Step by step guide; Replacing an inner tube

Name: Hollandbikeshop.com
Address: Molenweer 22, Wateringen, 2291NR, NL
Telephone: +31 (0)70 - 300 00 44

Fixing an inner tube can be preferable to replacing one.
It’s cheaper and, with regards to the rear wheel, a lot easier to do.
(See Fixing an inner tube)
Unfortunately, not every leak can be patched up. In that case, you will need to replace the inner tube.
This guide only deals with replacing inner tubes.

What you'll need

Important to know before you begin

Rims, tires and inner tubes are available in many different sizes.
It’s important to know the right tire size for your bicycle before you start.
One inner tube can be used with several tire sizes.
The easiest way to determine the right inner tube size is checking the ETRTO size of the bicycle tire.
Find out more through the following link.
This repair is easiest to perform when the bicycle wheel has been removed from the bicycle. (See Replacing a rear wheel with a coaster/roller brake)

Step 1 : Removing an inner tube

Let any remaining air out of the inner tube through the valve. With Dunlop valves, you will then need to remove the top ring and inner mechanism, as well as the bottom ring that keeps the valve in place.
Press the valve down as far as possible to create space to maneuver the bicycle tire. (1)
Older tires in particular tend to stick to the rim. If this is the case with your tire, push the tire away from the rim using both thumbs. Repeat this step on both sides. (2, 3)
Now you should be able to maneuver the tire.

Step 2 : Removing an inner tube

Insert one tire lever between the tire and the rim, opposite the valve hole, by pushing the tire aside. (1)
Make sure the tire lever is inserted deep enough that you can lift the tire bead over the rim flange.
Use the tire lever to lift the tire off of the rim and use a spoke to anchor the lever. (2)
Repeat this step about three spokes further along, using the second tire lever. (3)

Step 3 : Putting an inner tube inside a tire

Now that the tire is sufficiently separated from the rim, you can use the first tire lever to repeat the previous step a few spokes further along. (1)
Once the tire is sufficiently “loosened”, you can manually remove the tire from the rim on one side. (2)
You should now be able to remove the inner tube from the tire manually.
The tire should be pushed aside a little near the valve, to create enough space to remove the valve from the rim hole and push it past the tire. The inner tube can now be removed. (3)

Step 4 : Mounting the tire

When mounting a new inner tube, it is important to check the bicycle tire for damage and for any remnants of the cause of damage, like glass.

Insert the valve back through the valve hole and screw on the bottom ring until it’s about halfway down the valve stem, leaving enough space to push the inner tube down further into the rim base.
Lightly inflate the inner tube, until the tire fold is almost invisible. (1)
Feed the inner tube into the bicycle tire completely and make sure that the tube fits evenly. (2)
Now you can start to put the tire bead onto the rim. (3)

Step 5 : Mounting a bicycle tire

It is best to mount a bicycle tire manually, without the use of tire levers. By using tire levers, you risk damaging the tube: the tire lever might squash the inner tube against the rim. If the tire bead is especially tight, however, tire levers can be used as a last resort. (2, 3) If you do use tire levers, make sure not to push them into the inner tube.

Push the valve down into the tube as far as possible to create space for the tire.
Then start putting the tire bead back over the rim, across from the valve hole. Make sure that the tire bead is placed inside the rim flange.
Put the rest of the tire back on the rim and make sure to put the last part back in near the valve. (1)
Make sure that the tire is pushed down into the rim bed as far as possible, so there’s enough space to put back the last part.
Let some air out of the inner tube, if necessary.
Try to lift the last part of the tire over the rim with both hands. Applying soap suds to the outer tire bead can make it easier to get the tire over the rim without using tire levers.
Gently inflate the tube to the right pressure inside the tire, then tighten the bottom ring until it is flush with the rim.
Make sure the tire is evenly centered on the rim.