The question is in the subject, but here’s some background:
I’m a winter biker for years, and before I moved I lived very close to a local bike shop, so I never needed to worry about changing my own tires from regular to studded. Now I don’t, so it would be way more convenient for me to know how to change my own tires.
I’m not a handyman at all. Skills I’ve acquired this year include “changing a fuse,” “screwing things into walls,” and “hanging pictures evenly.”
My toolset is pretty limited.
Would it just be wiser to let the bike guys do it, or is it actually pretty simple?
It’s actually very simple, but you need the right tool ( cheap)
Go to the bike shop pay them to do it and ask them to teach you and sell you a set of levers.
In 10 minutes you will know how and have the tools you need.
it’s about the most simple thing you can do. All these years and you’ve never fixed a flat tire?
Mountain bike/cruiser/comfort bike or road bike?
You’ll need:
pump-large floor pump for home, small hand pump for the road
two tire irons Quik-stik If needed to put back tire on rim, will not pinch the tube. Changing tube how-to
This seems like a skill you’d need if you got a flat in the middle of nowhere, or after hours when the bike shops are closed. Go ahead and get you some learnin’.
My biggest problem was getting a kink in the inner tube. That create a pressure point and eventually a blow out. Usually on the road later and miles from home.
Poking the tube with a screwdriver as you lever the tire off was also frustrating. But, at least a leak shows up quickly and it can be patched. I guess today the bike shops have fancy levers? As a kid we always used a screwdriver from dad’s toolbox.
I agree that it’s wise to have someone knowledgeable show you and go over tips like keeping the valve stem in straight and not letting the tube get pinched. It’s best to actually do it under the watchful eye of someone who’s experienced. Like Rick says, it’s fairly simple. However, I can see where some people who aren’t particularly mechanically inclined (e.g. my sister) just won’t want to do it.
You avoid the kink by slightly inflating the tube before replacing the tire on the rim.
Tire irons have a rounded end to avoid puncturing the tube. The bigger problem is pinching the tube when levering the last bit of tire onto the rim.
This is mainly with road tires, most mt. bike tires are a loose enough fit that they can be removed and replaced by hand, no irons needed.
You should never use tire levers to install a tire, even on road bikes. The levers (irons) are for removing the tire.
Also, after you install the tire, I recommend you check the gap between the tire and the rim to make sure the tube isn’t pinched in there. Stick a finger (or tire lever) into the gap and run it all the way around, both sides.
To avoid pinching the tube as the last bit of tire goes on just make sure the last bit is by the valve. Then when you finish push the valve in and it should clear any pinch.
Yup. get someone to show you how. Its not really something you can get from a book.
The wider your rims the easier it is, I do not use levers to put the tyres on, on narrow rims with narrow tyres you really cannot.
I found out the only way to get these extremely tight fitting tyres on is to try work some slack around the rim to one place and then pop the last bit on.
Thanks, everyone! As I typed I was really worried I was going to get a long series of people saying “…watch it on YouTube, doofus.” Good to know that I ought to ask for a tutorial. The place I buy from is great for personalised service, so that shouldn’t be a problem.
I’ve only ever ridden with studs, and that’s all I’ve ever seen sold! They work just fine on snow and soft ice. Anything but solid sheets, which I’d be kind of dumb to bike across, anyway.
By the way, once you’ve learned to change the tire, you might as well get a portable pump and a spare tube and carry them with you, along with the tire levers. Then you’ll never get stranded because of a flat tire. (IMHO the best portable pump available is the Topeak Road Morph G.)
Thirded on the pump.
For a lever I personally love my Crank Brothers Speedier lever which both removes and installs tires without pinching the tube.
Very slick tool.
No need to go to bike shop. Just go to youtube. I’ll bet there are more than a dozen videos showing you how to do this. Just be sure you don’t pinch the tube and give yourself a flat.