How to Patch a Bicycle Inner Tube

This video will guide you through the necessary steps for repairing a bicycle inner tube using a patch kit, including self-adhesive patches, vulcanizing patches, and tire boots. We will also diagnose potential causes of damaged tubes, to help avoid getting more flats in the future.

Questions or comments? Leave them below!


Video contents:
00:00 Preliminary Info
00:55 Inspection
03:04 Tire Repair - Emergency Tire Boot
03:52 Tube Repair Prep
04:22 Tube Repair - Pre-Glued Patch
04:54 Tube Repair - Vulcanizing Patch

➤ Tools & materials used:
• Marker or other method of marking hole
• Patch kit:
- TB-2 Emergency Tire Boot -


➤ Fix It:
Did you know that Park Tool is the #1 resource for bicycle repair education?

➤ About Park Tool:
Since our founding in 1963, Park Tool has been the leading name in bicycle tools. Our YouTube channel is an extension of our mission to be the ultimate resource for mechanics and riders of all skill levels. Here you will find comprehensive repair help tutorials for a wide range of components and processes, as well as troubleshooting guides, tips and tricks, and information on the latest Park Tool products.

➤ More Tire & Tube Repair Help:

[jimsjacob]

I ride all the time and have had a ton of flats. I’d add one caveat to this excellent video. DON’T carry a patched tube as your spare. When I get home, I promptly repair the replaced tube from my ride and swap it out with the NEW tube I used while on the road. I put the non punctured tube back in my carry bag. I was once stranded in the middle of nowhere because the tube patch failed and that’s not the place to discover this. Just my thoughts based on actual real life adventures.

[lifestyle]

idk where I would be cycling wise without these videos. thanks for being there parktool. my dad wasn't around much and here I am in adult hood trying to figure shit out on my own.

[jonathanbecker]

I've returned several times to this video - it's been of much aid in dispiriting moments. Thank you, and my compliments to your magnificent mustache.

[originalvonster]

Thank you, I was struggling to get the clear film off the patch, didn’t realise it’s supposed to stay on.

[spencerliu]

This channel has helped me so much as I started cycling

[raminazad]

Thank you for a great more video. I had a suggestion about patching, i normally do all steps as you mentioned above but an step further, that is ; before applying the patch on the inner tube i inflate the tube to a diameter equal to the bore diameter of tire itself, then apply the patch, push the patch by fingers and wait for about one minute، then deflate the tube and insert it as you mentioned.
This minimizes the stretching of the patch while inflating the tube with high psi and prevent it from detaching and lengthens patch stability. 👍

[AndyZE]

I noticed that I had a puncture in the front tyre of my Moulton on the way back from the supermarket. Prepared as always I whipped out my brand new, unused Park Tool puncture repair kit and prepared the inner tube for a patch. Opening the tube of rubber adhesive compound I found the tube to be sealed, but completely empty, In the manufacturing process something had obviously gone wrong. Fortunately on this occasion I had a spare inner tube, which saved the day. I decided to go further up the food chain of puncture repair kits and bought the highly recommended Rema TT02 kit. This is my second one and Rema are at the top of their game as they fill their adhesive compound tubes with more than air! You actually get the adhesive!

[olmabalt]

Thank you for great video! Another small tip is always placing tube valve somewhere under the middle of the tire label when initially installing the tube. When you find a puncture and align punctured tube valve to the middle of tire label then you know where on the tire or rim a place possible puncture cause is to inspect it more thoroughly.

[theovansteijn]

Never was able to fix a flat with a pre glued patch. I always used the old fashioned ones .The rest is easy. I, m Dutch so I fixed a lot.

[diegosuarez]

I had to learn this when I was ten. You learn to repair stuff when your poor.

[Sionnach]

Great tips!
Great video: well shot, well edited, well directed, very well presented. Also no waffle or padding in the narrative, just straight to the point. Thank you very much. Though I'm a very experienced biker, I still picked up some fantastic useful tips like
- the 'crosshairs' marking the hole, and not just the 'ring' which I'd been doing which became obscured by the glue
- the leaving of the plastic sheath on the outside of the patch to reduce friction on the patch (I always worried that it would 'pull' the patch off, how wrong was I!)
- not inflating the tube to usual pressure outside the tyre. I long suspected this might be the case where the bond is weakened due to no support from the tyre, but wasn't sure. Thank you too for confirming that for me.
Overall, excellent, excellent video.
Why can't all '"How to" videos be as overall well-done as this??!!

[lemonster]

Good detailed info that many cyclists don't know. Thanks Calvin!

[zachgoll]

These videos are so good. Simple, straightforward, great production. What a YouTube instructional video should be!

[bansheep]

This guy is the Hickock45 of the bicycle world.

[ianluis]

If it wasn't for your video, I'd probably have not looked for the thorn still embedded within the tyre and have gotten another picture. Thanks ever so much for posting this video!

[katakis]

Great video! Fixed my first flat tire without any major hiccups.

[blueukeguy]

I'm patching my bike’s tube in this exact moment and this video was the best tutorial one. Thank you!

[RichEstlick]

I prefer to use the stick on patches. Just peel off from the backing and apply to the tube. No messing around with glue and waiting for it to go off. Works very well.

[Ranar]

Always watch these even if it's a topic I think I know. There is always at least a tiny nugget of new wisdom in them.

[MiguelLopez-phqb]

I was doing it wrong this whole time, I put the patch right after I put the glue. Thank you 🙏