Darwin and the skid patch
#1
Thread Starter
Electrical Hazard
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 974
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From: Manhattan / Vancouver
Bikes: a bunch.
Darwin and the skid patch
So this weekend I threw an old dried out IRC skinwall on my rear wheel, for a bit of skidding fun. A 'bit' turned into LOTS, and I have worn the tire through to the casing in many spots.
I told myself I would change it over to my regular tire before commuting today, for safety.
Well.. my girlfriend distracted me yesterday afternoon and I forgot to change the tire over.
I remembered right before bed though.
I figured it wouldn't be wise to ride on the casing, as its got no grip, and its
likely to get cut up. So I quickly grabbed a tube of black RTV sealant, and went around the
tire, filling up the holes in the tread.
This morning I hopped on, and rode it to work.
The RTV was a little stickier than the rest of the tire, but it held up just fine. Looking at it now, its almost hard to tell where the patches of missing tread are, as the RTV adhered to the remaing rubber so well.
The plan for this afternoon is to ride it home conservatively, until I get to the last steep hill before home. I will then skid it all the way down, in an attempt to blow it out. I can only hope that it catches fire in the process.
Have any of you cats ever had a blowout mid skid?
I can't imagine the handling of the bike changing that much as the majority of weight is on the front tire anyways.
I'll be doing this on a low traffic street, wearing a helmet of course.
Wish me luck =]
I told myself I would change it over to my regular tire before commuting today, for safety.
Well.. my girlfriend distracted me yesterday afternoon and I forgot to change the tire over.
I remembered right before bed though.
I figured it wouldn't be wise to ride on the casing, as its got no grip, and its
likely to get cut up. So I quickly grabbed a tube of black RTV sealant, and went around the
tire, filling up the holes in the tread.
This morning I hopped on, and rode it to work.
The RTV was a little stickier than the rest of the tire, but it held up just fine. Looking at it now, its almost hard to tell where the patches of missing tread are, as the RTV adhered to the remaing rubber so well.
The plan for this afternoon is to ride it home conservatively, until I get to the last steep hill before home. I will then skid it all the way down, in an attempt to blow it out. I can only hope that it catches fire in the process.
Have any of you cats ever had a blowout mid skid?
I can't imagine the handling of the bike changing that much as the majority of weight is on the front tire anyways.
I'll be doing this on a low traffic street, wearing a helmet of course.
Wish me luck =]
#3
Originally Posted by lyledriver
Have any of you cats ever had a blowout mid skid?
I can't imagine the handling of the bike changing that much as the majority of weight is on the front tire anyways.
I can't imagine the handling of the bike changing that much as the majority of weight is on the front tire anyways.
#5
Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
i saw some video some where here on the internet called Mt.skidmore. I dont remember who produced it. but, in this video,
one of the guys is going down a circular parking garage for a while and he blows out near the end while skidding.
to answer your question:
i havnt done it, just seen it done.
cheers
one of the guys is going down a circular parking garage for a while and he blows out near the end while skidding.
to answer your question:
i havnt done it, just seen it done.
cheers
#7
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 455
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From: Austin TX
My friend did. It was a long fun downhill skid, drunk. It always ****ed his wheel up and he spent two hours with it, adjusting the locknuts and truing it. Of course it wasn't his intention to blow out the tire. He said his bike was skidding from one end of the lane to the other as he was trying to maintain control.
It's fun but it might end up bad.
It's fun but it might end up bad.
#9
Originally Posted by powers2b
Say goodbye to your rim if you blow a tire during a skid.
Enjoy
Enjoy
#10
The problem for the OP becomes what to do once the tire blows half way down the hill.
Ride it out and hope the tire doesn't come off the rim and wrap around the cog/axle.
Keep skidding and scuff the rim up.
(I am assuming brakeless)
Enjoy
Ride it out and hope the tire doesn't come off the rim and wrap around the cog/axle.
Keep skidding and scuff the rim up.
(I am assuming brakeless)
Enjoy
#11
Thread Starter
Electrical Hazard
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 974
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From: Manhattan / Vancouver
Bikes: a bunch.
I think I'll be alright if it blows.
I've got a brake, so I should be able to bring it to a stop before damaging the rim.
I'll have to look for that Mt. skidmore vid.
A parking garage seems like the perfect place to try this.
I've got a brake, so I should be able to bring it to a stop before damaging the rim.
I'll have to look for that Mt. skidmore vid.
A parking garage seems like the perfect place to try this.
#12
Rebel Thousandaire
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 733
Likes: 1
From: Hartford, CT
Bikes: Public D8, Yuba Mundo (cargo), Novara Buzz (1-speed, soon to be 2-speed w/ a kickback hub), Xootr 1-speed folder
Originally Posted by powers2b
The problem for the OP becomes what to do once the tire blows half way down the hill.
Ride it out and hope the tire doesn't come off the rim and wrap around the cog/axle.
Keep skidding and scuff the rim up.
(I am assuming brakeless)
Enjoy
Ride it out and hope the tire doesn't come off the rim and wrap around the cog/axle.
Keep skidding and scuff the rim up.
(I am assuming brakeless)
Enjoy
#13
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 455
Likes: 0
From: Austin TX
Like I said my friend kept skidding after the blow out. then again his speed and the downhill grade of the road weren't helping.
PS: This thread just says STUPID IDEA all over it. That said, have fun whatever you do. Just don't cry if you hurt you or your wheel in the process.
PS: This thread just says STUPID IDEA all over it. That said, have fun whatever you do. Just don't cry if you hurt you or your wheel in the process.
#14
Thread Starter
Electrical Hazard
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 974
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From: Manhattan / Vancouver
Bikes: a bunch.
Originally Posted by Ready to Ruck
PS: This thread just says STUPID IDEA
Thats why I titled it accordingly.
I'll report back on how it goes tonight.
#15
Originally Posted by Ready to Ruck
PS: This thread just says STUPID IDEA all over it.
Squeeeeeal...POP...Scrape....Whooosh...Screeeam....Sirens.....
Now it has Jacka$$ wanabe written all over it.
Enjoy
#16
Member's Only
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 524
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From: MPLS
Bikes: Bridgesetone RB-1 fixie, Surly CrossCheck, Surly Instigator, Salsa AlaCarte, Bianchi Timberwolf SS
it is somewhat a right of passage to put on new tires and skid through them the same day. Back in the skate days we used to do that with trucks too - put on a new pair of trucks and grind to axel in one day (which is 1/4" of metal, and pretty effing sick).
#17
Beausage is Beautiful

Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 5,504
Likes: 13
From: Saitama, Japan
Bikes: Nabiis Alchemy
Originally Posted by powers2b
Say goodbye to your rim if you blow a tire during a skid.
Enjoy
Enjoy
I've done it several times now. Whenever my rear tire is about to be replaced, I go around the block skidding like an idiot until I blow it out. Lots of fun, actually.
__________________
Yo. Everything I’m doing is linked on What’s up with Dave? but most of note currently is Somewhere in Japan.
Yo. Everything I’m doing is linked on What’s up with Dave? but most of note currently is Somewhere in Japan.
#18
Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
#20
Originally Posted by powers2b
Unless the OP soaks the tire in gas and uses a steel rim.
Squeeeeeal...POP...Scrape....Whooosh...Screeeam....Sirens.....
Now it has Jacka$$ wanabe written all over it.
Enjoy
Squeeeeeal...POP...Scrape....Whooosh...Screeeam....Sirens.....
Now it has Jacka$$ wanabe written all over it.
Enjoy
#22
slot machine
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 608
Likes: 0
From: Richmond, VA
Bikes: 2006 Fuji Track
when i finally learned to skid i destroyed my tire in a matter of days. i was running a 48/16 ratio so there was just one huge skidspot. i flew off a curb on the way to school and it blew out and sort of started wobbling under me. scared the **** out of me, can't imagine feeling that in the midst of a skid
#23
Thread Starter
Electrical Hazard
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 974
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From: Manhattan / Vancouver
Bikes: a bunch.
Well.. I made it home. The last hill wasn't as steep or smooth as I thought, and I came to a stop multiple times. Due to the 30 skid patches, the tire is pretty trashed all around now.
I might take it out to my alley later tonight, but I'll probably just throw my Serfas tire back on for tomorrow.
EDIT: Thanks for the vid link, West Los CA! Initial D style.
I might take it out to my alley later tonight, but I'll probably just throw my Serfas tire back on for tomorrow.
EDIT: Thanks for the vid link, West Los CA! Initial D style.
#24
a few months ago, i was skidding on an old rubino when some part of the casing wore through and a large bubble burst out of the sidewall, sticking out half an inch or so.
the tire didn't blow, but my clearance is tight and the bubble wedged on the chain stay and locked up the wheel. luckily, i was on an empty road but it was quite a shocking first.
the tire didn't blow, but my clearance is tight and the bubble wedged on the chain stay and locked up the wheel. luckily, i was on an empty road but it was quite a shocking first.





