Question on Bicycle Tyres

Off-topic
1

Hi All

I have been trying to find out some information on repairing bicycle tyres (not tubes).

I have a fairly new tyre on my bicycle (about 1,500km) and at $80 AUD a pop I am not keen on replacing it if I can repair small cuts in it.

I was wondering if anyone out there has had any experience or knows of a way to plug these small cuts. I have tried searching the web but the general feel is to just replace the tyre.

So any help will be appreciated.

Thanks

James

2

what do you mean by small cuts? was the tire punctured by thorns or is it an actual tear in the material. If the sidewall or another part of the tire is torn such that your getting a bulge in the tire I would get a new tire.

If your running tubeless tires you patch the tire just like you would a tube only do it from the inside only do not sand the tire down before applying glue. If you have tubes just make sure the tire is free from any sharp objects and inflate as usual.

If it is the bead that is damaged I dont think there is anything you can do to repair it.

Check out this site for pix of the process…

Plugs are another option

http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/13954-343_GENTR5-5-New_Arrivals--/Genuine-Innovations-Tubeless-Tire-Repair-Kit.htm

3

The tyres are Continental GP 3000 (http://www.conti.com.au/race_more.asp?CatID=3), I have a few small cuts in the tread area from glass, but I picked up a slightly bigger one on the weekend. It would be 5-8mm long and it does cause the tyre to bulge out slightly when it is in inflated.

I may try putting a patch on the inside of the tyre, but I am not sure if it would stick as I don’t think there is a lot of rubber on the inside.

This is for a road bike, so the tyres are quite narrow and it will be quite tricky to get a decent sized patch in there.

Thanks for your advice though, I will consider it.

James

4

I actually used to run thoes same tires on my road bike, i dont think a patch would work, you can try but I think you probably are going to have to suck it up and get a new tire.

If your tires are less than 3 months old you might try to take them back

from continental website

5

Get some of the epoxy that comes in the two seperate tubes (holds like a mofo)- rty using that, or if all else fails, use duct tape:D

6

this is a unicycle forum, you should use superglue

7

Glue?

Epoxy or really hard glue work well if it is just a little scar in the tyre. Just remember to be generous!

If it’s a huge hole, I would have bought a new tyre or contacted somebody in the bycycling buisness and ask for advice.