SA Footy

Just curious if anyone out there is a regular rider and has any advice on what would be best to have in my kit for puncture repairs...
I ride from Dernancourt to Edwardstown so obviously need some sort of contingency against the dreaded puncture but figure the old style repair kits are a thing of the past and maybe an option like the 'Slime' is better ??

Drive a car

Bloody bikes, I hate them

The old man loves his slime. Magic stuff. Better than Flubber.

You could probably make a better movie based on slime as well.

Big Phil wrote:Drive a car

Bloody bikes, I hate them

Settle down Adro

Look into buying solids.

Please explain LM ?

Solid rubber, no air required, therefore no punctures

here's one brand, there are a few now, heven't tried them so can't comment if they are good or not

http://www.bicycles.net.au/Australian-Cycling-News-and-Articles.63.0.html?&cHash=66d98c5fe8&tx_cmarticle_pi1%5BsingleID%5D=684

I would love to ride a bike everywhere.

But there are so many drug/booze affected drivers out there, FORGET IT

Riders get Killed in the bike lane.

OH SORRY isn't enough.....

Choccies wrote:Please explain LM ?

Ask at a bike retailer, I'm pretty sure they are available in SA for most sizes, could probably do with some extra padding on the seat but nevertheless no more punctures.

Dog_ger wrote:I would love to ride a bike everywhere.

But there are so many drug/booze affected drivers out there, FORGET IT

Riders get Killed in the bike lane.

OH SORRY isn't enough.....

I started riding last week and the state of the roads in SA is disgraceful and so dangerous... Definitly have to pick your routes...

I use electrical tape to fix everything. I haven't tried it on a puncture but it works very well on split hoses in a car (unfortunately, it does not work so well on holes in the car's water pump).

Bloke here at work uses the slime in combo with the tyres that are built with a metal mesh built in. They're expensive, but he hasn't gotten a flat in yonks, goes bush bashing etc. He's even riding the Birdsville Track, so I reckon he knows what he's talking about.

My next question is in regard to valves and pumps. My old mountain bike had standard valves like a car. These could be pumped up at servos and the like. But the new beast has the small valves and I'm wondering what is the best method/connection/options to pump these little suckers up ? Can u buy a connection to allow the servo pumps to pump these up ??

Attach a pump to your bike.
Easy.
Any bike shop would have a fitting that is pump size and allows you to attach it close to the frame so it's not in your way.

Choccies wrote:My next question is in regard to valves and pumps. My old mountain bike had standard valves like a car. These could be pumped up at servos and the like. But the new beast has the small valves and I'm wondering what is the best method/connection/options to pump these little suckers up ? Can u buy a connection to allow the servo pumps to pump these up ??

I had the same problem too choccies..... A bit of research on google and a trip to the local bike shop and for less than $5 bingo problem solvered. Mine stays permanently attached to my bike pump so I don't lose it.

Also worth getting the bike shop to check the wheel tape inside your tyre where the tube goes. Extreme pressure can push inferior tape through the spoke holes on your wheel and if you bought a cheep treadley like me then the Chinese builder put a left over tyre tube as the tape and when pumped up to the recommended pressure.... puncture within 5 minutes. Back to the bike shop

Do you use tubes, or tubeless tyres?

You can buy Kevlar tyres - they are more robust than standard rubber, and hence you have a better road barrier in the Kevlar tyre reducing chances of a puncture. Not likely to stop a pinch puncture though if you are using tubes.

I hate French Valves - much prefer the old car tyre valves.

Once I started using the "puncture proof" tyres (thicker than normal) I didn't have another puncture after 2 years of constantly repairing the standard tubes.

ah, reminds me of my youth- riding around Murray Bridge, in various off-road environments.
I used to get the old tube, cut it in half (roundways), so as to create a second-skin around the new tube, giving it a few extra mm of absortion of 3 corner jacks.

Punk Rooster wrote:ah, reminds me of my youth- riding around Murray Bridge, in various off-road environments.
I used to get the old tube, cut it in half (roundways), so as to create a second-skin around the new tube, giving it a few extra mm of absortion of 3 corner jacks.

It's called a gaiter Punky, they were also available pre made, the pre made versions were thick in the middle and tapered to the edges, also used commonly in truck tyres pre tubeless tyres

whether you made your own or bought them they would still add extra protection