Emergency Tube Repair - tyre weld
 

Let's say that I've decided on the next trip I'm not going to attempt to change / repair my tubes if I get a puncture. Let's say I'm going to take a couple of spare tubes and should the worst happen I'll blast the bust tyre with tyre weld and then just get to the nearest garage and get the old tube removed and new one put in.

What brand / system would you recommend?

Holts?

m

None, that stuff has never worked for me and has let me down in embarassing situations.

My suggestion? Put alloy wheels on the bike, use tubeless tyres and tyre plugs and ditch that obsolete technology (tubes) asap.

I had a horrible feeling someone was going to suggest that :-/ Let's assume I don't have the cash to do that right now....

There is some discussion here: http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...lly-work-20675

Chris

Thanks Chris - I'd seen that but it's slightly different in that it's for tubless tyres rather than tubes and my understanding is that the tyre weld for each is quite different .... or do I have that wrong?

Also, just to be clear, I'm talking about tyre weld as a remedial action after a puncture rather than using something like ultraseal or slime as pre-puncture insurance... I've been advised to avoid that so I'm thinking about what happens if.... etc.

m

I was given a huge can of tube type Tyre Weld as a "just in case" spare for a Euro trip (Elephant rally) on a Honda C50. On the way back - the rear tyre went flat :(

Pumping the stuff in reinflated the tyre - for about two mins. We put more and more of the stuff in (this was a can about the size of a small fire extinguisher - probably intended for a van or something) to no effect.

Eventually the foam stuff was coming out the side of the tyre and all over the back of the bike. The tyre was still going flat after unscrewing the can. In the end we gave up and took the tube out; there was a small hole - probably from a nail (although no sign of the nail). It was entertaining but the foam was useless and the mess was incredible. I've never bothered with the stuff since.

Yes, a perfect description of my own experiences..... except for the African native standing at the side of the road laughing his insides out.

Hi Matt,

I had a puncture on my XT600E when I was down in Minehead on the way back to Reading (80 miles away ) on a Sunday late afternoon, this was before I sorted tyre levers and spare tubes etc. I walked to the nearest garage bought a can of Holts followed the instructions and it worked great. I took the back roads A4 etc home and kept the speed below 40 mph ( this is a bit faster from memory than recommended ).
Ideally you need centre stand,spanners tyre levers spare tubes and a small compressor etc, which is what i ended up carrying around everywhere - but as an emergency back up Holts worked fine for me.
Just my experience...

Happy Ridin'
Mike

I've seen Holts work from a new, freshly bought can. I've also seen the results from leaving a can in a metal pannier on a hot day. Take boots you can walk in? RAC card?

As for tubes been obsolete technology, I don't see why. I can change a tube in a tyre I fitted myself in minutes and it stays repaired indefinately. They are like anything else, let a quick-thick-fitup merchant near your bike and you can be stuffed by unloobed rims, tubeless tyres with tubes inside, gloop that stops the plugs working and so on. Know your bike and carry the kit is the only answer IMHO.

Andy

The only time I've ever tried that stuff, it didn't work at all. Generic brand made for car tyres. I wouldn't want to rely on anything with such a dodgy track recorld, that might work, or might not.

The only guaranteed way to deal with tube punctures is to be equipped to fix them properly. Once you get the knack of it it's an easy and painless process. If you haven't got the gear or the knowhow to use it, you're stranded. Trying to rely on slime or aerosol foam stuff is a game of chance.

Thanks everyone - all really useful to know.

I can change the tube and repair and all that jazz, I'm just wondering if it's really worth the hassle for my next little run down to Budapest and back. Lots of garages around - easy peasy ;-)

m

Tyre sealants etc are all okay as long as you only get a small hole in the tube, anything larger and you're wasting your time and money.

If you're serious about riding any sort of distance, especially in remote areas or by yourself, then the ability to replace tubes and tyres by the roadside is one of the best skills you can learn. Practice at home and sort out what tools and techniques work best for you, don't wait for a puncture to happen first........

I've had a 3" gash in the sidewall of a rear tyre on an R1200GS on a trail in the Pyrenees, got going again by stuffing a spare 18" in to the 17" wheel, all without removing the wheel from the bike.

Hi Steve - thanks for that.

I'm not suggesting it as a complete alternative - just that the next run is only down to Budapest and whilst I can quite easily change my tubes and tyres, repair punctures and all the rest - I'm not sure on a run that's 100% tarmac and good European roads that I want to mess around with it. So it's good to get a cross section of views on tyre weld and see if it's really something that could almost get me out of a scrape ;-) !

Although of course I have European RAC cover so worst case senario I'm stuck in the alps for a day or two bier that could be a real shame. Perhaps I will leave the tyre irons behind!

It's really interesting to read the different experiences - I'm getting the impression it really does just depend on the level of repair needed - small puncture - you're okay - anything larger - screwed...

@Threewheelbonnie I'm getting the impression old stuff in a can in a hot pannier doesn't work so well ? :innocent:

m

matt,your best bet is to use the thickest tubes you can buy and fit new tyres, that way you,d be very unlucky to get any punctures.
I, m afraid with tube tyres theres no easy way ,if you do get a puncture.