Puncture repair

**Maha** · 17th February 2010, 19:53

Local shop came and picked up the Honda today because the rear tyre had a nail in it.
Now, the puncture was repaired by way of a patch applied the inside rather than a plug.
The tyre is just over a year old so replacement was not an option.
Is the patch method the better of the two repair options?

The nail was in the centre of the tyre, not to the side.

Total cost $35.00

**Motu** · 17th February 2010, 20:01

What do you call a plug? If plugged externally it's only legal as a temporary repair.A mushroon patch is a boot with a stem through the hole,a boot just goes over the hole.Both are an acceptable repair....but a mushroom is a must for steel belt tyres.

**Maha** · 17th February 2010, 20:04

Originally Posted by Motu

What do you call a plug? If plugged externally it's only legal as a temporary repair.A mushroon patch is a boot with a stem through the hole,a boot just goes over the hole.Both are an acceptable repair....but a mushroom is a must for steel belt tyres.

Yes I mean plugged externally.
The tyre is a PR2 ct.

**yachtie10** · 17th February 2010, 20:07

what do you mean
"The tyre is just over a year old so replacement was not an option."
Im on my 4th back tyre in a calendar year
I think you need to do more riding (or I need to do less)

my understanding is internal is the only way to go

**Meanie** · 17th February 2010, 20:08

I carry a repair kit as a temporary measre, ill always get it repaired from the inside when i get to a bike shop
Got a few mates out of strife on several occasions now
I have heard of guys biffing perfectly good tyres because they dont trust them after having a repair, not me im too tight

**Maha** · 17th February 2010, 20:17

Originally Posted by yachtie10

what do you mean
"The tyre is just over a year old so replacement was not an option."
Im on my 4th back tyre in a calendar year
I think you need to do more riding (or I need to do less)

my understanding is internal is the only way to go

I was ment to take it to work today, working up north for four days, taking it tomorrow.

Originally Posted by Meanie

I carry a repair kit as a temporary measre, ill always get it repaired from the inside when i get to a bike shop
Got a few mates out of strife on several occasions now
I have heard of guys biffing perfectly good tyres because they dont trust them after having a repair, not me im too tight

I will be gettin' me one of them thar repair kits.
Im tight also, but I thought that $35 was brilliant even allowing for the fact that they came and got the bike.

**Meanie** · 17th February 2010, 20:23

Yep it was cheap alright, got mine fixed in greymouth on the last southern cross, was way mre than that, and they didnt have to pick me up

**JohnH** · 17th February 2010, 20:50

Hey there, I used to repair truck and car tyres, the plugs were generally fazed out as they were unreliable unless a patch was also placed inside the tyre. I'm sure its the same with smaller tyres such as bike tyres. Plugs are a conveneint must on the side of the road, but temporary. If its not a slash or in the sidewall then a patch internally is best, a must have also with tubed tyres other wise the hole if big enough will pinch the tube.

**Maha** · 17th February 2010, 20:58

Originally Posted by JohnH

Hey there, I used to repair truck and car tyres, the plugs were generally fazed out as they were unreliable unless a patch was also placed inside the tyre. I'm sure its the same with smaller tyres such as bike tyres. Plugs are a conveneint must on the side of the road, but temporary. If its not a slash or in the sidewall then a patch internally is best, a must have also with tubed tyres other wise the hole if big enough will pinch the tube.

Thank you for that explaination, I will indeed buy a repair kit.
And I know they are just a 'get me home' fix.

Welcome to KB, great post to start with.

**roogazza** · 19th February 2010, 07:39

Hi Maha, I watched my rear pressure for a week after an internal patch was fitted by a mate, but it proved good. My rear got a tiny hole and slow leak, but in mate's experience wasn't worth a full internal mushroom repair. He says he uses good quality materials and backs a patch in some circumstances. (He has a shop here in Kapiti). G.
ps I have used mushroom repairs before and never had a problem, even with trackwork.

**Maha** · 19th February 2010, 12:30

Originally Posted by roogazza

Hi Maha, I watched my rear pressure for a week after an internal patch was fitted by a mate, but it proved good. My rear got a tiny hole and slow leak, but in mate's experience wasn't worth a full internal mushroom repair. He says he uses good quality materials and backs a patch in some circumstances. (He has a shop here in Kapiti). G.
ps I have used mushroom repairs before and never had a problem, even with trackwork.

Cheers Gaz, yeah I will keep an eye on the tyre pressure, so far I am happy with it, did a couple of hundred K's on it yesterday.

**slofox** · 21st February 2010, 11:18

Nail in the tyre is it then?

Yeah, Grrrrrrrr, second nail in the tyre for me in six months...

Dragged bike out for a ride this morning, checked the pressures, rear is 15psi...15?..Hmmmm. Pump up, have a look at tyre and sure enough, there's the nail head just off centre. Effing Basket Cant!

Wheel bike back into shed. Off to Boyds tomorrow morning.

Had to do work around the section instead...

very rare occurrence, that...

**T.W.R** · 21st February 2010, 11:48

Don't F@*# around with plugs of any discription in bike tyres....they're all just a temporary fix. If you've had a nail etc go through the tyre Vulcanising is the only sure fix apart from total replacement, Vulcanising will last the life of the tyre and only costs a fraction more than getting a stupid plug fitted....admittedly it does take longer and has to be done by someone who knows what they're doing but it's worth it.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...post1129580820

**Kickaha** · 21st February 2010, 12:10

Originally Posted by T.W.R

Don't F@*# around with plugs of any description in bike tyres....they're all just a temporary fix. If you've had a nail etc go through the tyre Vulcanising is the only sure fix apart from total replacement, Vulcanising will last the life of the tyre and only costs a fraction more than getting a stupid plug fitted....admittedly it does take longer and has to be done by someone who knows what they're doing but it's worth it.

I've yet to see a proper mushroom plug fail if it's been correctly installed and they are a permanent repair

Originally Posted by T.W.R

Mushroom plugs (internal fitment) aren't much chop on tubeless tyres and are only really any good for tubed type tyre. The sealing agent once dry looses adhesion and eventually the tyre will leak again.

They're designed for tubeless repair and if done right will not lose adhesion, most common mistake is not letting the "glue" dry off properly which is normally a minimum 3 minutes before applying the repair unit, they should also have a sealer applied over top once they're in place

Originally Posted by T.W.R

Flat patches (internal fitment) aren't safe by any means in a tyre unless a tube is fitted.

Same situation as above, a flat patch of the correct type could be used, to do it properly a stem seal should also be used with it, most places just use any old type of patch they have lying around a lot of which aren't suitable for the application

Originally Posted by T.W.R

None should be used on roadbike tyres, the only proper repair is vulcanising and even that needs to be done properly. Will last the life of the tyre if it's a quality job.

Vulcanising would also be my preferred method of repair but if done properly a stemseal should also be fitted or cushion gum pushed through to seal the damage all the way through, a properly applied mushroom plug will also easily last the life of the tyre

Very few places vulcanise now, probably due to the fact it is a slower repair method