1	Changing a Flat On a ride
2	Parts – Tire and Rim Tire Casing Tube Bead Rim Tire Rim Spoke – not shown
3	A Flat While Ridding You hear a bang or feel a flat Do not panic! Anticipate a handling problem but do not lock up the brakes If ridding with others - Call out “Flat, Slowing!” Check for traffic behind you Slowly move to the right and stop in a safe area Out of car and bike traffic
4	Positioning Bike If you don’t have a bell, computer, etc. on handlebars Turn the bike upside down resting on the saddle and bars If you can’t turn the bike over Remove the tire Set the bike down on its side so the chain side is up
5	Front Tire Removing
6	Removing the Front Tire Release the brake cable Releases the break pads for clearance Release the quick release lever Unwind quick release a few turns while holding the nut on other side Enables you to clear the wheel tabs Remove tire
7	Rear Tire Removing
8	Rear Tire Flat Shift to small ring in front Lift rear wheel off ground Turn pedal so chain moves to small chainring Shift to small ring on rear cassette Turn pedal so chain moves to small chainring Repeat if necessary This gives you maximum chain slack
9	Bike upright Lift rear wheel off ground Push down on wheel until clear of rear stays Twist wheel to clear chain and cassette Set tire down Set bike on side, chain side up (needs photo)
10	Bike Upside down Put your first finger on the front of the guide jockey wheel and your thumb behind the tension jockey wheel Pull the derailleur out if the way Lift the wheel upward and to the right clearing the chain (needs photo)
11	Stripping the Tire Front or Rear
12	Prepare to Remove From Rim Remove any air from the tube Pinch the sides of the tire separating it from the rim Repeat around the rim Tire should be loose on rim Tire casing Tube Rim Bead Tire Bead Rim
13	Stripping Tire Place the flat edge of the tire iron under the tire bead Opposite the valve stem Push down on the lever and hook it on a spoke, if lever provides a hook Repeat until tire is loose enough to remove one side of tire from rim Remove the tube Start away from the valve stem
14	Locate the Cause Add air to the tube Look for leak Check tire for cause of flat Look inside casing for foreign object Feel inside casing, Use tube to locate problem area If you find the hole in tube
15	Reinstall rear wheel Insert the wheel between the stays Rest smallest cog on lower part of chain Push wheel’s axle into dropouts Center wheel Close quick release Refit brakes Spin wheel – re-center if necessary
16	Types of Flats Herman H. Wadler LCI #1238
17	Puncture Location – top Cause Foreign object penetrating the tire and piercing the tube i.e. glass, puncture vine, nail, tack, etc. Will be a clean looking hole
18	Rim Flat / Snake Bite Location – bottom Cause under inflation Pinched tire bottoms out on tire casing Look for 3rd hole if tire flats after repair Will be two parallel holes and look like a snake bite
19	Spoke Hole Location – bottom Causes Worn rim tape Rim strip protects inflated tube from sharp edges of eyelets and spoke nipples You will see indentations in rim tape
20	Blow out Location Generally on the side Cause Tube caught between the rim and tire when uninflated Will be a jagged looking hole
21	Valve Stem Location – near valve stem Cause – pulling on stem when removing air pump Worn rim tape Crooked value when inflating tube Will be a hole or tear Irreparable
22	Hole in tire casing Location –tire casing Cause Glass or other sharp object in road Worn tire Previous puncture Tube will be forced into hole and get pinched
23	Boot Hole in tire may require boot to get home Place boot over hole Commercial boot Dollar bill Energy Bar wrapper Install tube Install tire Replace tire when you get home!
24	Warnings Bruised casing Worn tire Cord showing through Cuts in tire