It might seem like replacing a bicycle inner tube isn't complicated. For a technician who knows what's what, it's incredibly simple, although even an experienced person can sometimes have a real problem. Assuming we're not dealing with tubeless tires and our bike only needs an inner tube replaced, we need to check two more things.

Replacing a bicycle inner tube for beginners

First, you need to check what type of valve you have in your current inner tube. There are three types of valves : the Dunlop valve, also known as the bicycle valve. This is a valve that everyone should be familiar with from folding bikes or other older bikes. The Presta valve is used primarily on road and sports bikes. Finally, there's the Schrader valve, a fairly familiar car valve. Once we know which valve we need, we need to gather one more piece of information. Secondly, we need to find out our tire size and width. This information is 99% visible on our current tire. Without delving into the details of the various markings, the numbers on the tire will be in inches or millimeters. If we read the information correctly, a bike shop should be able to recommend the correct inner tube size for our tire. The simplest solution is to take a photo of the marking. Getting down to the nitty-gritty of replacing a bike's inner tube, we need to start by removing the wheel. Depending on whether it's the front or rear wheel, this will be easier or more difficult. We'll focus on the more difficult option: replacing the inner tube in a rear wheel with an external derailleur. Replacing the inner tube in a bike with hub gears is quite tricky and requires a bit more work.

Replacing a bicycle inner tube is impossible without removing the wheel.

The first step is to set your derailleur to the smallest sprocket, which will make things a bit easier. If you have V-brakes, you'll need to tilt them, which means removing the "snorkel" from the brake arm. If you're having trouble with this, the easiest way is to simply unscrew the screw holding the brake cable. It's worth checking its condition. If it's tarnished or has small wires sticking out, we recommend replacing it. If you have disc brakes, you can skip to the next step. Turn the bike upside down, then remove the wheel. If you have a quick-release, you'll need to tilt it and unscrew it while holding the nut on the other side of the bike. If the wheel is secured with bolts, you'll simply need to unscrew them, probably with a 15mm wrench. The next step is to remove the wheel. We can help by tilting the derailleur back and pulling the rim upwards. Once this step is complete, the wheel should be in our hands, and the bike should be on the ground, waiting for the next step.

Grande finale or spécialité de la maison

Now all that's left is to remove the tire and the old inner tube. Sometimes this can be done without special wrenches. However, if you're having trouble removing the tire from the rim, we recommend using special tire levers; they're inexpensive and make the job much easier. We don't recommend screwdrivers or other sharp tools, as they can easily damage the rim and tire. Once you've removed the tire from the wheel, you still need to give it some attention. If wires are sticking out, it's cracked, or simply bald, replacing the inner tube will be useless, as you'll quickly develop a flat. If your tire is in good condition, check for any punctures. Even a small thorn can cause problems. So, it's best to double-check before installing your new inner tube! Once you've determined your tire is ready to be reused, you can move on to the next step. Now we need to install our new inner tube. I recommend inflating it slightly to make things easier. Seat the tire on the rim with only one edge (remember the rolling direction!), leaving the other edge sticking out beyond the wheel. Then, press the inner tube into the gap between the tire and the rim. Start by inserting the valve stem into the hole in the rim and gently positioning the inner tube. Be careful not to fold the tire or twist it. Once the inner tube is seated, you can install the other edge of the tire on the rim. If you can't do this by hand, I recommend using the previously mentioned and reliable tire levers. Be careful not to pinch the inner tube; it must be completely hidden under the tire.

We are already close to success!

Now you can lightly inflate the inner tube to shape the entire tire. Then, try rocking the tire sideways to get everything aligned. Inflate to the target pressure and check that the tire is sitting evenly. The easiest way is to spin the tire and check for any tire flex. If something happens while inflating, quickly deflate it. Loose tires can cause the inner tube to come out, which almost always results in a loud explosion. Installing a wheel is very similar to removing it. Seat the wheel in the frame, check that it's level on all sides relative to the frame, and tighten the bolts or quick-release. Reinstall the V-brake. If you have a disc brake, you'll need to carefully align it with the hole between the brake pads while simultaneously seating the wheel in the holes in the frame. Sometimes, after replacing a tube, you'll need to slightly adjust the brakes or drivetrain. This is normal, as your wheel may be slightly different after the entire process. The material was prepared by Łukasz Nogieć