How To Fix A Flat Tyre - Fix A Road Bike Puncture

Our guide to fixing a flat bicycle tire on the roadside.
Subscribe to GCN for more tips: gcn.eu/SubscribeToGCN
Getting a puncture is part of cycling. In this video we show you how to fix a road bike tyre. If you're on a mountain bike the technique is exactly the same!
The simplest way to fix a flat tyre is to replace your inner tube. This is the technique that Daniel uses in the video. If you're after more mechanical How Tos, we've got you covered - take a look at our playlist: gcn.eu/maintmon
About GCN:
The Global Cycling Network puts you in the centre of the action: from the iconic summit of the Stelvio to the epic trails of Fort William, Scotland, everywhere there is pavé or dirt, world-class racing, and pro riders, we will be there bringing you all the action, essential analysis and unparalleled access every week, every month, and every year.
Welcome to the Global Cycling Network | Inside cycling
KZbin Channel - gcn.eu/gcnYT
Facebook - gcn.eu/gcnFb
Google+ - gcn.eu/gcnGPlus
Twitter - gcn.eu/gcnTW
Leave us a comment below!
Music licensed by Cue Songs

[@derjemand1021]

Watching this on the road rn. This is my first puncture that I am fixing myself during the ride

[@jpb10]

They seem to have waited for one of them to actually get a flat before putting out this tutorial, authentic ;)

[@ummushukri6359]

6 years later and I still gave it a like.

[@alienstoner4206]

@@ummushukri6359 5 months later and I still like

[@hyp3597]

@@alienstoner4206 5 months later and I still gave it a like

[@regunationsregunations6662]

@@hyp3597 5 months later and I still give it a like

[@angelo4520]

7 years later and i still give it a like

[@ZombieSC]

I have had many flats over the years. The one pro tip I can give is: after you take out the "flat" inner tube, be mindful of which way the tube was installed and then try to inflate it so it has some decent pressure. You might determine where the puncture was just by the hiss of escaping air. I normally turn the tube around with it close to my lips to feel where the air is coming out. Make sure you go all the way around the tube, and don't just assume you only have one puncture! I can't stress this enough. Once you know where the punctures are, you can compare the location in the tube to the tire by where the valve stem is. Investigate those areas on the tire completely and remove any debris, nails, glass, staples, wire, etc that caused the flat. Carefully feel around the inside of the tire and look for any other foreign material in there and remove it and don't forget to inspect the outside of the tire too. Then patch the tube if it's only a small puncture or replace the tube completely if it has more than 2 patches or punctures. The reason why I like to check the tube for punctures is I hate cutting my finger open on sharp glass, or poke myself with wire or nails. Also, you may miss a second puncture location when feeling around the tire if the debris only lightly penetrated. As soon as you reinflate and ride off, the pressure of your weight could cause the debris to poke through again causing another flat. And I always recommend patching a tube first. Patch kits are fast, cheap, and reliable enough these days. Keep your spare tube only as a last resort, or where patching is impractical. I hope this was useful, and drive safe everyone!

[@IronFreee]

GrognardOfXCOM Another good way to find holes at home is to run the tube under water in a basin and look for bubbles.

[@ZombieSC]

IronFreee This video was intended for roadside flats, not at home. However, if you have a large enough water source nearby (such as a creek, river or lake) submerging the tube is definitely an option. I've used a drainage ditch for this already and it does help to find the leak fast. Patching a wet tube isn't practical when it's cold or wet out unless you can thoroughly dry the tube off. ;)

[@rosavelazquez1452]

GrognardOfXCOM that’s a very long comment .

[@mustaphab.1190]

Rosa Velázquez that's dedication and passion for whatever you do. Hats off mate for sharing your experiences.

[@davidlundmark9359]

GrognardOfXCOM But if it was a pinch puncture I don't need to do these steps right?

[@burgels]

Just had my first flat the other day near the end of a 48 mile ride. Glad I watched this video first. I did everything the way they recommended and was back on my bike in no time flat (pun intended)

[@prestonrish5299]

love the pun!

[@orginalryplayz8686]

I got one last week at mile 20, walked 15 miles home with the bike.

[@thebikehut6603]

Not likely (or fun) with a small hand pump, but when using a floor pump, it helps if you pump the new tube (inside the tire/tyre) up halfway and then deflate it before pumping to full pressure. This allows the tube to even itself out lengthwise and will pull itself out from under the bead if it caught.

[@michaelschultz5506]

Best video on youtube! You make me realise how quick and simple it can be when you're half way from work with a puncture praying to God for help. Thanks a lot!

[@MagliaNera]

4:11 "How to pump like a Pro"

[@mtb_sneakerz2183]

The part about feeling the inside of the tyre just saved me from another future flat tyre!

[@wootle]

Thanks very much, i have just got into cycling here in the Philippines and I was clueless about all this. Thanks to your videos I now carry spare tubes, patch kits and repair tools. I'm still worried about messing something up on the complex mechanical on the back wheel if I have to pop it off! great work!!

[@eugenestan2188]

Thank you, I just glued my punctured tire for the first time! Your vid saved me at the end, as it took a while for me to get the chain back on the mechanism.

[@supersmartguy]

Great video. Showing detailed step by step instructions with easy-to-understand explanation.

[@AnythingWithSieghart]

Now I'm gonna remove the tube inside my bike again, since it's going up and down, the tube was not properly placed, I thought my rims and spokes was misaligned somehow, but it's not. Thank you GCN!

[@weetobix]

Thanks for this video! I had a puncture on the way home last night which I fixed in 5 minutes, but then spent the best part of an hour trying to balance the tyre to no avail. Watched this video when I got home then fixed it properly in 5 mins :)

[@craiggoad2509]

I must say thanks to this gcn maintenance video i was able to kom my flat repair! i had alot of practice today with two flats within 5 miles!

[@aeneas116116]

Thanks for all of y'all videos, I never knew about the canter lever on the breaks.

[@PomBare]

Got my first flat today (back wheel, argh), I memorised this and the other GCN puncture vids. Went through every step and completed the task, however my new inner tube got a puncture almost instantly... I forgot the first rule you taught - check for a thorn in the tyre. Post-mortem revealed it was indeed a rather large thorn.

[@johnbaker6894]

As I stated above, most frequently the tire needs repair; you must fix the hole in the tire to prevent the tire from simply pushing back through the hole, thereby rupturing itself, when properly inflated. Tire change videos that don't stress this step are simply balderdash.

[@gregd6022]

WICKED vid!! really great details that made things a lot easier with this kind of tire (road bike) vs the regular bikes (that we all know). THANK YOU MAN!

[@eds3585]

had my first flat today. This helped a bunch! thanks

[@stevencraig1582]

GCN videos, always interesting, informative, and usually funny! Thank you guys. I always look forward to your next video.

[@gcn]

Thanks Steven Craig!

[@johnrafael4110]

oh my god thankyou dan! you made this look so much easier than all of the other videos on youtube.

[@the0siren0of0night]

I like this, will deffo watch a few times in future to make sure I would know when out and about...

[@rebeccamclaughlin6951]

Thanks so much for this! Very clear and helpful!

[@jerrygundecker743]

I was three minutes off campus when I found that thorn you spoke of and was so glad I'd seen this video. Thanks.

[@AndyPass1976]

Thanks. I came off my bike for the first time a couple of weeks ago and enjoyed my first flat around Lake Burley Griffin today. I should've been more prepared as I had to walk > 5k's back to get home. Will be better prepared once I fix the flat! :-)

[@georgegilles9008]

Awesome instructions. Pretty straight forward.

[@havoc0876]

my tires held up for 3 years, and had my first flat today.. and thanks to your videos i was able to change it quickly and get back on the road.

[@snap_drama346]

3 years wow, what tyres did u have, I got 5 months out of time but there anti punchure ones so it should of lasted way longer

Like a boss ! I got my first road bike puncture after 2000 km of riding, gonna try to fix it.

[@handsomejack7932]

Short and to the point. Perfect.

[@sciolo2749]

It's really important to make sure that the tube is seated inside the tyre properly as described in the video. I got to about 80 psi and the tube exploded in my face.

[@Yellow123Cy]

Your bike is a beauty!

[@stevenmontovani1638]

Thank you for posting this. I just fixed a flat with this helpful video

[@jonathanmartens]

Nice and clear video! One addition though: I once learned a trick in my bike repair shop. Most, if not all, tires can be put back on the rim w/o the use of levers. If you pinch the tire at the opposite side of the part that still has to be put back on the rim, so it sits in the deepest part of the rim, you should be able to get the remainder on the rim w/o using force and with your bare hands.

[@MuthuKumar-qi2um]

that's a great tip!

[@larry7763]

watched this clip last night only to have a puncture on my ride this morning . Suffice to say i was able to sort this out and continued the ride. thank you

[@davesturdy]

Another very helpful vid for a beginner. Thanks!

[@sblyth8090]

Thanks for the video. I would glad to watch if you make this video of tubular tire version.

[@nirvanafatal]

thanks ! You make it look easy. I hope I can do it.

[@JonathanCR11]

Great explanation! Very helpful.

[@josephtime90]

Perfect explanation perfect execution perfect video thanks for the help

[@AdrianR4]

This video answered my question, therefore I gave it a like 👍🏼

[@MrChrisGuitarVid]

I had a flat for the first time this morning. This video saved my ass! Thank you!

[@SuperNache]

Good timing. Just had a flat and my spare was torn up as well. Too long in storage. Thanks for the tip

[@alexfirth]

Cheers lads, simple tutorial but useful for a beginner like myself!

[@gcn]

Thanks Alex Firth

[@Kenny02120]

very well explained, thank you

[@SBigDrop]

A good tip is to look at the old tube to see where it has been punctured, and then you can get a good idea where to look on the tyre in case of glass etc.

[@rodrickcrestwell2997]

Great video simple but very informative

[@alih15]

Really really useful video, cheers!

[@julianzhuang9552]

You help me a lot. Thanks!

[@alansanders5553]

Thanks Great video, you’ve helped me change my bike tire 😅

[@apriswajaya]

i would say another important step before pumping it all the way is to push the nozzle into the tire so that the tube doesnt protrude when fully inflated. i learned this the hard way...

[@Wiseace]

This helped me out of a jam last night great video

[@lauriecremore5601]

Great information, thanks.

[@rodsilva8782]

Very nice sir!!! Well done 👍🏻

[@andrewmcrae4611]

Helpful video as always. I'm told that not keeping/using the dust cap falls into Matt's unwritten rules, but I also get a nut on the thread of the valve of the inner tubes that I buy. It seems like this should go on the outside of the rim, but not really sure?

[@carnelujai]

My back tire held up for 10 years I finally got a flat last Saturday. I was going to take it to the shop to get it changed but watching this video I see it is not hard to change the tire, I already got the tube out need to buy a new one.

[@armandomorales7842]

What brand of tire did you use

[@jeanclouivil7893]

Great video Sir!

[@Daniel.Mamede]

Thank you! Got my first flat yesterday, but luckily was able to get back home. Today (at home) I calmly replaced the flat tire with a new inner tube after I watched this video.

[@paul-pq8ci]

When replacing the tyre leave the bead at the valve stem till last as this will avoid the tube being pinched push valve stem in but not all the way through so that you can reseat the bead without pinching tube at stem fixing.

[@janewyke2804]

Great video and some good tips on there

[@seanreillyireland]

Thank you! I'd forgotten!

[@ece421]

Thank you!

[@gurukeabba]

thanks, was helpful

[@rzashida]

Thanks a million, I plan on revamping a bike.

[@dennisdownes9319]

Great video! DD

[@NangaiEsther-nt4cb]

Good job

[@PivotFirearms]

Great content. If only I had a quick release mechanism!🤣

[@cristinac9604]

Sweet. Thanks a ton

[@christinajones2155]

Ty!

[@jonathanlennon1136]

Great vi's mate

[@sabuein]

Thank you.

[@hsinghshergill1660]

Champion ,thanks

[@aplestormy]

Porlock! Love it round there! :)

[@money182]

I've been changing innertubes for years and there forever exploding on me, thanks for the help!

[@mrobvious1100]

Mark your tire on the side right above the valve stem before you take your commute. That will give you the orientation between where the air is leaking out of the tube and the corresponding place on the tire.

[@mottohorn]

came for the content, stayed for the Garmin auto-restart sound! haha

[@anastasias.3289]

Love how he just removes the wheel without really explaining what’s going on 🙃

[@CassieDePecol]

Thank you!!!

[@hammervonjammer1279]

Good video. Flats and crashes. Keep riding.

[@jonathanhissen1098]

What pump are you using to pump the tire up, can you mention it.

[@iaincampbell5453]

Well done Mr Loyd, you can clip in on camera!

[@guillermososa5841]

Thanks for the video, it helped a lot!!!(:

[@gcn]

Great to hear!

[@jacob6769]

Can you guys do a video on changing handlebar grip and putting the caps back on! That would be fantastic!

[@gcn]

Jacob Rempel bar tape video right here: How To Change Bar Tape - Wrap Your Bars Like A Pro

[@geepcj2a]

Thanks!. Now off the fix the daughters rear tire.

[@douglasjohnmason55]

Love your videos, lots of good tips for a 59 year old hobby cyclist. I have taken part in Nordsjøritt in Norway twice (2013 & 2014) and plan to do so again this year and am always on the look out for a good small pump to have with me on training runs and in the nordsjøritt. I see you have a BikeHut Travelling Track Bike Pump in the video and was wondering if you recommend it?

[@gcn]

Yeah that's a pretty good pump but there are quite a few that do the job well these days. Glad you've been enjoying your riding Douglas.

[@zarajones6487]

Thanks

[@JustAnotherDayToday]

Great vid from Dan. Question: how many spares is recommended to bring on a ride? I presume at minimum 1 but have heard others say 2. Where would one store the 2nd one?

[@leedorney]

Had Mr Lloyd left some article on the ground at 5.13 If you've a tight (big) rim then use Continentals as they're slightly bigger in diameter than vittorias and it can be easier to remove. Bontrager levers are good as they're wider than the type used ?

[@philhouck3560]

Finding trash in your tire can be made simpler with a piece of lady's hosiery because, as we all know, hosiery catches on everything. I also carry a needle nose plier when the trash is too small to be pulled out with fingers. Just before completing the mount of the second bead, pinch the mounted part of the tire so the beads are at the bottom of the rim well. This provides two advantages: 1) The last part of the bead is easier to mount, and; 2) Because the beads have forced the air in the tube to be concentrated in the part of the tube where the tire isn't completely mounted yet, the tube will be forced into the upper reaches of the tire thereby almost completely eliminating the possibility of pinching the tube.

[@markreed7278]

You just hit 900k!

[@JudasPriestLiam]

Wow that's actually very simple. Before watching this video I'd be completely stumped by a flat tyre. Cheers GCN!

[@bludog4657]

Nice Cervelo. Is that your favorite brand? I bought an S2 this past December, it's definitely a Rocket.

[@paullock6650]

Is the the Toll Road at Porlock? Good tips BTW.

[@yihanglow2721]

hi GCN im a fan of yours,i have a problem that what should i do if my handlebar is loosen and i dont have my tool with me in the middle of nowhere.Pls help me,its been troubling me for a long time.

[@throbadelica]

Danke

[@deanoturn1985]

Great vid dan. I watch all of your videos and while I'm well versed in fixing flats I always get something out of gcn videos. On another not how do you find the conti force/attack Tyres? Any good?

[@gcn]

We're all big fans of Conti tyres and most of us in the office use some variation of them. I can't speak for Daniel Lloyd about how he finds these specific ones though :-)

[@sovasbmx2515]

Man U are awesome

[@jat918mrt]

Hi Had my first flat today caused by a pot-hole, I got the tube replaced and back in and then made it back home. Looking at the tyre when I got home the tyre does not seem to be sitting central in the rim, the tyre middle line is moving between the left and right side of the wheel. Is there an easy way to centralize the tyre on the rim?

[@jffydavy5509]

A basic flat tire lesson that is fundamentally correct. Conveniently correct? No. There is one more thing you should have with your tire tools, tube and pump. A pair of 'surgical' style disposable rubber gloves. Few of us mortals have wheels, derailleurs and chains that are clean. The gloves take up virtually no space and will let you continue your ride without greasy grime coating your palms, thumbs, fingers, handlebar tape, and cycling shorts.

[@elmianelnieuwoudt100]

Watching this video and at the end I haven't even managed to get my Tyre level in to start taking the Tyre off🙈 is there a trick to that or do I need to start training different muscles to get this right??

[@paulk6216]

Before inflating the inner tube, should I put something inside the tire to cover the hole and protect the inner tube? Folded dollar bill? Piece of duct tape? Thanks!

[@andar_k1194]

I still couldn't fix my own flat after watching this video. Maybe I am just weak sauce.