Introduction: Instant Puncture Fix
Since discovering how well gorilla tape works at fixing puncture I haven't cycled anywhere without it, especially as I get lots of punctures as I do a lot of off-road cycling. With normal puncture repair kits it takes ages to fix a puncture as you have to find the puncture, then rough up the area around it, put the glue on, wait for it to go tacky, put the patch on and wait for the glue to set. Whereas with using gorilla tape you just find the puncture and put a bit of tape over it and off you go. Its that simple! It reduces the time taken to fix a puncture from 15 to 30 minutes to about 5 (depending on how fast you can find the puncture).
Step 1: Stuff You'll Need
This is a very short list:
Inner tube with puncture
Pump or compressor
Scissors
Gorilla tape
(relevant tools to remove innertube from wheel)
Step 2: Remove Innertube and Find Puncture
First you need to remove the innertube from your bike (I assume you know how to do this), and then find the puncture, I normally do this by inflating the innertube and listening for the air escaping, however you can do it however you find easiest.
Step 3: Patch the Puncture
Once you have found the puncture the hard work is done! Now all you need to do cut up a bit of gorilla tape to patch the hole, it doesn't want to be too big or too small, I normally use a bit about 30mm square but it doesn't have to be exact. Once you have cut the tape stick it over the puncture trying to get it central.
Step 4: And That's It
Finally put the innertube back in your wheel, inflate and your done!
Participated in the
3rd Annual Make It Stick Contest
12 Comments
8 years ago on Introduction
Have you tried this with Road Tubes? Pressure can exceed 85 PSI which is where I believe you'll find problems with this method. I'm guessing the tape won't stretch with the tube resulting in air leaking out. I'll have to try this as I get 8-15 flats a year here in this rough city.
10 years ago
what kind of bike is it?
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
It's a Diamondback Sortie 1, a trail racing bike. http://www.diamondback.co.uk/MTB/ProductType/ProductRange/Product/Default.aspx?pc=1&pt=10&pg=7972
11 years ago on Introduction
I have found it much easier to find the hole by dunking the tube in the bath or mop bucket. You can usually find the air hole pretty fast by pumping up the tube till it stretches, then putting a section under your shirt, and rotating it till you feel the air leak. This shields it from the wind, and amuses your co riders. hahaha Also, the part of your face just under the nose is very sensitive for finding the air leak. (don't breathe the talc powder from the tube).
11 years ago on Introduction
Cool. I am a fan of Gorilla tape. I use it for custom rim strips. They last for years and a roll does plenty of wheels for the money. It sucks for handlebar tape though. I think this would do for a get-out-of-dodge fix, but I always put patches on my tubes at home if not on the trail. I sometimes get free tubes from the trash, with just a pinhole in one.
11 years ago on Introduction
Add an additional innertube, simply drill an extra hole, mark the spare one with duct tape. Once the outer runs flat, inflate spare and you are ready to go in 30 seconds
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
The only problem that I can see with this is that it'll reduce the structural integrity of the rim. One week spot is OK in a circle but 2 provides somewhere for it to collapse. Otherwise its a great idea.
11 years ago on Introduction
Would you consider this a permanent solution? I would think that the tape would eventually come loose from heat/friction over time. The whole reason the glue from a patch kit takes time to set up is that it is creating a permanent bond that will last years.
Even if it was a temporary fix, it would still be a useful method of getting it home from a remote place if you carry the tape.
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
I don't know, the pressure of the inner tube on the tyre would hold it in place and on the inner tube, the pressure in the inner tube forces the inner tube onto the tyre which pushes back with the same force so the tape is only providing a good seal. So far I haven had any problems but it hasn't rely been long enough to judge whether it can be classed as permanent or not.
11 years ago on Introduction
have to give this a try
11 years ago on Introduction
Good idea but i wouldn't want to use it as a permanent solution i would imagine it would leak over time but as a temporary fix it is a perfect
11 years ago on Introduction
SWEET! I live in a place that is fairly urban (i.e. broken glass everywhere!) I am going to start carrying a roll of this stuff around the stem of my bike seat.