If you have a bike stand, use that to hold the bike in place.
If you have rim brakes, squeeze the noodle (the curved aluminum cable or pipe attached to the brake lines) and the caliper (the square piece holding the brake pads) together until they separate. [2] X Research source If you have disc brakes, flip the skewer or lever on the bike’s frame near the wheel’s axle in the opposite direction. [3] X Research source The words “open” and “close” may be on the skewer. [4] X Research source All mountain bikes are different, so for the best results, consult the user manual for your specific bike to determine how to disengage the brakes.
The thru-axle is the long rod or bolt connecting the wheel to the bike’s frame. Be mindful of the bike’s chain during this step, as it will sag and loosen when the clutch is disengaged. Put the bike in the lowest gear before removing the back tire. [6] X Research source
Put the nut in a safe place for later. If you’re working with the back tire, pull out the thru-axle when you remove the nut. [8] X Research source
Start at the valve stem and work your way around until the tire separates from the wheel rim. [10] X Research source The valve stem is the small stick-like piece used to inflate the tire tube located on the rim between the spokes. The tire will snap back to the rim once the levers are removed.
If you have a tubeless tire, there won’t be a tube to remove, so take the tire off the rim completely to inspect the inside chamber of the tire.
A puncture in a tube is most likely from rolling over a sharp object. A pinch occurs when the tube and rim collide. Debris may have found its way inside the tire chamber and punctured the tube. If this is the case, remove the tire from the rim completely using tire levers. [13] X Research source Ignore this step if you’re changing the tire tube as part of your normal bike maintenance. Change your mountain bike tires every 2,000 to 3,000 miles.
Patch kits are also a great item to keep on you while you ride in case of emergencies. Buy a new tube at a local bike shop or online. Simply search your mountain bike’s name and model with “tire tube. ”
Try not to use tire levers during this step, as they could puncture your tube while inserting.
Play around with air pressure to find what’s best for you! Some riders like having less pressure in the front when using tubeless tires. Don’t forget to screw back on the valve stem cap to lock the air in. [19] X Research source
If you’re changing a back bike tire, do the same steps you did while removing but in reverse: align the axle and frame by sliding the thru-axle back in place, tighten the nut, and flip the switch. [21] X Research source
