Puncture Nightmare, Help!
philsheldon
Posts: 7
in General Chat
Hi,
Background blurb.... I have a reasonable idea how to fit inner tubes to avoid 'snake bite' and valve tear punctures, I keep the tyres at a good pressure, I've tried slime inner tubes (seemed ineffective) and fitted some continental gatorskin tyres. However, I still seem to be getting punctures, first one tonight in 3 weeks since I fitted the gatorskin tyres, but there's a slice in the rear tyre and I imagine it's going to start puncturing regularly. Prior to fitting the gatorskins I had 6 punctures in 10 journeys.
This is frustrating and I'm commuting 40 miles a day, so I really need a reliable set of tryes / tubes. Two questions if anyone can help;
Is there any way to patch the tyre i.e. a glue or patch to heal the slice in the tyre? I can't afford to be buying new tyres every couple of weeks. I'm thinking 'no more nails' for bike tyres?!
Is there such a thing as an affordable, solid tyre that doesn't use an inner tube?
Any other tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated as I'm starting to think that punctures are just an unavoidable nightmare....
Phil
Background blurb.... I have a reasonable idea how to fit inner tubes to avoid 'snake bite' and valve tear punctures, I keep the tyres at a good pressure, I've tried slime inner tubes (seemed ineffective) and fitted some continental gatorskin tyres. However, I still seem to be getting punctures, first one tonight in 3 weeks since I fitted the gatorskin tyres, but there's a slice in the rear tyre and I imagine it's going to start puncturing regularly. Prior to fitting the gatorskins I had 6 punctures in 10 journeys.
This is frustrating and I'm commuting 40 miles a day, so I really need a reliable set of tryes / tubes. Two questions if anyone can help;
Is there any way to patch the tyre i.e. a glue or patch to heal the slice in the tyre? I can't afford to be buying new tyres every couple of weeks. I'm thinking 'no more nails' for bike tyres?!
Is there such a thing as an affordable, solid tyre that doesn't use an inner tube?
Any other tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated as I'm starting to think that punctures are just an unavoidable nightmare....
Phil
0
Comments
I used to have this prob and generally while you changed tyres, as we don't know the type they might be a lower quality. I can't stress enough about a good set of tyres. I paid £30 a tyre for ones with kevlar as I had a similar prob. since changeing and keeping tyres at 100psi no punctures. touch wood.
I keep the tyres at 120 psi and I check that every day. The tyres that I replaced were the standard tyres that came on the bike, it's a focus cayo and the tyres were - Schwalbe Lugano.
Just before I replaced them, they were looking like they had gotten quite sliced up as well. They did seem to survive for 2 months though before it was a problem.
I have heard of people doing a temporary repair to a slice in the tyre with superglue!!! Never tried it myself and not sure I'd want to rely on it at 40mph downhill????
Might be worth a go though if you are just commuting on that tyre!
As you say, I've started cycling with my attention on the crap in the road and I've even started cycling a little further from the curb, as that's where most of the broken glass and the like seems to collect, next to the pavement.
What is rim tape? I've never heard of that...
Superglue, I'm going to give it a go
As for slime tubes and things like that.. i really dont know anyone who uses them? I have had almost new tyres rip on glass, frustrating but sadly part of the fun of cycling. I ride gaitor skins.
Maybe it's not the tyre, but something on the rim or similar? would it be worthwhile going to your LBS and have somebody look at it??
Ade
Just remember to change your tyres over before a race though or you'll struggle a bit.
If your lucky enough to have separate race wheels or a race bike then your laughing.
hat - any recommendation on a make / supplier for kevlar tyre liners?
Meanwhile, I've replaced the torn rear continental duraskin with a specialized armadillo tyre and so far so good... the armadillo certainly looks and feels tougher than the duraskin....
Days without incident: 1
Cheers