Roadside Fix

by Myke Berna

The most common troublesome thing you encounter on your bicycles are flat tires.  Here's how to fix them on the road.  So, first, remove the wheel.

Front Wheel: 

• Flip Brake Release lever (Shimano and SRAM have thumb levers on the calipers; Campy has buttons on the hoods.)
• Flip Quick Realease Lever OPEN.
• Unthread the lever about 6-Turns or until the QR lever clears the Fork Tabs.

Rear Wheel:

• Shift to smallest cog (11t). 
• Flip Brake Release lever (Shimano and SRAM have thumb levers on the calipers; Campy has buttons on the hoods.)
• Flip Quick Realease Lever OPEN.
• Hold bike up by seat with one hand, push from the top of the wheel DOWN with the other hand.  Wheel should fall out leaving you with a wheel in one hand and a bike attached to a seat in the other. 
• Lay bike down on NON-Drive Side.

 Second, take wheel and deflate completely, then:

• Start opposite the valve stem with two tire levers. 
• Hook them under the tire bead about 3" apart.  Evenly pull both levers  down toward center of wheel.
• Once the bead has been popped, leave one lever where it is and use the other to push it's way around the rim, pulling the tire off. 
• Pull entire tire/tube off the rim. 
• Pull tube out. 
• Run finger inside tire diameter a few times looking for thorns or glass.  Pick out anything that your can feel. 
• Visibly inspect the rubber all the way around picking out any glass, thorns, or other debris lodged in the tire.
  

Next, air up the tube enough to take shape, then:

• Install one bead of tire on rim. 
• Insert tube starting at valve stem.  Push tube up and over the lip of the rim all the way around so that the slightly aired up tube sits down in the bed of the rim. 
• Starting opposite the valve, tuck the tire in to the rim finishing at the valve.  Use the lervers if must, but be careful to not jab the tube.
• Give the valve a push so it sets up inside the tire. 
• Air up completely.

Then, reinstall the wheel.
Front Wheel:

• Hold bike by the stem/handlebar area with one hand and slide the wheel in to place with the other. 
  
• Squat in front of bike and tighten QR lever appropriately. 
• Tighten brake caliper thumb lever. 

Rear Wheel:

• Lift bike up with left hand on the saddle. 
• Insert wheel in to the bike alining the chain on the back (11t) cog and drop it into the dropouts. 
• Set the bike on the ground. 
• Squat behind bike and tighten the QR lever appropriately. 
• Reset brake caliper thumb lever. 

Finally, pick up your dead tube and any other trash that fell out of your pack and carry on with your ride.