How to Change a Mountain Bike Tire in 4 Easy Steps
Mountain bikes are great to ride within the outdoors. Its stability and durability make it fit for most terrains.
But just like any other beast of a machine, a mountain bike can get a puncture too, and it may require you to think about how to change a mountain bike tire & inner tube.
A thought about it seems easy, but in truth, when it comes to the practicality of how to replace the tire on a mountain bike, things may prove a little bit more complicated.
I’m not saying it’s difficult, but you don’t expect bicycle tire replacement to be all lilies and roses.
So here are a few steps to help you when you get a flat mountain bike tire, and you don’t know how to replace a bike tire then This article will fill the gap if you went through.
Process on How to Change a Mountain Bike Tire Easily
- 1. Removing the Previous Tire
- 2. Taking out the Tube
- 3. Replacing the Inner Tube
- 4. Fixing the Tire onto the Wheel
The Tools You’ll Need to Replace a Bicycle Tire
- A Pump.
- A New Tube.
- Tire Levers.
Phase 1: Removing the Previous Tire
The first thing will be of course to take out the flat tire so that you can replace it with another one.
- Loosening the nuts. You will need to unscrew the bolts holding the axle in place first. Most bikes do not have them but if yours do, removing them should be easy. If they are very tight, try applying vegetable oil or silicone lubricant.
- The next step is to release the brakes. This step is only necessary for those bikes whose brakes may hinder the removal of the wheel. To remove them, just tug the cable from the socket. Some brakes may need you to do this while in a clamped arrangement.
- Remove the wheel from the frame. Taking out the front wheel should be easy. For the rear wheel, it is best if you adjust the chain to the smallest gear and then proceed to unscrew the nuts.
Phase 2: Taking out the Tube
- To remove the damaged tube, deflate it first. In most bikes, it will just involve pressing the valve to release the air inside. In others, you may be required to remove the top part of the stem.
- Continue to remove the tube by squeezing the tire together which will reveal to you the tire release from the rim of the bicycle. Use the tire levers to raise the sides of the tire and pry it from the rim.
- Once you have the tire out, remove the tube and check where it has been damaged.
- To locate the point of the puncture, simply fill the tube with some air and put it into a basin of water. Look for the point where the air bubbles are escaping.
- Thoroughly inspect the inner wall of the tire to see if you can locate the object that could have damaged your tube. It could be a piece of glass, a thorn, a protruding spoke, nails, etc.
Phase 3: Replacing the Inner Tube
- You can choose between fixing the damaged tube or replacing it with a new one. The damaged tube can be fixed by applying strong glue to a piece of rubber wide enough to cover the puncture and sticking it in place. Wait for the glue to dry completely.
- To replace the tube, pump in a small volume of air into the tube to give it a little shape. This will also keep you from pinching it while you put it back inside the tire. Be careful not to pump in too much air.
Phase 4: Fixing the Tire onto the Wheel
- With the tube inside the tire, place the tire onto the wheel and start mounting it. I highly advise that you refrain from using tire levers, screwdrivers or such tools as you increase the chances of causing harm to your new tube.
- Ensure that you check the tire to see if you are following the manufacturer’s indication of the direction you should follow when fixing it. This is because the threads of some tires are direction oriented.
- Mount one side of the tire first then carefully attach the tube inside it ensuring no part of it sticks out and then proceed to mount the other side of the tire.
- Check to make sure that the tire sits perfectly in place on the wheel and no part of it gets pinched. Try aligning the logos with the valve hole.
- Reinstate the lock ring and then pump enough air into the tube. Keep an eye on the tire during the inflation to see if a part of it got pinched. Tip: Every tire has a line that indicates if it’s sitting properly on the wheel after inflation. Check to make sure this line is visible all through.
- Once the tube is fully inflated, put the wheel back on the bicycle. Enjoy your bike riding!
Important Warnings to Note
It doesn’t matter whether you want to learn how to change a tight mountain bike tire or a loose one, all these steps will work just fine for all cases. While replacing your mountain bike tire, here are a few warnings you should keep in mind:
- Be careful while inflating your tire. Over-inflation will blow your tube. Use the advised pressure indicated on your tire.
- Keep oil from getting onto the brakes. Oil decays rubber.
- Always replace old tires. Especially if they are more than seven years old.
- Keep the tire and inner tube away from heat or hot objects. Heat weakens rubber and can cause the air inside the tube to expand and burst.
Tips
- For an easier time, work with the bicycle upside down.
- Dust your tube or tire with talcum powder before inflation.
- Work carefully when removing or returning the inner tube as it is very easy to puncture it.
- Make sure you check your new tube for any leaks before replacing it into the tire.
- The steps are straightforward to follow, and I believe it should take you half an hour or less to fix your mountain bike tire if this is your first time.
Frequently Asked Questions
| Question: Can you replace a mountain bike tire with any tire? |
| Answer: No. there are particular types of tires that you will find your manufacturer has recommended you use. Always stick to those instructions for the best experience. |
| Question: How frequently should I change my tires? |
| Answer: Most tires are designed to last between 10-15 years. However, exposure to UV light reduces a tire’s lifespan to 7 years. If you find that one tire has grown too old, don’t replace only one but both. |
Now, in the end, you may find your solution on how to change a mountain bike tire & inner tube accurately. If you follow this steps properly then you can easily replace the bicycle tire on trail or road when its need to change immediately. You don’t have to wait to go for a bicycle mechanic shop to fix the bicycle tire replacement.
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Reference: Yahoo Answer Quora