How to Change a Fat Bike Tire : Easy 13 Steps
Changing a tire on a fat bike can be a real pain. Most often, it involves removing the wheel and pulling off the old tube, putting on the new tube, replacing the tire, and then reinstalling the wheel. Not only is this a lot of work, but it can also be dangerous if you don’t do it right. That’s why we wrote this simple guide to changing a fat bike tire. It’s not the most scientific guide ever written, but it does the job and it’s easy to understand that how to change a fat bike tire.
In a Hurry? Here are The 13 Steps How To Change A Fat Bike Tire!
- Disconnect the brake cable
- Remove the wheel
- Remove the tire from the rim
- Unscrew the air valve cap and the air valve nut
- Pry the tire off the rim.
- Pull the inner tube
- Inspect the inside of the tire
- Inflate a replacement tube
- Set the inner tube back to the tire
- Put the tire back on the wheel
- Slowly fill the tire with air until it’s full
- Put the tire back in the fork
- Connect the brake cable
Tools Needed To Change Tires
You don’t need any special tools to change a tire. In fact, you probably have many of the tools you need right at your home, at your place of work or even in your vehicle. You can get an ordinary wrench or tool and use it to tighten or loosen things when you need to.
Here are some of the essential ones you’ll need.
| IMAGE | Name | Check Price | Approximate Price |
|---|---|---|---|
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$15 – $80 |
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$8 – $20 |
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$8 – $20 |
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$3 – $20 |
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$10 -$50 |
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$5- $30 |
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$8 – $20 |
Now We Will Discuss Step By Step
Step 1 : Disconnect The Brake Cable
The first step is to disconnect the brake cable. This will make it easier for you to remove the tire from the rim. To do this, you simply undo the two bolts that hold the brake caliper to the frame.
Then, pull it away from the bike. After that, pull the brake cable straight out from the caliper. Now, you should have a clear view of the cable and the inner tube that runs through it. Based on your bike you may have disc brakes, V-brakes or cantilever brakes. In all these cases, you need to remove the brake cable.
Step 2: Remove The Wheel
Remove the wheel using a large screwdriver or a wrench. Make sure you remove the locking nut first. Then, use the screwdriver or wrench to pry the wheel off the bike. When you do this, make sure you remove the spokes that are holding the tire on the rim. You should be able to just pull the tire off the rim with no trouble.
Step 3: Remove The Tire From The Rim
Next, remove the tire from the rim. There are two ways you can do this. The first way is to use a lug-nut remover or something similar. Basically, what this tool does is, it puts some kind of “friction” on the threads of the lug nuts. This makes it much easier to turn them. So, using one of these tools, simply unscrew the lug nuts and then pull the tire off the rim. The second option is to use a pair of channel-lock pliers.
Step 4: Unscrew The Air Valve Cap And The Air Valve Nut
To unscrew the cap and valve nut, simply use your fingers to grasp the nut from outside the tube and then pull it off. Make sure you don’t lose the washer that goes between the nut and the cap or else you’ll have to stop and get another one.
Step 5: Pry The Tire Off The Rim
Pry the tire off the rim of fat bike with a punch or channel-lock pliers. Use a punch or channel-lock pliers to pry the tire off the rim. It’s important not to damage the tube when doing this.
For fat bike tire replacement you don’t need any tire lever. It’s just removing the old tire by prying the tire off the rim.
Step 6: Pull The Inner Tube
Pull the inner tube out of the tire by grasping it with channel-lock pliers and pulling straight up. Don’t let go of the channel-lock pliers until you are certain you have all the way out. If you do this correctly, the tire will remain attached to the rim, and you should be able to pull the inner tube right out of the tire. Take extra care when pulling the tube from the tire.
Step 7: Inspect The Inside Of The Tire
Inspect the inside of the tire for cuts or other damage that may have occurred during storage. If you find any, patch them immediately. You can use a patch made by sewing together several patches or go to a store and buy a premade patch.
Step 8: Inflate A Replacement Tube
Inflate a replacement tube to the tire’s recommended pressure ( Read Fat Bike Tire Pressure).
Step 9: Set The Inner Tube Back To The Tire
Read this article about Top 8 Fat Bike Fork :With Comparison Chart here
Make sure the tube is properly installed by pushing it against the valve and then pulling slightly on the ends until you hear a ‘clack’.
Step 10: Put The Tire Back On The Wheel
Take the valve nut off the rim and reattach the valve. Put the tire back on the rim and make sure the tread is going forward. Align the rim with the tire, so the tread goes forward. Then find the air valve hole on the rim and line it up with the tire’s air valve.
To tighten the tire properly, put the valve through the hole, then screw the valve nut back on to hold the tire in place on the rim. Go around the tire and press the rubber on the rim.
Step 11: Slowly Fill The Tire With Air Until It’s Full
Now, fill the tire with air and check the pressure. It should be between 35 and 45 psi. If it’s not, remove the valve cap and poke a small pinhole in it with your finger. Blow into that pinhole until the pressure reaches the correct reading. Replace the cap and tighten it down real tight.
Step 12: Put The Tire Back In The Fork
Put the rear tire into the frame. Set the wheel in the frame by moving the tread forward. If the wheel has nuts, flip the quick release lever back into place to secure it.
To increase the life of your tires, always check the tire to make sure the valve is not clogged with dirt or debris. If it is, clean it out with a stiff wire or a credit card and reattach the valve. Do this every time you change your tires.
Step 13: Connect The Brake Cable
Finally! Reattach the brake cable to the caliper using the two provided locknuts. Tighten them down real good. That’s it. Your bike is ready to roll. Give it a test ride. Adjust the handlebars until they are in the correct position for you.
How Much Does It Cost To Replace A Fat Bike Tire?
Whereas a normal tire will cost about $100 to replace, a fat tire can run you up to $1,000 or more. So, if you ride a lot and have a set of fat tires that are getting a little hard to use, it may be time to get them repaired instead of replaced.
Replacing a tube in a normal tire will take about 15 minutes. Fixing a flat in a fat tire could easily take three times as long! The biggest factor in determining whether you should repair or replace your tires is how often you ride and how many miles you put on your tires.
What Are Some Tips For Replacing A Fat Bike Tire?
Replacing a fat bike tire is fairly simple, and there are a few things you need to watch out for. The first is that the bead seats (the little plastic things that hold the tire onto the rim) must be clean and tight.
Next, you must remove the wheel nut, then use a ratchet or extension cord to back the wheel off the fork.
Finally, you should remove the tire, and pull it straight up and off the rim. Then, you can replace it with the new one, re-install the wheel nut, and re-attach the wheel with the supplied tool. Make sure you do it right the first time, or else you could end up with a flat tire again!
Work Outside When Necessary
Try to work outside while changing your fat bike tire and, when possible, do it in the morning before the sun gets too hot. This will help prevent the bead from getting too hot and melting.
Store Bikes Inside Properly
It is important to keep your bikes inside during warm weather. This includes storing them on a rack or in an enclosed garage. You may want to consider using a protective cover over the rear wheel when the weather is cool.
It’s better to underinflate instead of over-inflate your tires.
This can cause air leaks and allow moisture into your tires. This could lead to flats or other problems. Check Your Bikes Air Compressors If you have a compressor that comes with your bike, check it every time you ride.
You should be able to test the pressure by putting the valve stem in the valve hole, and then holding it there.
How often should I replace my fat bike tire?
Replace the tire once a year. The tire is under pressure all the time, so it needs to be changed every year. if you ride more often, then change your tire after 2,000 – 3,000 miles
How long does it take to replace a fat bike tire?
It can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours to replace. The first time can be frustrating, but don’t fear. With a little practice, you’ll get it down to half an hour or less.
Generally, the front tire is easy to replace, but the back tire is a more difficult tire to replace. One more thing, this is not regular mountain bike tires. It is a much heavier tire. It’s true, the most time-consuming thing to do is to remove the tire from the rim, slide the valve stem into the hole, and then replace the tire back onto the rim.
Also Read : Are Fat Tire Mountain Bikes Better?
Do I need a special tire tool to change my fat bike tire?
No, you don’t need a special tire tool to change your fat bike tire.
However, if you don’t have a proper tire lever, you may find that it takes longer to change your tire. You can buy a tire lever at a bike shop or online for around $20-$30.
Can I use a regular bike tire instead of a fat tire?
No, a regular bike tire is not the correct size for a fat tire. A regular bike tire will have a much smaller diameter and will not provide the same traction that a fat tire provides.
What size tube do I need?
The tube size depends on your tire size. You can check your manual or check the size of your tire with a tape measure.
FAQ’s
How do I convert my fat bike tire to tubeless?
Most rims are not “tubeless ready”, but can be easily converted. Tubeless tires need to be purchased separately and replaced with your current tire.
Do fat bike tires have tubes?
Without a doubt, fat bikes use tubes. The purpose of tubes is to provide a softer ride for the rider. This gives the rider more control while going down a trail and helps prevent pinch flats.
How do you break the bead on a fat bike tire?
There are two ways to break the bead on a fat tire. The first way is to use a tire lever. You can purchase them at a local bike shop or online. A tire lever is a thin piece of metal that allows you to manually pull on the tire bead to break it. You can also break the bead by using a sharp object (like a tire iron) to poke a hole through the bead.
Is it easier to wheelie a Fat tire bike?
No, Fat bike Wheelies are much more challenging on a fat tired bike than on a traditional bike. The tires are much larger and provide much more friction. This makes it hard to get traction on the ground and harder to get up into the air.
Conclusions
Fat bikes are becoming increasingly popular. They are great for getting around the city, but replacing a tire on a fat bike can be difficult. There are a few tips you can use to make this process easier, but it’s not an easy task.
Through our 13 steps on how to change fat bike tires, we hope that you will be able to do it yourself. Thanks for reading and learning with us! Please leave us a comment if you have any questions about how to change fat bike tires, or if you need help yourself. We would love to help!
