How To Change A Bike Tyre

Find out how to change a bike tire!
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Changing a bike tyre is one of the things that all cyclists should know how to do. It's certainly a job that warrants learning.
Depending on your wheel, you may need a 15mm wrench to remove it. Once you've done this, you can move on to the tyre itself. Start by using one or two tyre levers, if the tyre is really tight, though, you may need to use a third one. As well as the tyre levers, you'll also need a pump, the tyre that you're changing too, and possibly a new inner tube.
Are there any other mechanical jobs that you're struggling with? Let us know down in the comments and we'll see what we can do!
Watch more on GCN:
How to remove your rear wheel: gcn.eu/1HYOFqS
How to replace a chain: gcn.eu/1kmqSsd
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Music
Erwin Steijlen - Super Sunny Day (Instrumental)
Pause - Put Me In The Game (Instrumental)
Photos: © Bettiniphoto / www.bettiniphoto.net/ & ©Tim De Waele / www.tdwsport.com
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Leave us a comment below!
Music - licensed by Cue Songs

[@JudasPriestLiam]

I love GCN. They're never condescending when showing how to do basic tasks.

[@witsbro9168]

This guy’s great.

[@charithdevappriya4802]

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[@agsadfas]

@@charithdevappriya4802 stfu

[@srinjandas4287]

@@witsbro9168 Simon richardson

[@RH-vd3yu]

@@oskarg8219 dont be stupid

[@Nefus1988]

This guy makes it seem so easy, for me removing my winter tyres and putting back the old summer tyres took me literally hours

[@tomar3]

I cannot stress the importance of the step at 1:55 where he pushes the beads of the tyre into the centre of the rim. By doing this you give yourself at least an extra cm of play which is game changing. I learnt the importance of this whilst pissing about with 1970s pedal and pop mopeds which are notoriously impossible to fit the tyres on without wrapping the wheels in tape to force the beads together allowing you to position them in the deepest part of the rim during fitment

[@xl000]

Same here. I always allocate 2 + hours to change both tires.

[@CABJ9776]

Excellent tutorial. Just got me a 12-speed, and I haven't worked on a bike in over 20 years. Your instructions were very clear, simple, and direct. After watching your video, I had no problem changing the tires and innertubes. Thanks.!!!

[@pieface721]

Ll)

[@pieface721]

Ll)

[@brunokabbaz5779]

All that time and I finally discovered what those hooks on tyre levers are made for! Thanks Si!

[@meirionnelson9697]

Excellent, thank you Si... needed this video today as went for a long solo ride in West Wales... weather was against me and then got a puncture 30 miles away from my car. Never replaced an inner tube and this video was spot on!! Thank you!!

[@neiljarman3858]

Thank you GCN. I have tried and failed so many times before to change the inner tube and rate myself mechanically-incompetent. Somehow with this video everything just clicked and I've just changed my first ever inner tube!

[@user-rh9ji4es3x]

This video is simply amazing. I can now confidently change my tires with ease! Thank you, GCN!

[@timmoore4114]

I am no mechanic! Followed the instructions as a first-timer - excellent! I did exactly as described and it was effortless. Many thanks.

[@AndyYounie]

Thanks for a great guide - I changed both of my tyres after watching it. No problems at all!

[@AlexKaragiorgis]

Excellent! I never changed a tube/tire before but following these instructions I found it easy! Took me a while but did it successfully! Thanks!

[@brentstutzman]

Life saving help! Change my first tire and Tube for my daughter's new bike after it went flat. Save the Day!

[@Cleisthenes2]

As other viewers seem to agree, it's getting them on that's the hard thing...

[@SamLopez11]

Wow, thanks so much, this is much better than some of the other tyre changing videos out there. Appreciate the details and tips along the way.

[@timpeterson3131]

Well done video, much the same way I've learned by trial and error how to change a tire (tyre) myself. One thing I do that may seem obsessive, but has come in useful is to line the main lettering of the tire up with the valve hole. This not only looks pro, but aids in finding the valve when it's dark and I have to change a tube on the side of the road.

[@bettersubsph]

Excellent tip! Thanks for this. 🙂

[@dutchydutchness5189]

How refreshing to watch a tutorial by someone who doesn't waffle on endlessly! 💖

[@reybarreto7979]

By far the best tutorial I've seen on changing a tire. Thank you!

[@andysumpton1695]

This helped a lot - I have been riding for a couple of years now, but have not changed a tyre before. Top advise, thank you.

[@TheJask101]

Excellent video thank god gcn realise that some of us are new to this game and take us through crystal clear !! Thank you all at GCN

[@wilsonq516]

Thank you Thank you. I know little about changing a bike tyre but with your video I did it! But I had to go out and get that plastic tool(s) from a reliable on line source. Very low cost for the parts. and worked like a charm.

[@fopetrou]

That looks helpful, I already punctured 2 new inner tubes as my tire is too tight but I'll try your technique and see what happens, thanks for sharing

[@Liverpool_YNWA_editz]

Thanks for the tips - hadn't changed a wheel in years and was having trouble getting started. Watched this video and had it done in no time. Excellent explanation!

[@gcn]

Awesome, nice one Grant!

[@BoonBreyne]

GCN really gives me the clearest videos on how to do bicycle stuff!

[@kenfoster2647]

Great reminder. Haven't done this for several decades and wanted a good refresher before I took on my sons bike. :-)

[@moony2703]

Really useful beginner/refresher videos, thanks for the super useful and clear advice!

[@alexien2716]

Thanks for posting a very helpful and informative tutorial!

[@charliemacreviews]

Great great video easy to follow - had a new ebike and reallllly didn’t wanna mess it up, accidentally over inflation and this was a great guide

[@patschakd2930]

such a big help for my first time doing anything like this :) Thanks !!!

[@mekongvelo4592]

When changing a rear tyre or tube always work on the non cassette side of the wheel.

[@peter_castle]

Could you explain why, please?

[@EszterFilo]

Thank you Guys you saved my life today ❤ I got puncture and I was able to change to tire first time 🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@janathanjeyaratnam4341]

Very helpful. Just tried . It worked ! Cheers

[@ethansandstedt1551]

Today, I learned what that little notch in my tire levers is for. Very useful information!

[@isabelnunes8575]

So helpful, I managed to put some new wider cyclocross tyres on, and just about managed!

[@jayernster5627]

Global Cycling Network.....just one more reason to LOVE cycling! One of the best sites on KZbin. Love these men and women...

[@slipknot73745]

Thanks Si. First flat ever on my new road bike. This made it easy!

[@imranbecks]

Pretty straightforward. The only bit that I find tricky when doing this myself is fixing the rear wheel back in place. The chain and cassette makes it tricky.

[@javacertificatezerotohero14]

Thanks a lot. Very professional and good explanation... bravo

[@lou1540]

The best video... very well done! Thx for your time.

[@prewdles]

Super useful, clear video. Thank you.

[@HikingFeral]

Thanks for this it was really helpful. I'm. Swapping generic hybrid tyres to something a bit more canal towpathy

[@notexactlyrocketscience]

thanks, worked. my dad used to break spoons doing this when we were little; an ordeal for a whole afternoon. thanks to gcn, i just did it in 30 minutes for both wheels.

[@Breatenheathen]

Great video! To the point and easy to watch.

[@jms493]

I popped my new inner tube while i was pumping it up as I’m tire wasnt fully seated and it escaped out. Then i watched this video. Missed a ride this morning. Going to go buy 3 tubes today. Damn it. Thanks for the video

[@stevencampbell1150]

It's one thing I always struggle with on my gravel bike and the hybrid before it. The mountain bike was easy for some reason and more so when I put the folding tyres on it as they were really easy to put on but the narrower the tyre the harder I find it is to do it.

[@campbellgildersleeve5243]

I just realized how close christmas is! You might not agree, but I love school way more now that I'm in high school, so time flies faster. Thanks for that, refreshened, I'll be way to excited to get pissed off if I pinch a tire!!!

[@TimZarra]

getting the last bit on was over simplified, I tried and tried until my tire lever broke

[@Albanez39]

I have tried and tried, until my rim got bent....This has happened with every rim I have ever owned...

[@animacs1]

same here.

[@nathsta1]

I have never ever had a tyre go on that easy.

[@kathleenmgs]

I had to let the air back out of the tube to fit the tire back over the rim, and I did have to use levers.

[@aLatios]

Just did it and it went on very easily. I recommend getting the right sized tire next time.

[@joerivde]

Very informative, thanks!

[@brownjish]

I managed to change the tyre on my bike today thanks to this video!

[@bookread4919]

Good video mate. Job done. Explain clearly no waffle.

[@faintxskills7330]

Thank you Simon for your non condescending basics video

[@JUPITER11119]

Bikes aside... You are exceedingly professional and charismatic. Your kind of talent belongs on a major TV network.

[@bojankup]

Thank you for this great tutorial!

[@jajab00r]

Probably the most i have learnt in a 5 min video. I wish you guys made videos for everything else - tax filing, raising children, restoring lawns :-D

[@conniecostner9665]

Lol. I know right

[@rogerhinchcliffe6363]

Good video. Just changed my tyres for the first time

[@misskate3815]

Thanks! I just changed my own tires for the first time and it went perfectly.

[@TheSocketshock]

finally got it to work.. sorry about the rant

[@AndronicasLion]

I'm planning to overhaul my road bike over Christmas. Could you do a video (or compilation) o everything from brakes and cables to BB and chainrings?

[@hans1386]

lovely , thank you for clear demo

[@cfitz17]

great video thanks! helped a lot

[@tooka2]

You could include the info that often tires have the company logo only in the right side of the tire, and this helps to see which way the tire goes! Also, centering the logo around your valve allows you to keep track of your tire pressure - if the tire pressure drops the tire will loosen and you might see the center of the logo moving away from the original spot around the valve!

[@rogger55]

uh nice tip dude

[@AJIuK1]

i have a question: my bike's wheel size is 27, but i just found out that inner tube's size is 28. is that normal? because if i apply inner tube only, there is excessive length of that.

[@martincollection3376]

This is definitely professional and love it…

[@Nihao_Gaming]

This video is 8 years ago and the graphic still good,like How?😂❤

[@lfcl468]

thank you for the tips

[@Benno828282]

Thanks! All done

[@mrovantes]

This just saved me. Thank you!

[@gcn]

Glad it helped!

[@DeathRattlingWhore]

Thanks a fuckin bunch for this video! It's not that it changed my life but I've been struggling with changing tires all my life and since I've bought a fancy pants bike a year ago and started watching your channel I've become really good at it! You've helped me tons😀🤩😀😍

[@paulbarrett5121]

Ok....watched this as haven’t changed a tyre before. Kind of knew the principle and this was very useful. I haven’t read all the comments but....I had problems seating the bead of the tyre.....I caused this because when I put the inner tube in, I used the valve locking nut which gave no give in where the inner tube was located in the rim. I tried a couple of times, but then removed the nut, and had sufficient flexibility in the inner tube to allow the tyre to seat correctly. Put the locking nut on once the tyre was pumped up to pressure.

[@JoelWyncott]

This was great! I just got my first bike, and am totally new to all of this sort of maintenance, so these videos will be super helpful. Thanks! You’ve gained a subscriber.

[@hannahjane3357]

This was really helpful

[@cathoderay7202]

Don't use tyre levers to get the tyre back on! 5:34 go back to the valve side, pinch the tyre walls together and rock the tyre back and forth to bed it fully into the rim. This frees up the tyre on the opposite side of the rim. Then use your thumbs. This channel is awesome but if you had a qaulified mechanic to do the maintenance videos it would be a lot better. WD40?

[@avibank]

+Cathode Ray WD40 works.

[@MagliaNera]

+Cathode Ray careful. Simon uses WD40 only as a degreaser and a deodorant. and it works.

[@Ewan.f15]

+Cathode Ray I think a qualified mechanic on the scene would ruin the effect of having Si or the like doing it as they do add alot to this channel. Unless of course the mechanic was Dougie Fresh.

[@Smokabis]

+Cathode Ray The whole point of GCN's "how to" videos is to show you how to "do it yourself" (unqualified). If you want the job done like a "qualified mechanic", then take it to one. Qualified mechanics get paid to do this, so who pays the mechanic to come to GCN and show you for free? Anyone should be able to change tyre and tube without the advise of a "qualified mechanic". Pretty basic stuff.

[@mohammedf.alqahtani7902]

very informative thank you GCN

[@gcn]

You're welcome Mohammed

[@SnailAlongRS]

Awesome video guys! :D

[@andrewwells581]

Very helpful thank you.

[@deogratias273]

Great channel. Some tips on how to avoid high and low points would be good.

[@sarac9812]

Wohoo I did it! Thanks!!

[@jconti13]

Putting the bead in the center of the rim to get the second on easier was a life saver!

[@SuperStormdog]

Thanks helped a lot

[@chriskelly1113]

Really good video thank you.

[@danoedalo]

Very general description on how the thing is done, value is close to a nought. I tried to put my Schwalbe Winter tires after watching this, concluding that I got all I needed to get the job done. Big mistake that cost me a wasted evening and 1st deegree burns all over my fingers.

[@MyDemon32]

How dafuq did you managed to fuck it up????

[@bluedeskfan2754]

Thanks. Helpful

[@JJ-bo4ir]

thanks GCN

[@thecattery]

Thanks I found very handy

[@jake-san]

Its nice that the part with the putting back bit was skipped just by saying the tyre levers shouldn't be needed usually. Im here sitting next to one that is like few millimeters short and no levers to use, looking at videos for tips 😀

[@redblade8160]

I remember years ago I needed a tyre lever to prise the tyre off/on because it was so tight, but now I can do that job without the use of a tool.

[@joeldawson4159]

Can't wait for The GCN Show!!!! :)

[@AlasdairSun]

Remember to centre the tire logo above the valve stem!!

[@hermantenkate8452]

+Alasdair Sun Was just about to say that! #protip

[@TheCatAteMyShoe]

+Alasdair Sun Why do that?

[@hermantenkate8452]

+TheCatAteMyShoe Originally mechanics did it to find the valve more easily. And it just looks pro.

[@D.Eldon_]

+Alasdair Sun Sorry but that's not the best advice. The best is this: Center the max pressure rating of the tire over the valve stem. It is often difficult to find and placing it by the stem makes it easy. That's what many intelligent mechanics do. ;-D

[@Theb0red317]

+TheCatAteMyShoe you become faster when you do that. kind of like how racing stripes gives your car an extra 5 horse power

[@michaelsmith650]

Boom - nailed it. Thanks.

[@dodgepangburn]

Thanks!

[@Dan_345]

Cheers mate!

[@benrothschild248]

What are your recommendations (or past video) for cleaning carbon wheels versus alloy? Particularly using degreaser on the cassette and how that reacts with the carbon. Thanks!

[@RixterNow]

Si likes to spray degreeser and lube everywhere. Check out how to Winterize Like. Pro ;-)

[@markhancock7527]

can you do a video on fitting a conti gatorskin hardshell tyre onto a deep section rim like a giant sl wheel,and more importantly getting the tyre off,there seems to be a bit of a problem going on with these tyre and wheel combo's.

[@diabloskiller]

Literally saved my life! Thanks a lot for video!

[@spaceair1]

thx i done my first time today! Zaphiro pro to grandprix 5000. Thx it is easy done!

[@karunabro6061]

thanks alot your great buddy!

[@nicholasfitzgerald1999]

Hey GCN, thanks for the great video, quick question: Is there a wear in period for new tyres, or do you have to ideally do a certain amount of kms like new car tyres?

[@Ochirip]

Very nice. Thank you :)

[@AbdullahAli-hv5ym]

hi thanks for that is it the same way of get the wheel off if you got disc brakes

[@nunyabizness297]

Thank you.

[@rickdeckard9810]

Unbelievably easy… when you know how! Thanks

[@smasherocho]

What do you do if your front wheel catches on the brake pads even when you've pulled the quick release lever that's supposed to move the pads apart? They're not contacting the rim when in their normal riding position but it's very difficult to get the wheel off due to it catching on the brakes.