Technical tips · Tires
How to Change a Bike Tire
Step by Step
Knowing how to change a bike tire matters whenever a flat or damaged tire catches you out, whether you ride MTB, gravel or a city bike. With tire levers, a pump and a spare bike inner tube, the job takes about 15 minutes. Here's how to do it without mistakes.
By Marko Ristivojević, Master Bike Mechanic
In short
How do you change a bike tire? Remove the wheel, let the air out, use tire levers to take off the tire and pull out the inner tube, inspect the tire and rim, fit a new bike inner tube and tire, then inflate to the pressure printed on the sidewall. The whole job takes about 10–15 minutes.
How long it takes
10–15 minutes with a bit of practice
What you need
Tire levers, pump, spare inner tube
Pressure
As marked on the tire sidewall (BAR or PSI)
Take it to a shop
Damaged rim, cut tire, frequent flats
Author: Marko Ristivojević, Master Bike Mechanic · BK MTB Evolution, Istočno Sarajevo
Evolution mini workshop: change a tire without a trip to the shop
Knowing how to change a bike tire is one of the core skills of every cyclist. If you can do it yourself, you save time and money, and you don't depend on a shop when a tire gives up mid-ride. Below, we explain how to replace a bike tire step by step.
If you run into a bigger fault or a damaged rim, visit our Servis bicikla Evolution in Istočno Sarajevo.
When Do You Need to Change a Bike Tire?
A punctured inner tube that can't be patched
A worn-out tire – the tread is completely gone, or you can see cracks and bulges on the sidewall
Preventive replacement – if you ride a lot, a fresh tire is safer and grips better
What Tools Do You Need?
Tire levers – plastic levers for prying the tire off the rim
Pump or mini pump – hand or floor pump, plus CO₂ cartridges if you like
A spare bike inner tube or a new tire
Multitool or wheel wrench – hex key for a thru-axle, 15 mm wrench for standard axle nuts
How to Replace a Bike Tire: Step by Step
Remove the wheel and release the air – open the quick-release or unscrew the thru-axle, then press the valve pin to let all the air out
Remove the tire and pull out the tube – slide one tire lever under the bead and hook it onto a spoke, use a second lever to work the bead over the rim, then take off the rest by hand
Inspect the tire and rim – run your fingers around the inside of the tire to check for glass or thorns, and make sure the rim tape is undamaged
Install and inflate – add a little air to the new tube, insert the valve, push the tire on with your thumbs, then inflate to the pressure printed on the sidewall and check that the tire doesn't wobble sideways
Most Common Mistakes When Changing a Tire
Pinching the tube (snakebite) – a tire lever traps the tube as you put the tire back on the rim
Skipping the inspection – a leftover shard of glass or thorn in the tire will puncture the new tube right away
Wrong pressure – too high risks a blowout, too low risks rim damage on obstacles
Getting Too Many Flats? Time to Go Tubeless
No inner tube – special sealant simply plugs holes while you ride
No pinch flats – frequent punctures and snakebites disappear, and you can run lower pressure
For MTB and gravel – more and more riders are switching to tubeless; read more in our tubeless tire guide
Pro tip: the most common mistake I see in the workshop is a crooked valve. Before fully inflating, push the valve gently toward the tire and check that it sits at 90° to the rim, then tighten the nut. That way the valve won't tear off while you ride. For more tips on how to fix a flat bike tire on the trail, check out the Park Tool guide.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Changing a Tire
How do you change a bike tire?
Remove the wheel, separate the tire from the rim with tire levers, pull out the inner tube, check the rim and tire, fit a new tube and inflate to the correct pressure.
What tools do you need to replace a bike tire?
Tire levers, a pump and, if needed, a wrench to remove the wheel. Plastic levers are more than enough out on the trail.
How long does it take to change a bike tire?
With a little experience, about 10–15 minutes.
Can I change the tire myself, or is it better to go to a shop?
You should know how to change a tire yourself so you don't get stranded mid-ride. If you're not sure whether the tire is beyond saving, or you simply don't have time, leave it to the workshop.
What's the difference between changing a tire on an MTB and on a road bike?
The process is the same, but MTB tires are wider and easier to remove by hand, while road tires take more strength and care so the tire lever doesn't pinch the tube.