You were about to get on the saddle when you noticed the flat tire on your bike. An annoying situation - regardless of whether it is 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 bicycle tube yourself. With the right tools and a little time, you can easily change the tube on your bicycle or e-bike.
Changing a bicycle tube: step-by-step instructions
Step 1: Preparation
You don't need any great skills or a lot of tools to change a bicycle tube . A few basics are enough to get your bike roadworthy again.
To change the hose you need:
- a tire lever to easily remove the tire from the rim
- a new bicycle tube in the right size with a suitable valve
- alternatively: repair kit & bucket of water to patch the old hose
- a bicycle pump with an 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 impeller
In order to change a broken tube, you must first remove the wheel of your bike. Find a safe and level surface on which you can place your bike stably. Turn the bike upside down and place it on its handlebars and saddle so that the tires are facing upwards.
Before you get started, you should remove the brakes to make removal easier. For bikes with disc brakes - like our SUSHI BIKES - you can skip this step.
Now open the quick release and loosen the opposite wheel nut on your tire. If you don't have a quick release, simply loosen the nuts on both sides of the wheel. Now you should be able to easily separate the bike from the frame.
Remove rear wheel
If the puncture is your rear tire, removal is a little more complicated due to the derailleur gears. Before removing, shift into the highest gear so that the chain is on the smallest sprocket and further work is made easier. As with the front wheel, you have to take off your brakes if you don't have disc brakes.
After you have positioned your bike on a safe level, loosen the quick release and the associated wheel nut. Then you pull the rear derailleur backwards to free the wheel. By pushing the gear cage down, you completely release the chain from the sprocket and can remove the rear wheel.
Step 3: Removing the old bike tube
Once you have removed the affected wheel from the frame of your bike, you can start changing the tube. First you have to remove the tire casing from the rim. To do this, place the tire lever from above between the tire and the rim. With a downward lever movement you lift the tire over the rim. You can then insert the tire lever into the resulting gap and pull it along the rim until the entire cover has come off.
To remove the broken hose, you must first remove the locking nut and the valve cap. Then you can pull out the old hose. If you want to mend the old hose, pump it up roughly and hold it under water bit by bit - until you see air bubbles. You found the hole. With a repair kit you can now patch the hole and reuse the hose.
Step 4: Inserting the new bicycle tube
To avoid damaging your new hose immediately after changing it, you should make sure that there are no foreign objects on the inside of the jacket. The best way to do this is to rub the inside of the coat with several fingers.
Then you roll out the new bicycle tube and insert the valve into the intended opening in the rim. You attach the lock nut and inflate the hose slightly. So much so that it takes on a round shape. However, there should be no tension on the hose.
Now you gradually stow the new bicycle tube in the tire casing. Make sure that the tube does not get caught between the casing and the rim or form wrinkles at any point.
You can then use your hands to push the tire back into the rim. You can use the tire lever for the last 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! Inflate the tire to the recommended tire pressure and reattach the wheel to the frame of your bicycle or e-bike. To do this, carry out the removal steps in reverse order. Then you can pedal hard again!
Further tips for changing bicycle tubes
If you don't have a tire lever on hand, you can also use a screwdriver to remove the tire casing. However, be particularly careful not to damage the hose.
If you don't feel like changing the bicycle tube yourself, you can simply take your bike to the nearest bicycle repair shop . Changing the tube there costs an average of around 30 euros and you can usually pick up your bike the next day.
