A tire is an essential part of a bike. Flat and worn-out tires can affect your riding. As a cyclist, it is essential to know How to Change a Bike Tire? Because with a new tire, you will get the following:
- A smooth ride
- Will increase your bike lifespan
- It will give you more speed and traction on the road and
- Ensure your safety and confidence.
Now I will give you a step-by-step guide to bike tire changing. It will help you to change your bike tire easily at any place. For more details, please go through the article.
We have a related article for you, you can read How To Achieve The Perfect Bike Tire Pressure? Tips & Tricks To Ensure A Smooth Ride.
How Often Should You Replace Bike Tires?
There are many factors to consider when replacing tires.Here are some factors to consider, but first, let’s get an idea of how long it typically takes to replace a bike tire. The average lifespan of a tire is 2,000-3,000 miles. There is a list of different types bike tires and there lifespan:
| Bike Tire Type | Average Lifespan |
| Mountain Bike Tire | 3,000-4,000 mile |
| Road Bike Tire | 1000- 3000 mile |
| Fat Bike Tire | 2500- 3500 mile |
| BMX Bike Tire | 2500- 3500 mile |
| Touring Bike Tire | 3500 to 4500 miles |
| Racing Bike Tire | 1000 mile |
| E- bike Tire | 1000- 3000 mile |
Along with riding miles, there are some other things to consider. When tires show wear & tear, sidewall cuts, rubber cracks, or low performance, they must be replaced. The signs are listed below:
- Feel High Suction:
Usually, this occurs when the inner tube or spare tube is not inflated properly or is losing air. Check both bike tyres for wear indications from end to end to determine if the tyres need to be replaced. Any signs of deflation, regardless of speed or rate, indicate a need for replacement.
- Vibration On The Road:
Feeling vibrations on the road means you should replace your tires! The outer material may appear well maintained, and you can ride 1000 more miles without any concerns. You should pay attention to road vibrations.
- Uneven Pavement Wear:
This is a good indication that the tires need to be replaced. You can observe this when you load up some speed or brake. A mountain bike tire gets stuck somewhere in this top layer, resulting in an uneven wear patch or edge. Consequently, uneven wear patches and wrinkles will result from faster air loss.
- Feeling Bounce
Even the slightest bounce while driving or riding means the rear tires must be replaced! If you feel a tight curve, ride at high speeds, brake sharply, or even fall off, the bike should be checked immediately.
- Stem Gap
When the weather is good or warm, the stem gap (distance between the rim and tire) can open out too much. It’s another indication that the bike tire needs replacing if you encounter this on long rides above normal speed, such as 125-160 km/h.
How To Change A Bike Tire?
Changing a bike tire is quite a handy and easy task. By following some simple steps, you can change your bike tire easily.
Tools & Materials You Will Need:
- Stand for bicycle repairs (optional)
- Adjustable wrench
- Spray lubricant
- Tire levers
- Bike pump
On its side or upside down, you can rest the bike on its handlebars. Bicycle handlebars and seats can be damaged if placed upside down, so some cyclists avoid doing so and use a bike stand.
Depending on your comfort level, choose a position. You can purchase an upright bike stand if you prefer to work on your bicycle off the ground.
When laying the bike on its side, ensure the chain side faces up. Make sure your gears are set to the smallest ring before removing the back tire.
STEP 1: Remove The Wheel Nut Or Quick-Release Levers
Quick-release levers are found in the center of bicycle wheels if the bike includes them. To remove the lever, pull it up and turn it 180 degrees. Remove it and set it aside for reinstallation. You should be able to replace the damaged tire on the wheel by doing this.
Most bikes do not come with a quick-release lever, however. A wrench is needed to loosen the wheel’s center nut in this case. It is usually sufficient to loosen and remove the wheel nut with a 15-millimeter wrench.
Additionally, you can use any spray lubricant to loosen the wheel nut.
STEP 2: Unplug The Brake Cables And Remove The Tire
Attempting to remove the wheel without detaching the brake cables can damage them.
Sometimes, the brake cables can be released by squeezing the brake calipers. Still, the cables must be released in most cases by removing the quick-release lever.
When replacing a bike’s rear wheel, remove the chain from the gears. A bicycle tire can be pulled or lifted out of the forked slot by removing the wheel nut, brake cables, and the quick-release lever.
STEP 3: Remove The Valve Retaining Nut And Deflate The Tire
It is necessary to deflate the rubber tire completely to remove it from the metal wheel.
Remove the air valve cap and set it aside for reinstallation. Release the air from the air valve by pressing down on the plunger with a wrench.
The air may need to be released by pulling up the Presta or Dunlop valves on your bike. You must remove any retaining ring or nut that secures the air valve to the wheel rim. Place the part with the air valve cap for reinstallation later.
STEP 4: Remove The Tire from The Rim
Using tire levers, you can separate the tire and rim once the tire has loosened its grip on the rim. A tire lever with a hooked end can be attached to the outer edge of the tire.
After securing the attachment, you can now pull the level over the rim. Turn the tire clockwise until it comes off the rim.
STEP 5 :Remove The Inner Tube From The Tire
Remove the tire tube by sliding it out. You can remove the entire air valve by pushing it through the hole in the wheel frame.
STEP 6 : Inflate The New Tire Tube
Ensure the new tube’s dust cap, lock ring, and valve cover are removed before taking it out of the packaging.
Inflate the new tire tube with a bike pump or inflator after unfolding it and checking it for damage. Fill the tube halfway, but only some of the way.
At this stage, the air helps the tube hold its shape and prevents damage from pinching, bending, or twisting during reinstallation. To prevent misplacing small parts, store them in a safe place.
STEP 6: Check And Refit The Tire
Inspecting the inside and outside walls of a tire before you install a new tire or refit an old one with a new inner tube is important.
Ensure the tread of one side of the tire points in the right direction before fitting it to the wheel rim.
The air valve must be inserted through the valve hole inside the tire to fit the inner tube.
STEP 7: Inflate The Inner Tube Fully And Reinstall The Wheel
To fully inflate the inner tube, use a bicycle pump or air compressor at home. If the PSI isn’t printed on the tire, you can determine the appropriate air pressure by referring to the bicycle manual or the manufacturer’s website. Keep the cap on the air valve to prevent the tire from deflating accidentally.
You should use a quick-release lever or wheel nut to secure the wheel. The brake cables and chain need to be reattached if the rear tire was replaced . After ensuring the wheel spins freely, place the bicycle upright and take a short ride to test the repair.
Benefits Of Replacing Bike Tires
Your bike or bicycle tires must be replaced if damaged or worn out. Changing tires on time not only saves money but also reduces fuel consumption.
The following are some of the benefits of replacing a bike or bicycle tire:
Comfortable:
Riding with a tubeless tire is more comfortable and enjoyable as it provides better traction. Additionally, it increases the bike’s lifespan and improves handling.
Improve Stopping Power And Roll Resistance:
Compared to the original old tires, a new tire carries less weight. Replacing your bike’s tires can gain more speed and traction on smooth roads. Furthermore, it provides excellent stopping power whenever you need it.
Getting A Smoother Ride:
Biking is one of the most popular forms of transportation. Changing your bike’s tires will reduce friction between moving parts and the ground, making the ride smoother.
Make Your Bike Last Longer:
When riding your bicycle, a bike tire keeps you on your bike by covering the wheel rim with rubber. The speed of your ride will increase by up to 50% if you replace your old tread wear indicator tires with new ones. You can also keep yourself safe on the road with a good tire change.
Ensure Road Safety By Avoiding Flats:
Ensure the old tire is replaced and the new one is inflated correctly. Using a fender is also a good idea if you want your bike tire to be more stable when you ride.
When your tire has an air leak, replacing it can prevent flats and increase road safety. As a result, the bike rims will wear out faster due to less friction between the rim and tire.
Ride With Confidence:
When the tire is replaced with a new one, you will feel more confident and safer on the road, making riding a bike more enjoyable.
Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs]
How Many Miles Should I Change My Bike Tires?
Although bicycle tyres have an average lifespan, they should be replaced based on many factors. Generally, a bicycle tyre lasts between 3,000 and 4,000 miles, whether a road racing tyre or a mountain bike tyre.
Does Changing Tire Size Affect Speed?
If you upsize or install a taller tire, your speedometer will read slower. The taller tire will have a larger circumference, so it must travel more distance per revolution than the original equipment tire.
Can You Change A Bike Tire Without Removing The Wheel?
Fixing a puncture doesn’t require taking the wheel off your bike or the tyre off the wheel completely. The first step is to remove the punctured tube from the tyre. Grab your tyre levers and hook the first one under the tyre bead.
Final Words:
When properly maintained and stored, a bicycle can remain in top condition for many years to come.
Whenever a bike tire is damaged, replace or repair it as soon as possible in order to prevent the wheel from being damaged.
Additionally, watch all small parts, such as nuts, lock rings, and valve caps, during the repair or replacement process. Although they are small, they are crucial to a bicycle’s functioning. Losing one during a repair can cause other problems.
Another post that will interest you is about How To Measure Bike Tire Size? – A Comprehensive Guide.
