Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or you only take your bike out on the weekend, knowing how to change a tyre on your road bike can save you time and money.
Bike tyres are one of the most important components of a road bike - as well as their road frame/ road frameset, the chain/ chainset, and the handlebars. However, the more you ride your bike, the higher the risk of your tyres sustaining damage.
For example, the tread of your tyres could wear out over time, or you could sustain a puncture when cycling. Another reason why you may need to replace your tyres is because of dry-rot, which can occur from age, mileage, and even sunlight exposure.
If you’ve noticed that your tyres aren’t performing as they used to and you want to know how to change your bike tyres, we’ve got you covered. Read on for our helpful guide to replacing a tyre on your road bike.
Road Bike Tyres Explained
Bike tyres can make or break your cycling experience - they not only enhance comfort and traction but reduce rolling resistance and can improve the entire aesthetic of your bike.
You may be wondering what sets road bike tyres apart from other bike tyres - well, in comparison to mountain bike wheels, road bike wheels typically feature light rims and fewer spokes. The rims are sometimes designed to be deeper so you can achieve higher speeds and enjoy a more streamlined ride.
Road bike rims are often very narrow for aerodynamics, allowing you to ride at a high speed. For race-focused bikes, you’ll usually find tyres at around 25mm - whereas for endurance, you’ll find wider tyres at around 28mm - 30mm.
Rear shocks and suspension forks aren’t essential on road bikes as they are on other bikes designed to be ridden on different terrains - for example, mountain bikes. To learn the ins and outs of road bikes, check out this post.
How To Replace A Road Bike Tyre
Now you understand what sets road bike tyres apart from the likes of adventure bike tyres or mountain bike tyres, it’s time to learn how to replace and install a road bike tyre.
1: Purchase Replacement Tyres
Before you get to work on changing your bike tyres, you need to source a quality replacement. Whether you look for road bike tyres online or at your local bike store, you need to ensure you have the right size and measurements.
To do this, measure your old tyres, and observe the treatment patterns. Not all road bikes are the same, so take care when finding a match.
2: Remove The Wheels
First of all, you need to remove the bike tyres. If you don’t have a bike stand, flip the bike upside down to remove the tyres.
If you’re changing the front wheel, you must first loosen the brakes for the front wheel and find the quick-release levers to streamline the process.
If you’re wanting to remove the back wheel, adjust the gears up to the smallest ring. Then, loosen the brakes and find the quick-release lever. Take care when pulling the wheel out - take it slowly to avoid causing damage.
3: Remove The Tyre From The Rim
To quickly remove the tyre from the rim, you must deflate the tyre or tyres and push the part of the tyre that’s nearer to the rim edge. Move it away up to the midsection of the wheel, and do this until the tyre has become loose.
Once loose, use bike tire levers to separate the tyre from the rim. Apply consistent pressure when removing the tyre from the rim - this will prevent the tyre from falling back into place. Attach the tire lever to the outer edge of the tire - and once secured, pull it over the edges of the rim in a clockwise manner until it’s finally removed.
Then, pull the tire tube out - push the air valve through the hole so it’s completely removed from the tire.
4: Install The New Tyre
Fitting a new tyre should be easy once you’ve removed an old tyre - after all, it’s a similar process, just in reverse. First of all, lay the new tube flat and inflate it with a pump. However, you must avoid inflating it completely.
Slide the tube into the tire and line up the valve to the valve hole, ensuring it fits perfectly before you inflate the tube entirely.
Then, use the tyre lever to push the other side of the tyre over the rim, adjusting the position of the tire tube where needed. Make sure that the tube is installed correctly between the tyre and wheel - and then roll the rest of the tyre over the rim carefully.
5: Fit The Wheel Back Into Place
This is the final stage in changing a tyre on a road bike. Once the tyres are firmly on the rim, you can easily place the wheels back onto your bike. Inflate the tire tube (use a bike bump), and then the process is finished.
Final Words
At Reilly Cycleworks, we understand that one size does not fit all when it comes to bikes, which is why our aim is to put the individual back into the bike.
Our wheelsets are expertly fitted and made with durability in mind. Many of our road bikes feature DCR x Reilly Road wheels fitted as a standard.
For example, our popular Fusion road bike is fitted with DCR x Reilly Carbon 37s - however, you could always upgrade to the Strada Carbon Performance Aero Disc 34/45/55 wheelset!
Our bikes are made by cyclists, for cyclists. Check our collection of road bikes, featuring the Spectre - a titanium road bike that’s the perfect choice for country lanes and roads. Another popular choice is the Reilly Fusion, one of our newest bikes that launched in April 2022.
We can customise your bike to suit your requirements and preferences - chat with our experts today to start planning your perfect road bike.