You were just about to hop onto the saddle when your eyes catch on your bike's flat tire. It's an annoying situation—whether it's a regular bike or one of our SUSHI BIKES. But don't worry, you don't need any training in bicycle mechatronics to change the inner tube yourself. With the right tools and a little time, you can easily change the inner tube on your bike or e-bike.
Changing a bicycle tube: step-by-step instructions
Step 1: Preparation
Changing a bicycle tube doesn't require any advanced skills or a lot of tools. A few basics are perfectly sufficient to get your bike back on track.
To change a hose you need:
- a tire lever to easily remove the tire from the rim
- a new bicycle tube in the correct size with a suitable valve
- alternatively: repair kit & bucket of water to patch the old hose
- a bicycle pump with attachment for the required valve
- optional: a wrench to remove the impeller
- optional: a pair of gloves to protect against dirt and injuries
Step 2: Removing the wheel
To replace a broken tube, you first need to remove the wheel from your bike. Find a safe, level surface on which you can place your bike. Turn the bike upside down and place it on its handlebars and saddle with the tires facing up.
Before you begin, you should remove the brakes to make removal easier. On bikes with disc brakes—like our SUSHI BIKES—you can skip this step.
Now open the quick release and loosen the wheel nut opposite your tire. If you don't have a quick release, simply loosen the nuts on both sides of the wheel. You should now be able to easily remove the wheel from the frame.
Remove rear wheel
If the flat is on your rear tire, removal is a bit more complicated due to the derailleur. Before removing the flat, shift into the highest gear so the chain is on the smallest sprocket, making the rest of the work easier. As with the front wheel, you'll need to disengage your brakes unless you have disc brakes.
After placing your bike on a safe level surface, loosen the quick release and the corresponding wheel nut. Then pull the rear derailleur backward to free the wheel. By pushing the derailleur cage down, you completely disengage the chain from the sprocket and can remove the rear wheel.
Step 3: Remove the old bicycle tube
Once you've removed the affected wheel from your bike's frame, you can start changing the tube. First, you need to detach the tire casing from the rim. To do this, place the tire lever between the casing and the rim from above. With a downward lever movement, lift the tire over the rim. Then, insert the tire lever into the resulting gap and pull it along the rim until the entire casing has come off.
To remove the broken tube, you first need to remove the lock nut and the valve cap. Then you can pull out the old tube. If you want to repair the old tube, roughly inflate it and hold it underwater bit by bit until you see air bubbles. You've found the hole. With a repair kit, you can now patch the hole and reuse the tube.
Step 4: Inserting the new bicycle tube
To prevent your new tube from being damaged immediately after changing it, you should make sure there are no foreign objects on the inside of the casing. The best way to do this is to run several fingers along the inside of the casing.
Then, unroll the new bicycle tube and insert the valve into the designated opening in the rim. Attach the locknut and gently inflate the tube until it takes on a round shape. However, there should be no tension on the tube.
Now, gradually tuck the new inner tube into the tire casing. Make sure the tube isn't pinched or creased anywhere between the casing and the rim.
You can then use your hands to push the tire back into the rim. You can use a tire lever to help with the final part.
Finally, massage the tire to push the tire bead into the center of the rim and ensure the tube is in the correct position.
Step 5: Inflate & Install
You're almost there! Pump the tire to the recommended pressure and reattach the wheel to the frame of your bicycle or e-bike. To do this, follow the removal steps in reverse order. Then you can pedal hard again!
More tips for changing bicycle tubes
If you don't have a tire lever handy, you can also use a screwdriver to remove the tire casing. Be careful not to damage the tube.
If you don't feel like changing the inner tube yourself, you can simply take your bike to your nearest bike repair shop . The tube change costs an average of around €30, and you can usually pick up your bike the next day.
