mending a split tyre on the road

TheGreatGatsby

anyone got any suggestions on how the best way to temporarily fix a split tyre when you're out on the road?

I have just noticed I have quite a nasty gash in my rear tyre and am trying to prepare for the worst for my commute home so any suggestions would be greatly received.

Gats

LangerDan

This is a bit like Apollo 13 - what have you got to hand? I've patched a split with a piece of tube, slit open and glued to the inside of the tyre. I've also used a few layers of duct tape on another occasion. When you do patch it, dont go crazy on the air pressure.

andyrr

My advice is to find one of these plasticy-foil type drinks containers /sachets (Calypo ?) and cut a section of that. The material is flexible and shouldn't be prone to damaging the inner tube yet it is fairly resistant to wear so won't hole easily. I;ve used this a few times before. At worst by one for less than £1 and cut it to bits.

Kléber

A bank note is good, it won't tear. At best, a few leaves can be layered to get you home but some plastic from a gel wrapper or something equally stiff yet flexible is good. Ideally take a proper sidewall patch with your spare tube and tyre levers for this purpose, there's almost no weight penalty but it will get you home.

Slow Downcp

Crisp packets supposedly work - although never tried myself - fold it over to the size you want, put into the tyre, and fit to the rim with the packet sticking out both ends of the tyre, and then trim.

padonbike

Back in the days when MTBs had brakes that acted on the rims :shock: , you could usually count on something getting caught between the brake block and the tyre wall every once in a while, with the result that the tyre wall got ripped.
You only needed this to happen once to learn to carry provisions. The best thing was a section cut from a round bottle of Fairy Liquid washing up liquid, but I think they've gone to a "modern" shape and are no longer round.
In any case an appropriate sized strip of plastic is still a lightweight and essential bit of kit for both road bike and MTB.

Eat My Dust

If you've got any spare inner tubes handy, cut one up and use several layers to build up a bit of protection over the slash. I've done this a couple of times and it works a treat. You can still keep the tyre pressure up as well.

nferrar

I carry Park tyre boots with me along with the spare tube and patches. http://www.evanscycles.com/products/par ... t-ec005509

canamdad

Last week I ran over something in the road and punctured about 1/4 mile later. Took the tyre off and pulled out a few sharp embedded objects which I figured was the problem but when I had a few pump strokes back into the new inner tube, I took another look to check that the tyre bead was seated and discovered two gashes in the sidewall and tread with the tube working its way through. My efforts to put a folded up fiver over the cuts were unsuccessful - the tube just blew its way around it. So I resolved myself to walk back to the nearest town- Gerards Crossing-a mile away- and buy a new tyre with my Maestro card which for some reason I had taken with me. But no cycle shop to be found there according to everyone I asked. I pondered my options and finally found a hardware store where I bought some duct tape (gaffer's tape I think they call it here) and a sheet of that steel mesh that is used for repairing rust holes in car bodies. Borrowed the store's scissors to cut a few rectangles out of the mesh and then taped it into the inside of the tyre. Got about 50 psi in the tyre and made it home. Now have a few pieces of this mesh with tape over it in my patch kit which will at least save me the walk next time!

Ken Night

TheGreatGatsby wrote:

anyone got any suggestions on how the best way to temporarily fix a split tyre when you're out on the road?

I have just noticed I have quite a nasty gash in my rear tyre and am trying to prepare for the worst for my commute home so any suggestions would be greatly received.

Gats

Even on a normal road ride, I carry a small pack which includes couple of spare chain links, a quick link, a couple of allen bolts and nuts, some washers, a couple of zip ties, a self adhesive puncture patch and sandpaper about the size of a postage stamp, and a small section of inner tube

Weighs about 20g and took about 5 mins to assemble, and lives in the pack with my multitool and spare inner.........saved me on a couple of occasions, and as importantly, saved others too

As you've just experienced, you can't predict what will happen

TheGreatGatsby

Thanks for the tips guys - I had a feeling that gaffer tape and an innertube situation may suffice. I've never had the misfortune of having my tyre split before but always always ride with at least 2 spare tubes, self adhesive patches, park tools, electrical tape, couple of zip ties, levers and pump just in case.

I shall see if it will get me home but will stock up on gaffer tape and metallic drinks pouches just in case!

Thanks again

Gats

Al_38

Alternatively you can try using the plastic packaging from a tube of tooth paste and some tape. The tooth paste plastic is pretty strong and should see you home with little problem. Should probably lower pressures in the tyre slightly though.

Al

Garry H

Wrap the tube in a polythene bag, at the point where the tyre is split.

mididoctors

i carry a length of old tyre with the beading trimed off ...worn folding 23 mm about 4inches worth packed tight with my spare tube...

you can inflate to near normal pressures for hefty splits

Diogenes

One of our old club guys always has a piece of damp course (the stuff they use as the damp proof course on a building) material in his bag. I have seen it in action ans it works a treat.

D

TheGreatGatsby

well I made it home through my 26 mile commute without incident so pretty stoked on that. I think I was lucky though cos when I checked the tyre when I got in the inner tube was poking through it - another couple of miles and I'd have been stuffed I reckon.

Am now fully prepared for the future if it should happen again though thanks to the advice from you guys.

Gats

andrewgturnbull

Hi there.

I had a used train ticket holding my tyre together all last winter - I'd forgotten it was in there until I changed tyres in the spring.

Cheers, Andy

normanp

I have used the same as mididoctors - only needed once when I ploughed through a pile of gravel at the foot of Watership Down - but it worked fine to finish the ride. I always carry it.