Repairing a bicycle tyre

In short: A flat tyre can be repaired yourself with a repair kit: remove the tube, find the hole, patch it and refit. It takes about 20 minutes.

In more detail: Usually a thorn, glass or a valve defect is to blame. Check tube and tyre separately.

In detail

• Tools: Tyre levers, repair kit (glue, patches, sandpaper), pump.
• Remove the wheel: Release the brake, open quick release or bolts.
• Lift off the tyre: Use tyre levers, pull out the tube.
• Find the hole: Inflate the tube and hold it in water or listen for it.
• Patch: Roughen the spot, apply glue, let it dry briefly, press the patch on firmly.
• Check the tyre: Feel inside for foreign objects, otherwise the tube bursts again.
• Refit: Inflate the tube slightly, insert the tyre, pump to the correct pressure (printed on the sidewall).
• Tip: Carry a spare tube when out and about (werkzeug-grundausstattung-fuer-zuhause).