My back tyre got punctured. Instead of going to a repair shop, I decided to fix it myself. Another chapter in my journey to become a bicycle repairman.
How much did it cost?
- Maxxis 26” x 2.1 tyre for $16
- Maxxis tube for $8
All for just $24 including shipping, excluding vouchers.
How did I know it’s a 26-inch rim and 2.1-inch wide? The original tyre has the dimensions labelled right on it.
How to dismantle
Taking out the foot pegs is easy, just unscrew them.
The wheel is held by hex screws on both sides. Loosen them with a hex spanner.
The tricky part is the chain. Pull the rear derailleur backward to release tension, unhook the chain, then slide the wheel out.
How to put in the new tyre
Fit the outer tyre around the rim first. It wasn’t difficult at all. Fits nicely without needing to pull and stretch (contrary to what some YouTube videos suggest).
Then put the tube in WITHOUT pumping any air.
Once the outer tyre is also in place, pump it up, making sure it seats nicely around the rim.
Assemble back
Reverse the steps to assemble.
Be careful with the disc brake. On my first try, I seemed to have dislodged the disc, so it got too tight and engaged the brake constantly. Had to redo it, making sure the disc slipped in nicely between the brake pads. Also learned to adjust the disc brake caliper to loosen/tighten.
Tighten the hex screws, screw the foot pegs back on, and you’re good to go!
It really wasn’t hard. A bit of effort, a bit of courage, and you can do it yourself too.