Fast Fix for Flat

foolio_mugoolio

Hey Folks!

So last year, I did my 1st IM at Vineman.  I had TWO flats on the bke course.  One was caused by a staple.  The second was caused by yours truly when I didn't properly check the tire for said staple and I put a new tube right in there with the sharp object still sticking through! (duh).   Good thing I had two tubes.  

A second problem with this whole tire changing business is that my tires are INCREDIBLY hard to take off and put back on the rim.  It's practically impossible to do it quickly with just my bare hands or with tire levers.  In fact, I broke one tire lever trying to do this during the race and spent 25 minutes in total trying to get the tire back ON.  Very very frustrating.

So my desire is to be able to fix flats fast, primarily in a race!

First, note that I have discovered two tools that make removal and replacement of the tire much easier.  The Quik Stick and the Kool Stop Tire Bead Jack.  The former is a great single-tool for removal and the latter a fantastic and FAST single-tool replacer.  Only bad thing about it is that while the quick stick is small enough to carry the "Jack" would probably have to be mounted on the frame.  These seem reasonable enough, but I just heard about another option.  Read below.

I heard about GEAX Pit Stop. This seems like a great solution to my problem.  Supposedly, you can fill a flatted tire and it not only inflates, but also seals the hole all in one swoop, in less than 1 minute!  Sounds awesome!!  

Does anyone have experience with this?  I haven't found many reviews on this so I may just get some and try it out. Hoping someone has some knowledge about it.

Enrique

Quick Stick

TIre Bead Jack

Pit Stop 

mancona

I have not tried the Geax product but I have used both the Vittoria and Hutchison (SP?) version with mixed results. If it is a small pin hole or pinch flat they seem to work. If you hit a reflector in the road during a race and get a gash in the tire/tube it doesn't work so well and you will just cover yourself and bike with sticky foam and bubbles. The cut was less than a cm, so not huge but to big for it to seal.

John Withrow

I've used the Vittoria Pit Stop on tubulars and it worked great for a pinhole. As I put it in, it oozed out through the pinhole, then eventually hardened and stopped. I chased this with a CO2 to top off the pressure and it held for the next 50 miles or so. I then got a 2nd hole in the opposite side of the tire (so was a totally new cause) and tried to put the rest of the can in, but it wouldn't work because the original dose gunked up the stem and it was shot so. I don't know how it would work on a regular inner tube, but I guess it would work for a pinhole or pinch flat. It will probably be nice and messy inside the tire when you get home, but you can deal with that after the race. If you use it, still take your tubes and CO2 just in case it's a big hole or doesn't work. You'll know within 15 seconds if it works which is certainly better than messing with a flat for 25 mins if it can be avoided...

robin sarner

 Not good luck with the cannisters.  And two Blew up in my car.  One shredding the saddle bag.  Afraid these would be very dangerous for hot races.

Rim strip thin?   Thick ones make dfficulty.    I would find a tire that works with your rims better.

foolio_mugoolio

Thanks for all the feedback. I'll probably be getting some to try it out with some old inner tubes I have. Yeah, I will need to be careful about the heat like you say Robin. The suggestion about different tires makes a lot of sense and will be looking at that too. Thanks again!

foolio_mugoolio

I found out recently about Stans No Flats.  You basically go tubeless and use a sealant to eliminate flats.  There are some videos on the vendor website that are pretty convicing VIDEO LINK and HERE.   I've read some reviews  on amazon and there are pros and cons.  I'm thinking of trying this out.  Anyone have any experience with it?