.
I use tubeless, so the only type of flats I get are punctures from sharp objects. However, changing a tubeless compatible tire is a pain in the arse and pretty much impossible without two or more tire levers.
You see, all of these videos give the impression that getting the first bead over the rim is easy, but on my bike that's the hardest bit.
How do you take of a back tire
Which GCN presenter can change a tyre the quickest... new episode idea?!
Nathan Budd We actually did do that in our first GCN presenter race (along with swimming and changing a riders' wheel). Do a search on our channel for presenter race and you'll find it.
Global Cycling Network I remember actually. Obviously watched far too many GCN videos to keep track!
Kinda sad but I had to take mine in to get changed the other day because it was my bank tire and I was unsure about how to take the gears on and off. The front wheel I feel like I could handle now.
Why on every video on how to change an inner tube do the presenters always demonstrate how to do this on the front wheel? Do you never get a puncture on the rear ?
4 min under rainy conditions, conti 5000 and latex tube, inflated with co2..and I was not in the hurry
1.) In a group, always offer to hold the bike for your mate as he/she works on repairing the tire. If you are the third person, offer to hold levers, tubes, CO2, etc. It is all part of good riding manners. 2.) Watch oncoming traffic for the safety of your group - aim the rear rear flashing light toward oncoming traffic for your own safety. 3.) Be patient and friendly - getting a flat is stressful, and when you're the one with the flat, you can feel everyone's eyes watching you as the crappy adrenaline-rush hits. 4.) Practice changing your bike tire when you're at home in front of the television. "Practice makes permanent" goes the saying, and if you can master a speedy tire change, you can do anything.
They must be using soft tires or foldable (Wireless) tires...I have to use 3 tire levers and lose a gallon of sweat to put on a tire...a few times I even managed to still puncture the inner tube even when I'm super careful.