Removing and Refitting a Wheel

Almost every roadside repair starts here, and the rear wheel is the one that puts beginners off. Shift to the smallest rear sprocket first so the chain has slack, open a rim brake's quick release if it has one, then undo the quick-release lever, thru-axle or wheel nuts and guide the wheel past the derailleur. Refitting is the part worth practicing at home: the wheel must sit fully and squarely in the dropouts, the quick release or axle must be properly tight so the wheel cannot rock, and on disc brakes the rotor has to slide cleanly between the pads. Spin the wheel afterwards and check it runs straight without rubbing. Once this feels routine, punctures stop being frightening.