Tire Cuts/Holes, fix with superglue?

Triathlon Forum
1

I have always used this method:

  1. Put bike on stand and inspect tire by rolling slowly
  2. Any holes or cuts get a thorough cleaning out from a dental pick (usually always some kind of little rock and piece of glass in there)
  3. Put a dab of superglue in said hole or cut and let dry, viola!

Anyone have any other methods or tricks they use? I’ve been lucky to have only had 1 flat in the past 5-years and am very meticulous about inspecting them often. Anyone doing anything different?

2

I’ve used rubber cement instead of superglue.

I’ve also patched the inside of tires.

jaretj

3

I have always used this method:

  1. Put bike on stand and inspect tire by rolling slowly
  2. Any holes or cuts get a thorough cleaning out from a dental pick (usually always some kind of little rock and piece of glass in there)
  3. Put a dab of superglue in said hole or cut and let dry, viola!

Anyone have any other methods or tricks they use? I’ve been lucky to have only had 1 flat in the past 5-years and am very meticulous about inspecting them often. Anyone doing anything different?

Good job there. I’m always surprised how few cyclists do this sort or maintenance even though they are being perpetually plagued by flats.You’re catching the little flat maker pieces a day or two before they finally worm their way into and penetrate the tube. I’ll also boot a tire with an internal patch if there is a real but very minimal penetration of the tire as in no cut cords. Any tire with cords cut gets booted and relegated to trainer duty.

Hugh

4

I check my tires after each ride as well; it does help to identify and fix trouble areas for sure.

If the cut is too deep I put a patch on the inside too tho.

5

I’m now wondering if Shoe Goo would work.

2 Likes
6

I’m now wondering if Shoe Goo would work.

Good call, I don’t see why not. It’s a rubber sealant (rubber cement?) so it should do the job just fine. Cheaper than superglue as well. I guess it’s personal preference at that point and whatever you have laying around to use.

7

I’m now wondering if Shoe Goo would work.
Yes, Shoe Goo works great for small cuts, etc.

8

It it is a small hole that goes through, patch it with gorilla tape on the inside.

If I happen to get a sidewall slice on a newish tire, I’ll sew it closed with needle and thread and patch it inside.

Running mostly Conti tires I very rarely have an issue with glass getting through the tread, even though I run over quite a bit of it.