TRF Forums

Morning all. Just wondering how you guys deal with tubed punctures while out. I thought about carrying some levers,tube but is there an easier way of fixing a puncture? What's the opinions of those more experienced (than me, a novice to this type of riding) on the available foams, either put in pre/post puncture? For tubeless/road use I use Punctureseal all the time & has been excellent, guaranteed to the speed rating of the tyre & not just a 'get you home' fix. Thanks in advance.

Mousses, fit and forget, no need to carry levers, foam, spare tube! Nothing worse than having to repair a puncture when it's cold, wet and muddy.

Expensive option but worth it.

You could try Tubliss (?sp). I've heard various reports, not all good, but the idea is one of the best for road & trail. I'm thinking of giving them a try. I currently use MX tubes & try a spare tube, a front, which can be fudged into a rear if necessary. Caution with MX tubes though, it's easier to wring the valve out of the tube, it goes down really fast!

I take a spare front and rear (light duty) and a CO2 inflator kit aloing with a small jar of washing up liquid and all the tools to remove the wheels and tyres. I also use HD tubes too.

I've yet to see the 'slime' type of product work on the trail.

Rich

Hadn't heard of mousse inserts before but the idea seems ok, if expensive. Take it they are easily transferred to new tyres? If so, might see if they have them on offer at the NEC this week.

I would caution against using mousse (mousses?) if you do a lot of road work, they can overheat and break up. Also you are stuck with a single tyre pressure (although without the same danger of puncture if running "low" pressures).

Heavy Duty tubes are also not recommended for road use (also because of potential overheating) but I use them without any proplems, although i do pump the tyres up hard for long road miles. Although saying that the other week I rode 50miles back from Thetford at 60-70mph (mostly dual carriageways) with only 15psi in the tyres and so far no problems.

I carry a 21" tube, three tyre levers, tools for wheel removal and a small bottle of shampoo/shower gel (the ones they give away in hotels), CO2 canisters and a mountain bike pump.

And for punctures at the end of the day when you can't be bothered and want to go home..... an RAC Membership card

Mousses are not road legal, and as mentioned will not endure heavy road use.
I use heavy duty tubes, and carry a pair of standard tubes, with 2x 6" levers to replace a punctured tube, with a small bike pump to inflate.
As long as you have the mindset that it happens and is an occupational hazard of trail riding, if you do pick-up a flat, make sure you're well practiced in how to remove the damaged tube and make good the tyre.
I must admit, it has been a couple of years since i had a flat on the trails, until last month when I had a total of three flats on two rides!!!

T.