Now THAT's a flat...
10-15-18, 09:56 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Folsom, CA
Posts: 303
Bikes: Road, Commuter, Mountain, Tandem and a couple others
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 87 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 41 Times
in
27 Posts
Now THAT's a flat...
So I got about half a block from work when "BAM". Worst flat I've ever seen. I have no idea what I ran over, but it did some damage.
I installed a boot, was not sure it would hold or not, but it lasted the 12 miles I needed it to. I could feel the bump of the gradually expanding boot for the last 8 miles or so.
This is what it looked like when I got home...
I installed a boot, was not sure it would hold or not, but it lasted the 12 miles I needed it to. I could feel the bump of the gradually expanding boot for the last 8 miles or so.
This is what it looked like when I got home...
10-15-18, 10:09 AM
#3
Senior Member
So I got about half a block from work when "BAM". Worst flat I've ever seen. I have no idea what I ran over, but it did some damage.
I installed a boot, was not sure it would hold or not, but it lasted the 12 miles I needed it to. I could feel the bump of the gradually expanding boot for the last 8 miles or so.
This is what it looked like when I got home...
I installed a boot, was not sure it would hold or not, but it lasted the 12 miles I needed it to. I could feel the bump of the gradually expanding boot for the last 8 miles or so.
This is what it looked like when I got home...
10-15-18, 11:04 AM
#4
Senior Member
Wow
Amazed that you were able to fix it good enough to ride.
Good job
Big boot?
what you use use for the boot?
Amazed that you were able to fix it good enough to ride.
Good job
Big boot?
what you use use for the boot?
10-15-18, 11:29 AM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Allen, TX
Posts: 2,633
Bikes: 2021 S-Works Turbo Creo SL, 2020 Specialized Roubaix Expert
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 762 Post(s)
Liked 4,026 Times
in
1,426 Posts
Yep, I ride with them too. I got a sidewall cut in an almost new GP4000SII and the boot held up for another 30 miles or more. Not *quite* the damage the OP had, but it definitely was worth carrying.
-Matt
-Matt
10-15-18, 11:31 AM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,213
Mentioned: 211 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18397 Post(s)
Liked 15,492 Times
in
7,316 Posts
10-15-18, 11:59 AM
#8
Senior Member
10-15-18, 12:32 PM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: NW Arkansas, USA
Posts: 1,031
Bikes: 2015 Giant Roam 2 Hybrid
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 91 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
4 Posts
In an emergency an American dollar bill will act as a boot, the linen fabric is actually pretty tough. I've done it on a 16 mile ride back home.
10-15-18, 12:37 PM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,546
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5223 Post(s)
Liked 3,577 Times
in
2,341 Posts
impressive!
10-15-18, 12:52 PM
#13
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Folsom, CA
Posts: 303
Bikes: Road, Commuter, Mountain, Tandem and a couple others
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 87 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 41 Times
in
27 Posts
I did look - the roadway was mostly covered with leaves. The only thing I saw was a stone about 3/4" but I don't know if that did it or not - it did not look sharp enough, but 
the damage was obviously done, so at that time there was nothing to do but address the problem.
the damage was obviously done, so at that time there was nothing to do but address the problem.
10-15-18, 01:21 PM
#14
Senior Member
Park Boot
$4 and it might be the only way to get home on 2 wheels.
https://www.jensonusa.com/Park-Tool-...MaAkZkEALw_wcB
https://www.jensonusa.com/Park-Tool-...MaAkZkEALw_wcB
10-15-18, 01:28 PM
#15
Senior Member
10-15-18, 01:37 PM
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Zang's Spur, CO
Posts: 9,080
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3370 Post(s)
Liked 5,491 Times
in
2,844 Posts
DAMN!
And I was impressed when a Park boot handled a 3/4” sidewall cut.
I doubt a dollar bill would have held there because it lacks the adhesive of the Park boot.
And I was impressed when a Park boot handled a 3/4” sidewall cut.
I doubt a dollar bill would have held there because it lacks the adhesive of the Park boot.
10-15-18, 02:26 PM
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Allen, TX
Posts: 2,633
Bikes: 2021 S-Works Turbo Creo SL, 2020 Specialized Roubaix Expert
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 762 Post(s)
Liked 4,026 Times
in
1,426 Posts
-Matt
10-15-18, 04:05 PM
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Posts: 5,971
Bikes: 2015 Charge Plug, 2007 Dahon Boardwalk, 1997 Nishiki Blazer, 1984 Nishiki International, 2006 Felt F65, 1989 Dahon Getaway V
Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1363 Post(s)
Liked 1,675 Times
in
827 Posts
@joelcool Nice boot job!
10-15-18, 04:10 PM
#19
Senior Member
Years ago I got a bad one like that. I was wearing a pair of shoes that were on their last legs, so I sacrificed one by cutting out the tongue and using a piece of that as a boot.
Sounds grisly, doesn't it?
Sounds grisly, doesn't it?
10-15-18, 04:58 PM
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Zang's Spur, CO
Posts: 9,080
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3370 Post(s)
Liked 5,491 Times
in
2,844 Posts
Most recent flat (a week ago) was yet another one of those damned little wires shed by worn out steel-belted tires, so no boot needed.
I'm thinking the next time I change out a worn tire, it would be an interesting experiment to put a cut across the tread like the OP, then test booting with a dollar bill, then test it with the Park boot.
10-15-18, 05:06 PM
#21
Senior Member
$4 and it might be the only way to get home on 2 wheels.
https://www.jensonusa.com/Park-Tool-...MaAkZkEALw_wcB
https://www.jensonusa.com/Park-Tool-...MaAkZkEALw_wcB
For sure Gonna add a boot to my repair kit.
That's impressive.
Ive read about the dollar bill trick,
but
might need a $20 to fix a cut that big
10-15-18, 05:50 PM
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,213
Mentioned: 211 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18397 Post(s)
Liked 15,492 Times
in
7,316 Posts
10-16-18, 06:39 AM
#23
I never finish anyth
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Western KY
Posts: 1,114
Bikes: 2008 Merckx LXM, 2003 Giant XTC mtb, 2001 Lemond Alpe d'Huez, 1997 Lemond Zurich, 1989 Cannondale ST, 1988 Masi Nuovo Strada, 1983 Pinarello Turismo
Mentioned: 63 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 294 Post(s)
Liked 137 Times
in
86 Posts
I carry a piece cut out of a milk jug to use as a boot. Takes basically no space, but is pretty tough material. I don't know if it would have worked for this degree of tire damage, but maybe. I'd actually prefer not to test that theory if I can avoid it.
__________________
Dale, NL4T
Dale, NL4T
10-16-18, 06:48 AM
#24
Advanced Slacker
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 6,210
Bikes: Soma Fog Cutter, Surly Wednesday, Canfielld Tilt
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2761 Post(s)
Liked 2,534 Times
in
1,433 Posts
Meh.... just add some more Stans.
10-16-18, 07:40 AM
#25
Non omnino gravis
Get an Express or Priority Mail mailer from the post office (they're free) and cut out some squares. Tyvek makes for great tire boots.
I transitioned to this after needing to boot a tire, and the only thing I had on me was a $20 bill.
I transitioned to this after needing to boot a tire, and the only thing I had on me was a $20 bill.
__________________
