Flat tires - how much of a problem should I expect?
- Thread starter Operator7
- Start date
J.R.
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Piedmont Highlands
Personally I don't use or need to use a tire sealant, I don't get that many flats. Many folks do use sealant and I hoped someone would post the best procedures for it's use. Thanks @spencer.justin for your input and advise! I did use Slime on tractor tires and found it fouled the valve badly.
spencer.justin
New Member
You remove the valve core and pour the Stan's in with the 2 ounce bottle that is sold. The end of the bottle fits right into a Schrader valve perfect. On a presta valve it requires an injector that Stan's sells. It is put in to prevent flats and not as an emergency device.
PowerMe
Well-Known Member
Okay more questions:
1. Should the inner tube be fully inflated, partially inflated, or not inflated at all prior to installing the solution?
2. Do you need to do the bouncing tire routine as they show in their tubeless installation videos after the Stan's is injected and the valve core is replaced?
3. Anything else to do to complete the process?
1. Should the inner tube be fully inflated, partially inflated, or not inflated at all prior to installing the solution?
2. Do you need to do the bouncing tire routine as they show in their tubeless installation videos after the Stan's is injected and the valve core is replaced?
3. Anything else to do to complete the process?
George S.
Well-Known Member
@JR The ebike shop, eSpokes, that recommended the M+ tires suggested using slime as you mentioned. Get a flat and try to get some in the tube at that point. I have used this stuff, once, and it worked. I carry it with the X3, which now has fat tubes and liners. This stuff has horrible reviews on Amazon. It's really hard to recommend. This was an answer to 'How to use it" on Yahoo:
Best Answer:How to properly use it? A) Open lid on trash can. B) Toss it in. C) Buy tires with some kind of inner-liner built into them. D) Keep tires inflated properly.
The problem here is mostly thorns. Basic tires that came with 2 bikes have barely lasted 10 miles into every ride without a thorn. A flat on every ride. Often the leak was slow until I removed the thorn. Most of the thorns broke off, leaving a sharp end in the tire and tube. Not pulling them out instantly repunctured the new tube, so do check the tire before putting a new tube in the tire. The M+ and Armadillos on a road bike (700x23) have worked reliably.
But, it's like what you said about a wrench. How much to carry.
Best Answer:How to properly use it? A) Open lid on trash can. B) Toss it in. C) Buy tires with some kind of inner-liner built into them. D) Keep tires inflated properly.
The problem here is mostly thorns. Basic tires that came with 2 bikes have barely lasted 10 miles into every ride without a thorn. A flat on every ride. Often the leak was slow until I removed the thorn. Most of the thorns broke off, leaving a sharp end in the tire and tube. Not pulling them out instantly repunctured the new tube, so do check the tire before putting a new tube in the tire. The M+ and Armadillos on a road bike (700x23) have worked reliably.
But, it's like what you said about a wrench. How much to carry.
spencer.justin
New Member
1. The valve core has to be removed to pour the juice in so that would mean no air in the tube.
2. no bouncing needed... that is to set the bead of a tubeless tire to the rim
3. No, just pour 2-6 ounces in and then air up and GO
spencer.justin
New Member
True with most... but as a bike shop employee/owner with over 10 years experience with Stan's it is not the case with this product.
5thumbs
Member
Spencer. Thank you for this "off label" use of this product in a tube. i am going to give it a try.
1. Deflate tire
2. Remove core
3. Pour in Stan's product
4. Replace core and fill tire
5. "Go"
6. ? You mention this should be repeated every few months if you use 2 ounces, but if you pour in 4-6 ounces the tire can be used for 9 months. Then what, do you just replace the tube?
Thanks again. I will try this
1. Deflate tire
2. Remove core
3. Pour in Stan's product
4. Replace core and fill tire
5. "Go"
6. ? You mention this should be repeated every few months if you use 2 ounces, but if you pour in 4-6 ounces the tire can be used for 9 months. Then what, do you just replace the tube?
Thanks again. I will try this
stevenast
Well-Known Member
As someone with no mechanical ability, this sounds complicated to me. About the same as changing a tube....
...both are beyond my ability level!
Mark_0
New Member
Both front a rear wheels on an ST2 are really easy to remove. The rear one has an extra clip that disconnects the power from the motor. The help section in the app has pictures to show you exactly how to remove it. The tire comes off really easily compared to a lightweight road bike - in fact when deflated it simply falls off.
I had a puncture after 600 miles. A 3 inch screw went straight through the tire making big hole and instantly blew out the tube. Ironically I don't think that would have happened on my road bike as the tire is so much narrower. But of course my road bike gets punctured with the smallest thorn that I doubt would ever trouble the huge thick tires on the Stromer.
I carry a spare tube a small set of tools and a CO2 pump. That'll let you fix a puncture in 10 minutes. Rather than worry and wait for the inevitable puncture just try it at home. It really is easy. And actually much easier than messing around with slime.
The Schwalbe site has details of what tube to buy for the tire you have. The specification for your tire is written on the tire itself so it is easy to identify.
I had a puncture after 600 miles. A 3 inch screw went straight through the tire making big hole and instantly blew out the tube. Ironically I don't think that would have happened on my road bike as the tire is so much narrower. But of course my road bike gets punctured with the smallest thorn that I doubt would ever trouble the huge thick tires on the Stromer.
I carry a spare tube a small set of tools and a CO2 pump. That'll let you fix a puncture in 10 minutes. Rather than worry and wait for the inevitable puncture just try it at home. It really is easy. And actually much easier than messing around with slime.
The Schwalbe site has details of what tube to buy for the tire you have. The specification for your tire is written on the tire itself so it is easy to identify.
bikerjohn
Well-Known Member
Funny! My experience using Stan's is exactly opposite your experience. Stan's No Tube Sealant broke down, clumped and separated inside my tubes!
I tried Stan's one year, having read endorsements like yours.The stuff was pricier than slime so it must be better -right? NO! I noticed the compound broke down in the tube over Winter storage. The following Spring I could feel rubbery clumps of coagulated sealant within my tubes. Stan's No-Tube Sealant compound had coagulated inside of the tubes over the Winter. This became a noticeable problem with wheel balance. The resulting condition after a year in tubes was rubber clumps and an ineffective "whey" type liquid. It became necessary to replace the tubes to correct the wheel balance. I have never had a similar situation using Slime.
bikerjohn
Well-Known Member
I estimate the quantity of Slime using the graduation marks on the bottle in the recommended amount.
bikerjohn
Well-Known Member
Interesting conflicting recommendations on the use of certain brands of no leak tube compounds. Having had actual experience using Stan's and Slime, Slime has proven multi-year dependability.
spencer.justin states: "...4-6 ounces extends the life of the performance to over 9 months. So basically each spring you "recharge your system" by replacing the tubes and doing it again."
So it is clear that Stan's no-leak reliability is basically good for one year of use ("9 months"). The compound did not over-winter well in tubes.
Slime, on the other hand, does seem to hold up well year to year.
->here is documentation of the problem I experienced using "Stan's":
http://www.bikejournal.com/blog.asp?rname=bikerjohn&cdate=8/20/2013
spencer.justin states: "...4-6 ounces extends the life of the performance to over 9 months. So basically each spring you "recharge your system" by replacing the tubes and doing it again."
So it is clear that Stan's no-leak reliability is basically good for one year of use ("9 months"). The compound did not over-winter well in tubes.
Slime, on the other hand, does seem to hold up well year to year.
->here is documentation of the problem I experienced using "Stan's":
http://www.bikejournal.com/blog.asp?rname=bikerjohn&cdate=8/20/2013
Last edited:
5thumbs
Member
Went 1000 miles on a ST1 and no flats, then got 2 flats in less than 100 miles, both on the rear tire. Put together a kit and practiced removal of the rear tire so hopefully now I can address on the road.
Oh, I found the puncture to be on the INSIDE of the tube. I searched the rim for spokes/sharp edges and could not find any.
- 19mm wrench to remove rear tire
- tire levers (optional)
- 5mm hex for removal front tire (maybe 6mm)
- Knife to remove 2 zip ties that secure rear wheel hub wires
- spare tube and/or patch kit
- air source
- zip ties to secure rear wheel hub wires to frame (believe me, you don't want those ripping out while riding or changing wheel)
- phillips head screwdriver. If you plan to turn the bike upside down to change the rear wheel, you may want to loosen ST1 display to swing it out of the way so it does not get all scratched up.
Oh, I found the puncture to be on the INSIDE of the tube. I searched the rim for spokes/sharp edges and could not find any.
stevenast
Well-Known Member
Wow! That's a serious road-side repair kit. Takes some determination (and a bit of mechanical skill) to tackle a rear-tire flat on that bike!
I'm all thumbs,
couldn't do it!
Mark_0
New Member
Wow! That's a serious road-side repair kit. Takes some determination (and a bit of mechanical skill) to tackle a rear-tire flat on that bike!
I'm all thumbs,
I guess Stromer learned from this because it is WAY easier to fix a puncture on the ST2. The details are in their online manual; http://www.stromerbike.com
Llcjay
Member
Stromer tires and tubes are excellent. Doubt your local shop will have the same quality. Order a set on line so u have them ready
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