On-Trail Tire Repair Question

[AZPI]

Is it common to have an off-road tire puncture so severe that using the sticky rope tire repair kit or something similar isn't enough? Is it common to have to remove the tire and use an internal patch?

Has this happened to you, how often? If so, any specials tricks or difficulties that popped up?

 

[limey]

I blew the side wall out of a rear Heidenau a few years ago that could not be repaired even had a tube with me. So I ended up being stranded up in Radisson Quebec for 6 days until I got a tire delivered. With motel, tire and shipping ended up being a $1000 flat.

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[AZPI]

I blew the side wall out of a rear Heidenau a few years ago that could not be repaired even had a tube with me. So I ended up being stranded up in Radisson Quebec for 6 days until I got a tire delivered. With motel, tire and shipping ended up being a $1000 flat.

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Any idea how it happened? What object you hit that did it? Did you hear it happen?

 

[limey]

Any idea how it happened? What object you hit that did it? Did you hear it happen?

I was hoping you wouldn’t ask. It was my own stupid fault I should have stoped earlyer than I did, the road was really rough and the backen felt a bit spongy and by the time I pulled over the tire was destroyed. Very expensive mistake and being stranded for 6 days with a TV that had 1 English Channel. And I do carry all the tools and 2 tubes just in case the tire can’t be fixed.

 

[AZPI]

I was hoping you wouldn’t ask. It was my own stupid fault I should have stoped earlyer than I did, the road was really rough and the backen felt a bit spongy and by the time I pulled over the tire was destroyed. Very expensive mistake and being stranded for 6 days with a TV that had 1 English Channel. And I do carry all the tools and 2 tubes just in case the tire can’t be fixed.

So do you carry an internal patch kit and all the tools needed to change remove and replace a tire from the bike and rim? I'm a newb to tubeless tires so I'm very interested.

 

[limey]

I always carry sticky worms and compressor and full set of tools and if I’m on a long trip like Alaska I carry 2 tubes.

 

[EricV]

@Limey - Serves you right for going that far North in Quebec. Nothing up there but Moose and Mosquitos.

I've had lots of road and trail flats, but never anything I couldn't repair with sticky strings. Once repaired a 10mm size hole in another riders tubeless tire with 3 sticky strings. Up Salmon Glacier road outside Hyder, AK. He rode it back to Hyder that day with me following, then to Smithers the next day to get a new tire. (200+ miles). He came back to Hyder later that day, which is why I know the repair held up.

I've seen a few knarly repairs of cuts with a combo of sticky strings and Stop and Go mushroom plugs. I now carry 2 from the inside mushroom permanent plugs with me. Like THIS

 

[magic]

So do you carry an internal patch kit and all the tools needed to change remove and replace a tire from the bike and rim? I'm a newb to tubeless tires so I'm very interested.

I carry everything I need to change a tire. Most of the time a sticky strip and an air compressor will get you home or to a dealer. Don't forget an axle nut wrench and something to break the bead. Also, include some slippery goop to seat the bead when you remount your tire. You may never need this stuff, but may run into someone that does.

 

[BaldKnob]

I had to use two strings to limp me home on one occasion. Tire was a well used Shinko 805. I had the stuff to fix it but my only one string wasn't enough and waited hours for AMA Roadside to retrieve me. Fortunately, the driver had some strings and then followed me into town.

 

[AZPI]

I carry everything I need to change a tire. Most of the time a sticky strip and an air compressor will get you home or to a dealer. Don't forget an axle nut wrench and something to break the bead. Also, include some slippery goop to seat the bead when you remount your tire. You may never need this stuff, but may run into someone that does.

So what are you loosening the axle nuts with on the trail?

 

[limey]

So what are you loosening the axle nuts with on the trail?

I think it’s 27mm

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[Don in Lodi]

Is it common to have an off-road tire puncture so severe that using the sticky rope tire repair kit or something similar isn't enough? Is it common to have to remove the tire and use an internal patch?

Has this happened to you, how often? If so, any specials tricks or difficulties that popped up?

I repaired my first flat in 40 some-odd years of riding a couple months ago. Took two plugs, coulda used a third, got me home, tire was flat again by the time the new tire arrived. Wrecked a nice 50% K60. I was bummed. :'(

 

[limey]

Had another flat this summer coming of the Dalton Hwy Alaska that 3 plugs and had it replaced 2 days later in Anchorage for $275 and that was with me removing the rear wheel.

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[markjenn]

I don't challenge the terrain that much on 650-lb bikes (or run very low tire pressures), but in 20 or so years of adventure riding, I've never had a flat that wasn't pluggable. I do carry enough tools to be able to remove a wheel, but that has more to do with needing to replace a worn-out tire on tour rather than repair. I don't carry a tube or internal patch kit. YMMV.

- Mark

 

[Checkswrecks]

I'll carry a tube on big trips but generally not. I do always carry sticky string, a compressor, and enough tools to remove the wheel.


As a commuter and backing to the curb daily in DC, I'll occasionally pick up a screw or something and am glad to have the repair kit handy.

 

[Ironhand]

I have had to use multiple sticky string-type plugs as a "get home" repair also. I would much rather do that or even carry a tube to stuff in the tire as a last ditch vs a patch, which I wouldn't want to deal with on the side of the trail or road.

 

[AZPI]

Thanks for the info to all who replied. I've concluded i will start carrying the tools needed to r/r the tires and a tube. Thanks again!

 

[Cycledude]

In over 700,000 miles riding motorcycles I’ve had about 5 flat tires, all were easily repaired with the sticky rope type plugs. I do carry the tools required to remove the wheels, i highly recommend the harbor freight extendable ratchet. https://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-drive-extendable-ratchet-62311.html I’ve also fixed a few tires for other riders with sticky rope type plugs, but when I run across a rider with a bike that requires inertubes unfortunately there ain’t much I can do, it’s very unlikely that I will ever buy another bike that uses inertubes.

 

[worncog]

I carry a Motopump compressor, at least ten tire worms, a large tube of glue, three or four round tire patches, long tire irons, MotionPro Bead Pro set, Motion Pro combo 27mm tire wrench, and a spare tube. Also have redundant towing plans. Seems like a bit much, but I wander the country, typically solo, and have been known to have a flat or two.

Attached pic was during the BigTex Rally, where I picked up a circus tent size nail on the C10 and dnf'ed just forty miles from the finish. The tire laughed at the five plugs I put in it, and the small Slime compressor was not up to the task.

All that said...if you ride legally, stay out of the median and off the shoulder, keep your pressures up to spec, replace tires when worn down, and don't run over things, you could ride decades with zero tire issues. BUT, the one thing that can leave you stranded, is a cut tire. Coming from a cycling background, I learned that you can repair tire cuts with a strong backer material. My emergency tire kit on the Tenere, for long hauls and off piste adventure riding, includes a 600 denier cordura tent floor mat that can be cut to fit and reinforce a tire cut as well as providing a working surface for tire removel/installations. Again, an extreme scenario, but I ride BDR's and intend on riding the new Mackenzie Highway up in the Northwest Territory next June. Gotta plan for the worst. YMMV.

 

[limey]

@Limey - Serves you right for going that far North in Quebec. Nothing up there but Moose and Mosquitos.

I've had lots of road and trail flats, but never anything I couldn't repair with sticky strings. Once repaired a 10mm size hole in another riders tubeless tire with 3 sticky strings. Up Salmon Glacier road outside Hyder, AK. He rode it back to Hyder that day with me following, then to Smithers the next day to get a new tire. (200+ miles). He came back to Hyder later that day, which is why I know the repair held up.

I've seen a few knarly repairs of cuts with a combo of sticky strings and Stop and Go mushroom plugs. I now carry 2 from the inside mushroom permanent plugs with me. Like THIS

Not the friendliest place to be stranded , I even went to the local bump to look for a used tire with no luck.


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