HTML PLAIN TEXT COPY <h1>Bike got a flat? You can fix that</h1> <p> <em>"This story was originally published by <a href="https://grist.org" title="Grist">Grist</a>. Sign up for Grist's <a href="https://go.grist.org/signup/weekly/partner?utm_campaign=republish-content&utm_medium=syndication&utm_source=partner" title="Weekly newsletter">weekly newsletter here</a>."</em> </p> <p>There are certainly some legitimate excuses for not hitting the streets on two wheels, but for many of us, our hesitation is a lot simpler: We’ve got a flat tire, and we’re too lazy, or too busy to fix it. Or maybe we just don’t know how.</p> <p>A few years back, I was in those lazy shoes (size 9.5, to be exact). But when I took my borrowed bike to a repair shop for a tune-up, the crew there told me it would be two days before they could get to it. Thanks to their ample coaching, words of encouragement, and stockpile of tools, however, I managed to do it with my own two hands — and damn it if it didn’t feel empowering.</p> <p>Here are 10 easy steps to get you back out there, with photos of (and pro tips from!) Grist staffer and resident bike nerd Peter Berzins. Like what you see? <a href="https://go.grist.org/signup/shift-happens">Sign up for our Shift Happens newsletter</a> and get an every-other-week email from me about folks who are fixing the planet, with DIY fun like this mixed in.</p> <h3><strong>1. Check to see if you actually have a leak!</strong></h3> <p>Even perfectly good bike tires lose pressure over time. Try pumping up your flat — it might just hold air.</p> <div id="attachment_422703" style="width: 1210px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-422703" class="size-large wp-image-422703" src="https://new-grist-develop.go-vip.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/step-1.jpg?w=1200" alt="" width="1200" height="800" /><p id="caption-attachment-422703" class="wp-caption-text"><span class="credit">Jesse Nichols / Grist</span></p></div> <h3>2. Got a leak? <strong>You’re gonna need some more tools. </strong></h3> <p>Head to the garage or the nearest <a href="http://localtools.org/find/">tool library</a> and get <strong>an adjustable wrench </strong>or<strong> multitool</strong>, <strong>a patch kit</strong>, and some <strong>tire levers</strong>.</p> <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-422631 alignleft" src="https://new-grist-develop.go-vip.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/peter-avatar.png" alt="" width="75" height="75" srcset="https://new-grist-develop.go-vip.net/fix/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/05/peter-avatar.png?quality=75&strip=all 200w, https://new-grist-develop.go-vip.net/fix/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/05/peter-avatar.png?resize=150%2C150&quality=75&strip=all 150w, https://new-grist-develop.go-vip.net/fix/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/05/peter-avatar.png?resize=96%2C96&quality=75&strip=all 96w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 75px) 100vw, 75px" /><strong>PETER’S PRO TIP:</strong> Bring these with you in a tool kit when you ride, and add some emergency provisions — my go-to combo, you ask? Blueberry KIND bars*, gummy bears, and a spare $20.</p> <div id="attachment_422704" style="width: 1210px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-422704" class="size-large wp-image-422704" src="https://new-grist-develop.go-vip.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/step-2.jpg?w=1200" alt="" width="1200" height="800" /><p id="caption-attachment-422704" class="wp-caption-text"><span class="credit">Jesse Nichols / Grist</span></p></div> <h3><strong>3. Take the wheel off the bike.</strong></h3> <p>You’ll probably need to unhook your brake cable first — and you may need that wrench.</p> <p><strong><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignleft wp-image-422631" src="https://new-grist-develop.go-vip.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/peter-avatar.png" alt="" width="75" height="75" srcset="https://new-grist-develop.go-vip.net/fix/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/05/peter-avatar.png?quality=75&strip=all 200w, https://new-grist-develop.go-vip.net/fix/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/05/peter-avatar.png?resize=150%2C150&quality=75&strip=all 150w, https://new-grist-develop.go-vip.net/fix/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/05/peter-avatar.png?resize=96%2C96&quality=75&strip=all 96w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 75px) 100vw, 75px" />PETER’S PRO TIP: </strong>If the rear tire is flat, put the chain on the smallest ring before taking the wheel off. Otherwise, you’ll be in a world of hurt. Not that I would know!</p> <div id="attachment_422561" style="width: 1210px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-422561" class="size-large wp-image-422561" src="https://new-grist-develop.go-vip.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/step-3.jpg?w=1200" alt="" width="1200" height="800" srcset="https://new-grist-develop.go-vip.net/fix/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/05/step-3.jpg?quality=75&strip=all 6720w, https://new-grist-develop.go-vip.net/fix/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/05/step-3.jpg?resize=300%2C200&quality=75&strip=all 300w, https://new-grist-develop.go-vip.net/fix/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/05/step-3.jpg?resize=768%2C512&quality=75&strip=all 768w, https://new-grist-develop.go-vip.net/fix/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/05/step-3.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&quality=75&strip=all 1024w, https://new-grist-develop.go-vip.net/fix/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/05/step-3.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&quality=75&strip=all 1536w, https://new-grist-develop.go-vip.net/fix/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/05/step-3.jpg?resize=2048%2C1365&quality=75&strip=all 2048w, https://new-grist-develop.go-vip.net/fix/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/05/step-3.jpg?resize=150%2C100&quality=75&strip=all 150w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><p id="caption-attachment-422561" class="wp-caption-text"><span class="credit">Jesse Nichols / Grist</span></p></div> <h3><strong>4. Let any remaining pressure out of the tire.</strong></h3> <p>Just press the pin at the tip of the valve. You may need to remove a cap, or unscrew the valve tip, first.</p> <div id="attachment_422705" style="width: 1210px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-422705" class="size-large wp-image-422705" src="https://new-grist-develop.go-vip.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/step-4.jpg?w=1200" alt="" width="1200" height="800" /><p id="caption-attachment-422705" class="wp-caption-text"><span class="credit">Jesse Nichols / Grist</span></p></div> <h3><strong>5. Remove the tire from the rim.</strong></h3> <p>This is where those tire levers come in handy.</p> <div id="attachment_422560" style="width: 1210px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-422560" class="size-large wp-image-422560" src="https://new-grist-develop.go-vip.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/step-5.jpg?w=1200" alt="" width="1200" height="800" srcset="https://new-grist-develop.go-vip.net/fix/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/05/step-5.jpg?quality=75&strip=all 6720w, https://new-grist-develop.go-vip.net/fix/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/05/step-5.jpg?resize=300%2C200&quality=75&strip=all 300w, https://new-grist-develop.go-vip.net/fix/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/05/step-5.jpg?resize=768%2C512&quality=75&strip=all 768w, https://new-grist-develop.go-vip.net/fix/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/05/step-5.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&quality=75&strip=all 1024w, https://new-grist-develop.go-vip.net/fix/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/05/step-5.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&quality=75&strip=all 1536w, https://new-grist-develop.go-vip.net/fix/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/05/step-5.jpg?resize=2048%2C1365&quality=75&strip=all 2048w, https://new-grist-develop.go-vip.net/fix/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/05/step-5.jpg?resize=150%2C100&quality=75&strip=all 150w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><p id="caption-attachment-422560" class="wp-caption-text"><span class="credit">Jesse Nichols / Grist</span></p></div> <h3><strong>6. Remove the inner tube from inside the tire. </strong></h3> <p>The tube is what’s leaking, but check to be sure the sharp thing that popped the tube isn’t still lodged in the tire.</p> <div id="attachment_422712" style="width: 1210px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-422712" class="size-large wp-image-422712" src="https://new-grist-develop.go-vip.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/step-6.jpg?w=1200" alt="" width="1200" height="800" /><p id="caption-attachment-422712" class="wp-caption-text"><span class="credit">Jesse Nichols / Grist</span></p></div> <h3><strong>7. Locate the leak.</strong></h3> <p>Pump the tube full of air. If you don’t hear air hissing out, stick the tube in a sink full of water and look for the bubbles!</p> <div id="attachment_422710" style="width: 1210px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-422710" class="size-large wp-image-422710" src="https://new-grist-develop.go-vip.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/step-7.jpg?w=1200" alt="" width="1200" height="800" /><p id="caption-attachment-422710" class="wp-caption-text"><span class="credit">Jesse Nichols / Grist</span></p></div> <h3><strong>8. Patch that sucker!</strong></h3> <p>There are a couple of different types of patches — just follow the directions in the kit.</p> <p><strong><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-422631 alignleft" src="https://new-grist-develop.go-vip.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/peter-avatar.png" alt="" width="72" height="72" srcset="https://new-grist-develop.go-vip.net/fix/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/05/peter-avatar.png?quality=75&strip=all 200w, https://new-grist-develop.go-vip.net/fix/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/05/peter-avatar.png?resize=150%2C150&quality=75&strip=all 150w, https://new-grist-develop.go-vip.net/fix/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/05/peter-avatar.png?resize=96%2C96&quality=75&strip=all 96w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 72px) 100vw, 72px" />PETER’S PRO TIP:</strong> If your patches are the ones that require glue, you have to let the glue dry before you put the patch on. It’s strange, I know. But it’s the perfect time to eat that KIND bar you packed!</p> <div id="attachment_422559" style="width: 1210px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-422559" class="size-large wp-image-422559" src="https://new-grist-develop.go-vip.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/step-8.jpg?w=1200" alt="" width="1200" height="800" srcset="https://new-grist-develop.go-vip.net/fix/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/05/step-8.jpg?quality=75&strip=all 6720w, https://new-grist-develop.go-vip.net/fix/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/05/step-8.jpg?resize=300%2C200&quality=75&strip=all 300w, https://new-grist-develop.go-vip.net/fix/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/05/step-8.jpg?resize=768%2C512&quality=75&strip=all 768w, https://new-grist-develop.go-vip.net/fix/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/05/step-8.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&quality=75&strip=all 1024w, https://new-grist-develop.go-vip.net/fix/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/05/step-8.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&quality=75&strip=all 1536w, https://new-grist-develop.go-vip.net/fix/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/05/step-8.jpg?resize=2048%2C1365&quality=75&strip=all 2048w, https://new-grist-develop.go-vip.net/fix/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/05/step-8.jpg?resize=150%2C100&quality=75&strip=all 150w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><p id="caption-attachment-422559" class="wp-caption-text"><span class="credit">Jesse Nichols / Grist</span></p></div> <h3><strong>9. Reverse steps 3-6!</strong></h3> <p>The tire levers will help get the tire back on the rim. Careful not to pinch the tube between the two.</p> <p><strong><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-422631 alignleft" src="https://new-grist-develop.go-vip.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/peter-avatar.png" alt="" width="72" height="72" srcset="https://new-grist-develop.go-vip.net/fix/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/05/peter-avatar.png?quality=75&strip=all 200w, https://new-grist-develop.go-vip.net/fix/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/05/peter-avatar.png?resize=150%2C150&quality=75&strip=all 150w, https://new-grist-develop.go-vip.net/fix/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/05/peter-avatar.png?resize=96%2C96&quality=75&strip=all 96w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 72px) 100vw, 72px" />PETER’S PRO TIP:</strong> Put some air into the inner tube before you put it back into the tire — that’ll help keep it from being pinched between the tire and the rim. Plus, you can hula hoop with it!</p> <div id="attachment_422707" style="width: 1210px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-422707" class="size-large wp-image-422707" src="https://new-grist-develop.go-vip.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/step-9.jpg?w=1200" alt="" width="1200" height="800" /><p id="caption-attachment-422707" class="wp-caption-text"><span class="credit">Jesse Nichols / Grist</span></p></div> <h3><strong>10. Ride off into the sunset </strong></h3> <p>If all goes according to plan, you should be smug and proud and pleased with your supremely competent self. Just pulease, put the tools away first!</p> <div id="attachment_422706" style="width: 1210px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-422706" class="size-large wp-image-422706" src="https://new-grist-develop.go-vip.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/step-10-e1558473495837.jpg?w=1200" alt="" width="1200" height="800" srcset="https://new-grist-develop.go-vip.net/fix/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/05/step-10-e1558473495837.jpg?quality=75&strip=all 5594w, https://new-grist-develop.go-vip.net/fix/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/05/step-10-e1558473495837.jpg?resize=300%2C200&quality=75&strip=all 300w, https://new-grist-develop.go-vip.net/fix/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/05/step-10-e1558473495837.jpg?resize=768%2C512&quality=75&strip=all 768w, https://new-grist-develop.go-vip.net/fix/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/05/step-10-e1558473495837.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&quality=75&strip=all 1024w, https://new-grist-develop.go-vip.net/fix/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/05/step-10-e1558473495837.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&quality=75&strip=all 1536w, https://new-grist-develop.go-vip.net/fix/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/05/step-10-e1558473495837.jpg?resize=2048%2C1365&quality=75&strip=all 2048w, https://new-grist-develop.go-vip.net/fix/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/05/step-10-e1558473495837.jpg?resize=150%2C100&quality=75&strip=all 150w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /><p id="caption-attachment-422706" class="wp-caption-text"><span class="credit">Jesse Nichols / Grist</span></p></div> <p>Still confused? The interwebs are full of how-to videos, including <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGdu4fkrQ9M">this one starring a guy with a really fantastic accent</a>. If all else fails, swallow your pride and ask for help. Many bike shops and clubs have workshops for beginners. Just remember, you don’t have to fix it alone.</p> <p>*<em>Editor’s note: Grist is not sponsored by KIND Bars… Yet. If you read this, KINDlings, KINDadians, or whoever you are, please email. (And send over a few almond & coconut bars while you’re at it.)</em></p> <p>This article originally appeared in <a href="https://grist.org/">Grist</a> at <a href="https://new-grist-develop.go-vip.net/fix/article/its-national-bike-month-dont-let-a-flat-tire-deflate-your-spirits/">https://new-grist-develop.go-vip.net/fix/article/its-national-bike-month-dont-let-a-flat-tire-deflate-your-spirits/</a>.</p> <link href="https://new-grist-develop.go-vip.net/fix/article/its-national-bike-month-dont-let-a-flat-tire-deflate-your-spirits/" rel="canonical"/> <p>Grist is a nonprofit, independent media organization dedicated to telling stories of climate solutions and a just future. Learn more at <a href="https://grist.org/">Grist.org</a></p> <script id="grist-syndication-pixel" async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id=" data-source="repub" data-canonical="https://new-grist-develop.go-vip.net/fix/article/its-national-bike-month-dont-let-a-flat-tire-deflate-your-spirits/" data-title="Bike got a flat? You can fix that" crossorigin="anonymous"/>