Fitting a new inner tube

All our hire bikes come with a safety poach so check yours has a spare inner tube and two tyre levers at the minimum.

1. Start by undoing the brakes

fitting inner tube - undoing brakes

2. Release the wheel clamp and take the wheel off

pasted image 0 (1)

3. Pull the derailleur out of the way, then the wheel will drop

pasted image 0 (2)

4. Then, take your tyre levers, you need two! Lever with the first one, and then the second, but start the second about 10-12 cm down the rim

pasted image 0 (3)

5. With slack in the tyre, you can now remove the inner tube

pasted image 0 (4)

6. Check the tyre for any sharp objects that might be in there, but go carefully!

pasted image 0 (5)

7. New inner tube, remove dust cap and lock ring

pasted image 0 (6)

8. Fit the new inner tube but fit the valve into the valve hole first

pasted image 0 (7)

9. When refitting the tyre, tuck the bead inside the rim and work your fingers around the rim pushing the tyre back on

pasted image 0 (8)

10. Run your hands down the rim with the wheel facing outwards away from your legs to pop the tyre bead back over the rim

pasted image 0 (9)

11. The last bit of tyre bead is always difficult and will need two (or three) tyre levers, be careful not to pinch the new tube at this stage.

pasted image 0 (10)

12. TIP Get that tyre lever properly inserted before applying any pressure.

pasted image 0 (11)

13. Now inflate the tyre making sure no inner tube is snagging on the rim and reattach the wheel. Remember to pull the derailleur backwards (towards the back of the bike) to refit the wheel.

pasted image 0 (12)