AngryScientist 

well as luck would have it i got two flats on the way to work this morning. i had one spare tube on me, along with a patch kit.

generally i carry the park tools glueless patches, which i've had very good luck with, but in my messenger bag all i had was a standard patch kit with rubber cement. problem being that i havent used it in so long the rubber cement was just, well...rubber.

now what?

the only solution i could come up with is tying a knot in the tube, isolating the puncture. i stretched that tube section out and managed a knot. worked like a charm, there was a noticeable "hump" in the wheel rotation, but nothing significant enough to not allow me to ride an additional 4 miles or so on the offended tire.

luckily i keep a spare tube at work.

10 Wheels

You did good....Thump Thump Thump

What caused the flats.

AngryScientist 

glass shards. first the rear wheel, then the front. it wasnt anything obvious either, i rode over some really wet roads (at 445 in the am, so i didnt have to ride deep into the shoulder or anything), they were really fine slivers that must have worked their way in.

ehh, i was due i guess.

Metzinger

Yeah, I've done that too, when out of options.
So goes the saying: Necessity is a mother******.

10 Wheels

I try to avoid the junk on the roads but still find the glass or rock sliver's.
My last flat was a tiny piece of rock in the front tire.

Kimmo 

I'm amazed that worked well enough to ride on...

Are your tubes pretty thin, or did you just stretch it like buggery?

Metzinger

buggery

Daytrip

I'll remember that. The last time I tried to glue a patch on the road, my glue tube was all dried out--nothing but fumes. That taught me to check it from time to time.

Trucker Dan

2manybikes

I tried that with 700x23 tubes and tires. The knot was so big I could not get the tire bead to seat on the rim.

nahh

different tires, different tubes. maybe you just weren't trying hard enough

availpunk9

Used a 1 cent stamp to get me home. One must be in a proximity of a post office for that. YMMV, I'm sure the wouldn't work so well on a wet day.

kayakdiver

looks like it worked fine ... mods might not agree.

nayr497

I just learned something new. Now...I hope I never have to use it! But thanks for the idea

Nachoman

Good move AS!

NickDavid

Nice job! I will use this in the event of an emergency.

diverguy

Pretty clever idea. Necessity is the mother...

Homebrew01

I've fixed a flat by finding some garbage plastice bag and wrapping it around the hole 5-6 times. Worked like a charm. Held air for over a week, until I remembered to fix it properly. I now carry a couple of dollar bills (boot) in a platic bag (extra "patch") in case I run out of tubes.

I also had my mtn bike bottom bracket sound like it was going to explode. I found an oil container and managed to shut it up until I got home. Litter comes in handy every once in a while.

tuxbailey

Stamp...that is cool idea.

2manybikes

It was interesting that day, I used up all my patch glue and my spare tube too. Only time I had to get a ride home. A 60 mile taxicab ride is expensive !~!!!!

Reynolds 

I don't usually carry a patch kit, but when I do I always carry a new cement tube. Once opened, leave it for repairs at home.

Big_Red

Sounds like you have been reading the mountain bike mags. Don't forget you can also stuff a bunch of leaves and grass in the tire if needed. Glad you were able to make it to work without calling for the team car!

lpolliard

Did you have to tie two knots, one on either side of the puncture? or just one knot on the hole?

How does a plastic garbage bag or leaves and grass work to seal a hole?

Call me clueless...

Metzinger

Just a knot at the hole. Like a half knot. The puncture is in the little loop you've got hanging out.
They don't seal the hole. They provide an alternative filling for the tire when you can't use air. Like a stuffed toy. I've never tried this.

Homebrew01

You wrap the plastic bag around the hole a few times and it acts like a patch, good as new.