Correctly patching the bicycle tube: Instructions
Correctly patching a bicycle tube is annoying, but actually an uncomplicated matter. In this article we explain what you should consider when patching your tube and what you need for it.
How to remove the hose
If you have a flat tire on your bike, a broken bike tube is often the problem. With a little skill and tools, the tube can be patched up quickly.
- First you have to remove the wheel. To do this, loosen the wheel nut directly where the wheel is connected to the frame. Now lift the wheel out of the frame. Then the wheel valve is opened and the air is let out as far as possible.
- The wheel cover must now be removed from the rim. A screwdriver with which you can lift the jacket is recommended. However, be careful not to puncture the hose underneath.
- Now take the hose out of the jacket. There are several ways to find the hole, but the simplest is with water. Pump up the hose again and take a bucket full of water, a rain barrel or a full sink.
How to find and patch the hole
Once you have removed the tube, you can now search for the hole and then patch it up.
- Turn the hose around in the water and squeeze something. When bubbles rise up, you've found the hole. Next up is the patch kit.
- Dry the area around the hole well and use some sandpaper to roughen the area. Now spread the glue around the hole and put the patch on the hole. The glue should be distributed a little more generously than the patch is large, so that the edges of the patch really stick to the tube.
- To test whether the patch really seals, you can hold the tube in the water again. The hole is sealed. so the hose can be used again. You just have to do all the steps backwards.
- The tube comes back on the rim, starting with the valve. Then the coat is put back on the rim. Next, the tire is screwed back onto the frame and inflated. Check the function with a short test drive.
In the next article we will explain how you can easily and easily repair a bicycle chain yourself.