Originally Posted by
greatscott
Have you ever seen a Park Tire boot? That patch I'm guessing is roughly a mm thick, and it's a waterproof vinyl membrane with fiber weave reinforcement (taken right from the Park site). This patch you can't tear with your hands, though you can cut it with scissors but it takes a more effort than cutting paper or a dollar bill or a candy wrapper, which both the dollar and the candy wrapper I can easily tear with my hands, and I can easily poke a needle through those but can't poke a needle at all with the patch. ...
A boot only needs to maintain enough structural integrity of the tire to keep its innards in place. Your description of the Park Boot brings the term 'overkill' to mind. I don't think dollar bills ($0.72 in 2019) are in much danger from the Park competition.
Originally Posted by
greatscott
I once tore a tire so bad, a Conti tire where the sidewall got torn about an inch which blew the tube of course, I had to stuff the tire with weeds, I actually made it home that way!
Your experience matches mine. I have Conti tires on a C&V Raleigh Road Racer. I didn't want to convert it to 700C and Conti is one of very few still making narrow section tires in the 27" size. Both those tires needed boots in the first riding season! There is so much love online for Conti tires notwithstanding the universal acknowledgement of their ... 'delicacy'. I don't get it. I won't ever buy Conti tires again.
Originally Posted by
greatscott
As far as my higher authority goes...
The statement was rhetorical actually. But I'm glad you are happy with your choice of Deity. Myself I am a free agent at the moment. I am shopping for a 'Higher Power' that will deal with my ex-wife. Gruesomely. The tire thing I have already figured out: Bontrager Hardcase series clinchers.