How to Fix a Flat Bike Tire - REI Co-op Classes

Getting a flat tire is an inevitable part of cycling, no matter what type of riding you do. Follow along as Kat walks you through the steps to fix a flat and change your bike tire, including details on changing both the front and rear tires.
The topics covered in this class are:
How to Remove the Wheel from the Frame: 1:03
How to Remove the Tire from the Rim: 6:45
How to Find the Cause of the Flat: 8:30
Whether to Patch or Replace the Tube: 12:23
How to Replace the Tube and the Tire: 13:30
How to Reinstall the Wheel: 18:39
To learn how to patch a punctured inner tube, watch our video: • How to Patch a Bike Tu...
For additional resources, including a step-by-step guide to fixing a flat tire, check out our Intro to Bike Maintenance class page on REI.com: www.rei.com/learn/expert-advi...
And remember that this video is the third in our Intro to Bike Maintenance series. Watch the rest of the videos here-
Chapter 1-Anatomy of a Bike: • Anatomy of a Bike - RE...
Chapter 2-How to Do a Pre-Ride Inspection: • How to Do a Pre-Ride I...
Chapter 4-How to Maintain Your Bike’s Drivetrain: • How to Maintain Your B...

[@andrevaca6700]

This is such a comprehensive video and it's edited well! I can't believe it isn't more popular. Good work!

[@rei]

Thanks for watching and thanks for the kudos! Feel free to share our video with any of your new to cycling friends! 😄

[@wellnesspathforme6236]

I agree 100%. Very detailed. I feel smarter already! lol Having just watched another video, a mention to note the initial alignment of the tube with the tire could be useful in determining the root cause as efficiently as possible, but a full review of the tire is best practice, regardless. Thanks for the most excellent presentation.

[@user-qq4rp2gb8c]

A wonderful video. Kat, you have a very real person but very comfortable presence on video. A rare and excellent quality. However, you neglected to mention one thing that you actually did. That is, when putting the tire back on the rim, put the label directly over the valve. That way, once you get the flat tire off the bike, you can look for the source of the flat at the same distance from the label as the puncture is from the valve.

[@meditationwhynot]

Thanks, watching this while stuck on a mountain

[@Fireflydusties]

Thank you for this video! First time getting a flat 😢

[@jimciancaglini8366]

I have watched a ton of these videos just for the heck of it. This one is very well done.

[@rei]

We appreciate that. Thanks for watching!

[@scottowens4585]

thank you, Kat and REI - that was super helpful, my first time.

[@yanxia3948]

Very clear demonstration. Thanks a lot!

[@mcnell311]

So easy, helped me a ton. Thanks

[@gregorymcdermott4705]

Just bought bikes for the family, 3 boys, wife and myself. This video was absolutely amazing for all styles of bikes and how to. Thank you for this professional detailed training!!!

[@bgsucreativewriting7264]

Thanks. Nice tips along with basic instruction.

[@nevmayor4617]

Best video i:ve seen on this subject. 5 stars+. Thanks Kat! Simple,comprehensive instructions. XXX Nev==England.

[@jeffmurray395]

This girl is a rock star! Thank you for the super informative vid!

[@venusla1]

Amazing video. Thanks for the detailed information!!

[@clowd9931]

What a great review!!!! It’s good to see a woman do this. Thank you for teaching me.

[@BellyrubsMan]

I have never changed a bicycle tire before and was going to take it to a bike shop and then thought I will just watch a video and learn how to do it myself. Thank you for taking it step by step and I just ordered new tires and tubes and will do it myself now. Great video.

[@rei]

Thanks for watching! We hope it goes well.

[@evieemaya88]

How did you get on repalcing your tyre ) tube

[@BellyrubsMan]

@@evieemaya88 Great! (I took it to the bike shop) haha. Does AAA come out and change the tire? Probably not, o well. Thank you for the great video though.))

[@evieemaya88]

@@BellyrubsMan lol a shame , I'm planning to change mine, I'll let u no how I get on or if I give in to the bike shop lol

[@annaanna598]

Excellent job👍👍

[@kimtheodore1889]

Excellent video, Kat. I'll be running a fix a flat clinic at our local shop. Your video is helping me fill the gaps as I prep for the class. Thank you! Oh and, a fun fact. My initials are also KAT!

[@JMTE27]

I appreciate the details thanks! 🙏🏻

[@harrybold891]

Very nicely explained.

[@eddicambio9072]

excellent training

[@TheTurtleTrio]

Very very helpful. Thought I couldn’t fix the tire but you helped thanks!!!!

[@rei]

We're happy to help! Please let us know if you have anymore questions.

[@pablocampos8872]

FANTASTIC!!! Thank youu!!!!!

[@maggiescanyon]

Good video!

[@tomttl]

This is such a great video ! Great job

[@rei]

We're glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching. 😊

[@aeiouxs]

Really amazing helpful video! I will now attempt my own repair on a flat tyre I picked up today. Thank you!

[@rei]

Glad we can help!

[@jonomichi2262]

Very clear thx

[@inkfromthebrain]

Thank you so much!! I fixed my first flat!!

[@rei]

That's awesome! Glad the video helped!

[@thomasdeekrease]

Respect!

[@AQiu-jc2tj]

This is a very helpful video and I fixed my Trek rear flat just by watching it. Thanks! And I will subscribe.

[@rei]

That's awesome news! We love to know that it helped.

[@mouawyaa]

Thanks 🙏

[@1Dshan]

Awesome video ❤

[@rei]

Thank you!

[@weshareourbusiness]

Thanks

[@justrosy2635]

Maybe use a large toothbrush or a hake-brush instead of your fingers when checking the rim for pieces that caused the puncture. Both will remove such pieces, so long as they aren't embedded in the tape already.

[@evieemaya88]

Got my first puncture last week, I like how this video has been made, I plan to repalce it next week once I get all the tools. I'll keep posted.in how I get on 🙏🙏🙏

[@nickwells7236]

its been 6 months

[@evieemaya88]

@@nickwells7236 hey Pal, this video did help and will get you there, but I found another video by David Arthur on KZbin , "how to replace an inner tube," that I follow step by step with my bike in my living room and pausing as I go and watching on the big screen TV. I would advise to do it this way then in your garage on your phone. Some sheets down in the living room and the big TV is the way to go and pause at each step with abit of music playing on your phone. The guy I watch has a moustache and a blue overall on in his video

[@ntr10me]

very comprehensive. I've super-terrified of the idea of getting a flat.

[@rei]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jamesswords6425]

Is there a video/course for tubeless tires?

[@Howie57]

I may have missed the part where you check that you've put the tyre on wheel in the right direction Putting a small amount of air in the inner tube helps prevent the inner tube from twisting when putting it back in the tyre

[@mikami1]

My tire blew out with my bike just sitting in the garage not being used. Any idea what caused this?

[@Thomass7586]

She's neat. Loved to watch her work on her bike. Most cannot even do that. I've known people with bike's costing thousands of dollars and they know nothing about even fixing a flat or anything else about there bikes. They have to take it to a bike shop for everything. Wonderful video. Thanks for sharing.👍🚴

[@1960deek]

Is the process the same for e-bikes?

[@rei]

Good question! On an e-bike with a mid-drive motor, flat repair is the same as it is on a conventional bike. Hub-drive motors are more complex, though, requiring you to know how to disconnect and reconnect all the electric connections involved.

[@1960deek]

@@rei Thanks for replying. It is hub-drive. I found another video that matches my bike

[@knightriderexplorer335]

My dear i have been criticized for flipping my bike over like you said if this happened out on a ride. People said to me never flip your bike over like that. I said ive seen a professional mechanic advised me to do so.

[@rei]

We hope our instructions have helped you fix your bike!

[@trendkill3333]

My tire will not go on. The bead is so ridiculously tight that nothing is making it any easier to get it on

[@butchdunn1622]

REI glued my tire to the rim. Thanks a lot REI, I’ll never buy from you again!!!

[@user-oo3eu7mt2b]

This is how to replace the intertube. Not how to patch a tube !!

[@dipdip7250]

This is racist