Quicky flat fix?
03-28-09 | 01:32 PM
#1
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Bikes: cannondale f600 mongoose crossway 850
Quicky flat fix?
Anyone ever carry a can of pressured automotive tire sealer? Looks like that would be a
quick way to air up a tire and fix a small puncture. The only drawback I see is it could only be
used on schrader valves.
quick way to air up a tire and fix a small puncture. The only drawback I see is it could only be
used on schrader valves.
03-28-09 | 02:20 PM
#2
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From: Dodge City, KS.
Bikes: Schwinn, World Avenue One
I wonder what percentage of riders have schrader valves? Maybe it could be beneficial to them.
03-28-09 | 02:25 PM
#3
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From: Washington, DC
I've done it in the past, and it worked well for slow leaks. One limitation is that the pressure in the can is only about 40 pounds or so, making it useful only for low pressure tires. With a valve adapter, it could work on Presta valves, although I would worry about the stuff possibly gumming up the valve.
Paul
Paul
03-28-09 | 02:49 PM
#4
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Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Michigan
Bikes: Windsor Fens, Giant Seek 0 (2014, Alfine 8 + discs)
I use schrader valves. I used to use presta, and I don't see any advantage, and several disadvantages. For one thing, I don't have a presta inflator on my air compressor in the garage, and I have to carry an adapter around to use gas station air, etc. I don't have any trouble at all pumping up any pressure I like, even with my portable pump, with schrader, and it doesn't leak down any worse either.
I wouldn't use a can of fix-a-flat unless it was a DIRE emergency, either on a car or on a bike. You use fix-a-flat on a car tire, it's just to get you home, then you have to buy a new tire, and the place will probably charge you extra because of having to deal with the crap all over the tire and rim. At least with the bike I guess it would be MOSTLY limited to the inside of the tube.
If you were going to do this, you might as well just roll with one of the SLIME type compounds in the tube. Be sure to go with one that actually works though, I understand there are some. My bike came with SLIME tubes and all it did was make a mess, it never stopped a single leak no matter how small, every leak went down dead flat every time. SLIME just made it hard to clean up, though it did make it easy to find the leak.
I wouldn't use a can of fix-a-flat unless it was a DIRE emergency, either on a car or on a bike. You use fix-a-flat on a car tire, it's just to get you home, then you have to buy a new tire, and the place will probably charge you extra because of having to deal with the crap all over the tire and rim. At least with the bike I guess it would be MOSTLY limited to the inside of the tube.
If you were going to do this, you might as well just roll with one of the SLIME type compounds in the tube. Be sure to go with one that actually works though, I understand there are some. My bike came with SLIME tubes and all it did was make a mess, it never stopped a single leak no matter how small, every leak went down dead flat every time. SLIME just made it hard to clean up, though it did make it easy to find the leak.
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03-28-09 | 05:20 PM
#5
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I've done it in the past, and it worked well for slow leaks. One limitation is that the pressure in the can is only about 40 pounds or so, making it useful only for low pressure tires. With a valve adapter, it could work on Presta valves, although I would worry about the stuff possibly gumming up the valve.
Paul
Paul
03-28-09 | 07:36 PM
#6
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From: SW Florida
Bikes: Surly Karate Monkey, Nashbar MTN "Frame", 96' GT Avalanche, Jamis Dakota
I vote bad Idea!
Automotive fix-a-flat is for tires, not tubes. I have never seen it seal a tube. Slime for tubes would be your best bet, but will still only work so well, and do make a mess. I have found that a good puncture resistant tire and regular tube or thorn resistant for added protection. I used to have flats every other day. Now that I run tires with a protective kevlar belt I have went 2k+ miles without a flat. I can deal with roadside repairs at that rate.
Automotive fix-a-flat is for tires, not tubes. I have never seen it seal a tube. Slime for tubes would be your best bet, but will still only work so well, and do make a mess. I have found that a good puncture resistant tire and regular tube or thorn resistant for added protection. I used to have flats every other day. Now that I run tires with a protective kevlar belt I have went 2k+ miles without a flat. I can deal with roadside repairs at that rate.
