The next thing you want to do is remove the wheel that you’ve lifted. If you have an owner’s manual, this is a good time to refer to it for all the specific details. If not, don’t worry. The key is to lift the bike and remove the axle. This will allow the wheel to come free.

Once you remove the wheel, you should deflate the it. The best way to do this is by removing the valve stem core from the valve stem. Make sure to do this with a specialized tool rather than pliers or anything like that. Your local bike shop probably holds the right kind of tools for this. Anything other than that could potentially damage the valve stem.

You can also draw an arrow at the edge of your rim to mark the direction of the spin. This is optional and is usually recommended to bikers who are doing this for the first time.

The next is breaking the bead that holds the tire and rim together. Use a bench top vise for narrow tires. For larger ones, especially on the rear wheel, you’re probably better off with a special bead breaker.

A bead breaker with integrated spoons is often the best choice through any specialized tool would work. Avoid using a hammer since that could damage the rim before it would loosen.

If it’s not going as easily, you can use a silicone lubricant to help the process. The lubricant allows the tire to slip off the rim much easier. Spray it on each time you expose some of the beads. You could use some Windex for this as well if you don’t have any silicone lubricant at hand.

Once you break the bead, you should lever the first side with spoons. Some kits come with small spoons, but we recommend you to use a long spoon. In most cases, it simply makes the job easier. Using the hooked end, slide the spoon between the rim and the tire. Pill the end of the iron towards the center of the rim which should then pull the edge over it.

If you have spoked wheels with tubes, you want to remove them as well. Unbolt the stem from the rim and get the tube out carefully. Do the same process using the same tools and techniques to lever off the other side.

This is an excellent time to look into the rim for any debris and traces of corrosion. Take some time to clean the inside well especially if you have steel rims because those are quite prone to corrosion. If there’s rust, scrub it with a cordless drill and a wire brush. If not, use any method of your choice. Once you’ve cleaned them thoroughly, you should spray on a corrosion inhibitor for some added protection.