Repairing a bike tyre or wheel

It's a question that we hear often, but most of the time, with a puncture, it isn't your tyre that needs to be replaced but rather your inner tube. The tyre refers to the part in contact with the road, while the inner tube is the rubber tube inflated with air that is placed between the tyre and the rim.

Here is a summary of the steps for repairing your inner tube; each one of them is explained in this article under the video:
1. Remove your bike wheel;
2. Deflate and remove the punctured inner tube;
3. Check the condition of the inner tube;
4. Repair the inner tube (if possible);
5. (Re)place the repaired or replaced inner tube and put the wheel back on the bike.

Knowing how to remove the wheel of an electric bike is useful not only in case of a puncture, but also when you need to store your bike in the boot of a car, for example (in that case, you'd want to remove the front wheel for easier transport).

Please note: certain bikes require specific wrenches for removing the wheels. Make sure you always have the needed equipment with you.

Removing the front wheel of an electric bike is easy to do. As for the rear wheel of an electric bike, that's a different ballgame. You should know that this can be more technical. For that reason, here are your options if you end up with a punctured rear tyre:
• Option 1: You want to do the repair yourself, and that does you credit. However, we do recommend watching the disassembly video before starting to make the repair.
• Option 2: "Hey, can you come get me?" . Simply remove the bike's front wheel, and put it in the back of your car. The repair can then be done in a repair workshop or on your own.
• Option 3: Lock your bike in place, and come back to get it later. That's a possibility that can arise from time to time. Remember to put it somewhere secure to prevent theft.
• Option 4: There are bike repair people who can come to your home or to the site of your puncture.

You should also know that electric bikes are nearly all equipped with self-repairing inner tubes. These provide more peace of mind as you ride. A sealant fluid is built into the inner tube that can repair punctures of up to 3 mm that occur on the tread. This type of inner tube can be very useful if you use your bike every day, such as for a commute to work.

Marion, Decathlon Product Engineer, explains how to remove the front and rear wheels of an electric bike:

Once your tyre is off:

• Open the tyre's valve to let the air out (if there's any still in there);
• Place a tyre lever between the tyre and the rim (the rim is the edge of the wheel), then slide it along the rim to "remove" one side of the tyre;
• Finally, remove the valve nut from the inner tube and take the inner tube out of the tyre.

To figure out what has caused a puncture, you can't go wrong with this method. Take a look!

• Inflate your inner tube;
• Plunge it into a bucket or basin full of water;
• Carefully inspect your inner tube under the water: where you see bubbles escaping shows you where your inner tube is punctured and needs a repair;
• To finish, deflate your inner tube.

Figuring out what has caused your puncture will enable you to correctly repair your inner tube and potentially avoid getting another puncture in the future. There are 4 types of puncture:

• something has pierced the tyre, e.g. a piece of glass, a needle, a thorn, etc;
• the inner tube has been pinched between the road and the rim;
• a spoke has pushed through the rim and made a hole in the inner tube;
• the valve has worn out.

Regardless of which type of puncture you're dealing with, we always recommend checking that there's nothing hiding inside your tyre. It would be a shame to re-install a repaired inner tube underneath a tyre hiding a shard of glass or another item likely to cause a new puncture.
Also look carefully at the rim to check that no spokes are poking through, as well as the rim tape which should protect the inner tube from the spoke heads.

If you don't have a patch to repair your punctured inner tube, and you also don't have a spare tube, using a puncture spray can be an easier alternative that is just as reliable.
To use your spray, simply insert the nozzle into the valve and spray it in (as if you were pumping up your inner tube). The sealant should then plug the hole.
Note that once you get home, you should remember to replace your inner tube. The sealant is just a temporary fix; it isn't a long-term repair.

Bike tutorial: how to use a puncture spray

Does your inner tube seem irreparable, or you don't have the equipment you need? Don't waste time: replace the punctured inner tube with a new one, and set out on the right foot! You can always check if your inner tube is repairable once you're home, and if it isn't, remember to recycle it.

Your inner tube is finally ready to be put back on! To do so, follow these steps:

• Start by slightly inflating the inner tube to give it some shape;
• Put it inside the tyre, making sure to position the valve in the right place.
💡 Tip: place the marking on the tyre over the valve hole. That will make repairs easier if needed.
• Re-insert the tyre sidewall, checking the direction of rotation (which is visible on most tyres).

Remember to check that the inner tube hasn't got pinched between the tyre and the rim.

• Finish inflating your inner tube with your pump, and put the wheel back on the bike.

Tyres are parts that will wear out over time, and a worn tyre will not only lose traction, but will also be more prone to punctures.

💡 A "standard" tyre is replaced when it's worn and (more or less) every 5,000 kilometres.
But that's in theory. For certain sports, like mountain or gravel biking, your tyres go through a lot and wear out faster. City roads can also be prone to causing punctures and tyre wear (thanks to stray pieces of garbage). The easiest is to regularly check the condition of your tyres: if they are smooth or cracked, replace them!

Want to get your worn or punctured tyre replaced in a workshop? You can do it at Decathlon! Just make an appointment online or in a store. Note that it will cost between €11 and €30 for labour and spare parts, depending on the repair.

As for the tyre itself, prices vary depending on the type of bike and tyre you choose. To give you an idea, here are all our bike tyres.