Tire has small cut (flap), new tire?
04-19-10, 10:14 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Morrisville, NC
Posts: 141
Bikes: Raleigh Mojave 4.0, Univega Via Carisma
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Tire has small cut (flap), new tire?
I got a flat this morning on the way to work and upon inspecting the tire it has a cut in it which caused a small flap (about half my pinkie finger nail).
Is the tire done? What can I do to fix the tire or to keep using it?
Is the tire done? What can I do to fix the tire or to keep using it?
04-19-10, 10:22 AM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times
in
1,417 Posts
As long as the fibers underneath are intact, the tire is rideable. You'll have a vulnerable spot obviously if the flap is open. It's possible you can close up the flap with superglue or vulcanizing liquid.
04-19-10, 10:26 AM
#3
Galveston County Texas
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: In The Wind
Posts: 33,221
Bikes: 02 GTO, 2011 Magnum
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1350 Post(s)
Liked 1,243 Times
in
621 Posts
You can try to save the tire.
Glue the outside with superglue.
Glue a boot on the inside.
I use cut pieces from a strong mailing envelop, that has threads inside as in a dollar bill.
Use the tire only on your rear wheel.
Glue the outside with superglue.
Glue a boot on the inside.
I use cut pieces from a strong mailing envelop, that has threads inside as in a dollar bill.
Use the tire only on your rear wheel.
__________________
Fred "The Real Fred"
Fred "The Real Fred"
04-19-10, 10:26 AM
#4
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Morrisville, NC
Posts: 141
Bikes: Raleigh Mojave 4.0, Univega Via Carisma
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
It's a hole all the way through, what do you mean fibers still intact?
04-19-10, 10:36 AM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times
in
1,417 Posts
Tires are made by layering rubber on top of a fabric casing. It's the casing rather than the rubber that gives the tire its structural strength. It's what holds in the tube. Here's a cross-section:
If the hole goes all the way through the fabric casing, you'll have to boot the inside of the tire to prevent the tube from bubbling out the hole. If not, you could just seal up the flap on the outside with some glue.
If the hole goes all the way through the fabric casing, you'll have to boot the inside of the tire to prevent the tube from bubbling out the hole. If not, you could just seal up the flap on the outside with some glue.
04-19-10, 10:42 AM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Montreal
Posts: 6,521
Bikes: Peugeot Hybrid, Minelli Hybrid
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Fibres refers to the threads under the rubber you can see in the first picture. If they havent been cut, you tire is structurally sound. If there is no appreciable bulge around the cut when the tire is at full pressure it is good to ride.
04-19-10, 10:48 AM
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Morrisville, NC
Posts: 141
Bikes: Raleigh Mojave 4.0, Univega Via Carisma
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
sounds like it needs a boot, any recommended materials?
04-19-10, 11:36 AM
#8
Listen to me
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Lexus Texas
Posts: 2,788
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I've used everything from US currencya & pieces of plastic to mylar XXXXbar wrappers from the side of the road.
The softer the better IMHO because more rigid materials will eventually wear through the tube.
Enjoy
The softer the better IMHO because more rigid materials will eventually wear through the tube.
Enjoy
04-19-10, 12:37 PM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Mount Juliet, TN
Posts: 480
Bikes: T1K
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
How expensive was this tire initially? If its not going to cost you much too replace it I would just say oh well I probably got my money out of it and get a new one.
04-19-10, 12:46 PM
#11
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Morrisville, NC
Posts: 141
Bikes: Raleigh Mojave 4.0, Univega Via Carisma
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I just got the bike used, it has Continental 4000s on it, thinking about getting some gatorskins since I commute and ride closer to the shoulder (and debris) than i probably should
