tyre valve.

esuhl

I tried Slime once, but trying to fix a puncture larger than Slime can cope with is a nightmare. You end up covered in Slime if you try to deflate the inner tube.

I got some decent-quality inner-tubes (Continental) and folding/kevlar tyres (excellently grippy Kenda Nevegal DTC ones) and rarely get punctures. Maybe one a year -- then it's only a 5 or 10 minute job to patch it anyway.

daivid

0 punctures in 5 years on my 'best' bike running Continental GP4000s at 100psi, my 'hack' bike had a couple as I was using some very cheap tyres - switched to Hutchinson Equinox (I'd classify as mid range winter tyres) and no problems since. Tyres for all modes of transport have improved hugely, my Dad used to get loads of puntures on his commute and I remeber many childhood journeys being interrupted by a wheel change.
Quality innertubes are a must in my opinion - no use having a bombproof tyre if the tube splits and lets all the air out... I would agree that with a spare innertube and gas pump a flat tyre can be fixed within 5 minutes - 1 minute is possible if you are very nimble and practised.

brat

daivid wrote: »

0 punctures in 5 years on my 'best' bike running Continental GP4000s at 100psi, my 'hack' bike had a couple as I was using some very cheap tyres - switched to Hutchinson Equinox (I'd classify as mid range winter tyres) and no problems since. Tyres for all modes of transport have improved hugely, my Dad used to get loads of puntures on his commute and I remeber many childhood journeys being interrupted by a wheel change.
Quality innertubes are a must in my opinion - no use having a bombproof tyre if the tube splits and lets all the air out... I would agree that with a spare innertube and gas pump a flat tyre can be fixed within 5 minutes - 1 minute is possible if you are very nimble and practised.

Conti 4000s are my tyre of choice too. I've been using fairly cheap and cheerful Conti tubes too - no fuss...

daivid

I could have been clearer regarding inner-tubes, I would class the standard continental tubes as a quality product (the ones I use incidentally). What I think one should avoid are the very cheap options from Tesco/halfords/thrift shops/that came as standard with the bike...

brat

daivid wrote: »

I could have been clearer regarding inner-tubes, I would class the standard continental tubes as a quality product (the ones I use incidentally). What I think one should avoid are the very cheap options from Tesco/halfords/thrift shops/that came as standard with the bike...

I agree, I think the conti tubes are excellent. I buy 10 at a time to save a bit, but I don't bother repairing them, I bin them whenever I get a puncture. Not very mse I know, and there are some decent repair patches out there, but for 3 or 4 quid, I prefer putting new rubber in every time.

fred246

I used to do the same until I discovered the Rema Tip Top puncture repair kit. The tube is as good as new after a repair (which I do at home, not in the street). The kits are all german products - I never understand that as every other company would say 'designed in Germany - made in China'. It upsets me now to think of how many tubes I binned that could have been easily repaired.

brat

fred246 wrote: »

I used to do the same until I discovered the Rema Tip Top puncture repair kit. The tube is as good as new after a repair (which I do at home, not in the street). The kits are all german products - I never understand that as every other company would say 'designed in Germany - made in China'. It upsets me now to think of how many tubes I binned that could have been easily repaired.

I should do this, I know. But my mate who repairs his tubes seems to get many more flats than me. So I take the hit. I'll have a look at your suggestion though.

I have on average two to three punctures a year. That's about £8 -£12 worth of tubes. I can live with that.

Johnmcl7

I also find the Continental inner tubes work well, no punctures since replacing Bontrager inner tubes which I didn't find any good.

Is this the Rema puncture kit you're recommending:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/rema-tip-top-puncture-repair-patches/

John

sniggings

Johnmcl7 wrote: »

Is this the Rema puncture kit you're recommending:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/rema-tip-top-puncture-repair-patches/

John

I use the park tools puncture kit, not had one leak, even when repaired on the road,in wet conditions.

fred246

You first need to buy a kit like this:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rema-Tip-Top-TT02-Touring-Road-Mountain-Bike-Tyre-Inner-Tube-Puncture-Repair-Kit-/331198829955?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item4d1cfd1583
You then just buy cement and patches as required to keep your kit topped up.