Got a flat yesterday in the rear tire of a Panaracer Pasela Mesenger PTs. Turned out the tire had a little nick in it, on the centerline of the tread and some debris had wedged itself in there and gave me a flat. (So much crap on the shoulders right now after the blizzard a few weeks back)

Tires are otherwise in good shape. Do I replace the tire or rotate it to the front and hope it doesn't happen again or is that stupid.

Cover the inside cut with something like Duct Tape to keep the tube from getting squeezed.

Keep the tire on the rear and by a new tire.

I buy tires on sale a year in advance.

I've had good luck putting Shoe Goo in cuts to keep stuff from finding its way in there again and causing another flat.

I use Permatex Black Rubber Sealant RS-9. You can buy it at any automotive parts store.

I've booted tires with a larger tube patch, especially those patches that are reinforced. But, I've also seen tires that are nicked in the tread area that have damage to the belting. Those will generally last a short time before breaking more belting, making the tire unsafe. I'd keep it on the rear, and be ready to go crazy with the "thump, thump, thump" it'll make.......nah, I'd just buy a new one.

Always put your best tire in front of you.


Ain't that cheesy.

Thanks for the suggestions. Probably try the Permatex Black Rubber Sealant RS-9 temporaily, it's a really tiny nick that doesn't seem to go all the way through (no visible hole on inside). Only reason I found it was that it was wet outside and I saw the bubbles coming from the air leak. Will replace tire soon.

Was going to invest in some fancy Grand Bois, but the flat in the Panaracers gives me pause as I realize our street kinda suck particularly this time of year.

I doesn't sound to me like you need to replace that tire anytime soon. I've ridden tires for years with small tread cuts that I've sealed. Often times small bits of glass or other sharp objects get trapped in the tire tread, and it can be weeks before they actually cause a flat. You should periodically inspect your tires for stuff embedded in your tire tread, and remove them before they cause a flat, then seal the cut.

never rotate old tires to the front, but you can do it the other way around if you have to in a pinch. if the tire fails again in the rear you just skid out but if it fails up front there's a higher chance you'll go down

if it's otherwise in decent condition, seal or boot it and keep it in the rear. but if you want true piece of mind just invest in a new tire. i'm pretty thrift about bike parts but rubber is a worth the investment if you don't like roadrash