Tandem Tom

Other than tubes and patches what else do you bring for tire repair? While riding tonight with a group one guy mentioned having a sidewall tear?

wahoonc

Something to use as a tire boot. I used to have some duct tape wrapped tight that I kept in my repair kit. I have used a piece of cardboard, a $5 bill, note cards, duct tape and part of an old tire. This was on the old skin wall tires, I assume it will work on the new stuff too. I haven't had to boot a tire in years, mainly since I switched to the nicer kevlar belted tires.

Aaron

Cyclebum

Yep, tire boot material always in my kit. Gorilla Tape and Park Tool boots. Tiny volume for piece of mind.

znomit

Seatposts are great for this. Personally I usually have a 10$ bill in the seatbag but carry a Park Tools boot on epic missions.

staehpj1

I usually have a few feet of high grade duct tape, but you can generally scrounge something to use as a boot. So yea a good idea to carry, but given the relative rarity of sidewall tears and the ability to find something to make do it isn't a high priority.

leelovesbikes2

I've even seen a banana skin used to boot a torn tyre! Park Tools do a specific piece of plastic which I've carried for about 10 years and never needed it.

Leeches, proper glue and patches kit, & levers (although try to do it without) is all you need. Although I've found technique is much more important than tools to ensure a repair lasts, including making sure the cause of the puncture isn't still present in the tyre, and that the tyre bead is properly seated upon reinflation

Carbonfiberboy 

I always have a spare tire, even when I'm sport riding. For sure when touring. Doesn't need to be the same as your regular tire, just something that will get you a couple hundred miles. Of course tubes, patches, and boot material. Park makes a decent boot material kit. Can't imagine why one wouldn't bring it.

LeeG

Make sure your tube of glue isn't dried up.

indyfabz

A pump.

robow

We Have a Winner!

sstorkel

Spare tube, patch kit with glue (not pre-glued patches; heat ruins the glue), boot material ($1 bill or Clif Bar/Powerbar wrapper in my case), duct tape. On tour I also carry a spare 700x25 tire; the smallest size that will fit my rims. Used to think the duct tape and spare tire were overkill... until I had the bead separate from the sidewall on a Continental tire. Ended up hiking for a mile before a kind motorist gave my bike and I a lift back to an area with cell phone reception.

seeker333

+1, don't use pre-glued patches, they usually come unglued later on down the road.

wahoonc

Just happened to me this week on a hybrid. I have no clue where the self stick patch came from, because I don't use them.

Aaron

robow

How is it that we have incredible adhesives used in keeping a plane in the sky but can't keep a patch on a tube? I still can't figure out why this hasn't been solved.

djyak

Besides the standard patch kit (patches, glue), I also carry electrical tape (stretches) and I've even used pine tar/sap then wrapped it in electrical tape in a pinch before. It wasn't a very big hole, but certainly did the trick where I was at the time. Gotta love Mother Nature sometimes.

indyfabz

"They got metal on the space shuttle that can go around the moon and withstand temperatures up to 20,000 degrees. You mean to tell me you don't think [Cadillac] can make an El Dorado where the f**ing bumper don't fall off?"--Chris Rock

fuzz2050

I've carried a square of tyvek, about 12 by 12. Most of the time, I used it as a clean place to arrange my tools, but it could have been used as a boot if need be.

becnal

What do I bring for tire repair? Nothing, because I have Schwalbe marathon plus tires and have never needed tire repair.

gpsblake

A multi-bike tool, pump, pliers, and gorilla tape... Something like this for the bike tool
https://www.amazon.com/Topeak-Alien-2...ke+tool+repair

robow

Lest ye beware, as now you have surely brought about the wrath of the God Flattius by making that statement aloud!

Northwestrider

+1 for a tire boot, and for prevention I have a small pick on my multi tool used to dig out bits of glass etc from the tire before they cause problems while on tour.

bemoore

I flatted a Marathon Plus once. Had a screw punch through. On the rear. I'm guessing the front kicked it up.

stevepusser

A patch kit and some Tyvek, but I use Super/Krazy glue alone to fix almost all my punctures. The stuff sticks the sides of thorn, wire, or small glass cuts/ holes together permanently, just like it will your fingers. The patch kit is for rare large holes, such as large nails.

Cyclebum

Nearly all my flats have been from shredded wire. So you're saying that a touch of super glue on the hole will close it as good as a patch?

unterhausen

overnight mail pouches are made of tyvek, I suspect most offices have a used one you could scrounge to use as a boot. Let your conscience be your guide