Repairing Minor Tire Cuts
#1
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Repairing Minor Tire Cuts
I just got a flat today and noticed a small maybe 3-5mm cut on my tire. I'm not 100% sure if the two are related issues, but I've replaced my tube and have been fine since. Regarding the small cut, what is a good way to fix small gashes? I don't think it's actually cut through and the tires are pretty new and have a lot of life left in them. Can I just squeeze in some of the vulcanizing goo from a tube repair kit? I've also heard some people use Shoe Goo?
Ideas and suggestions? Thanks
Ideas and suggestions? Thanks
#2
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If the cut is just in the rubber and not the casing (threads) I suggest leave it alone. Lots of people will tell you to seal/repair with rubber cement or epoxy or shoe goo, which you could do, but I don’t know how necessary that is. The structural integrity of the tire is in the casing.
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I've used super glue... specifically this type which is supposedly flexible. No idea though how much good it does.
https://www.amazon.com/Loctite-Contr.../dp/B00ELV2D0Y
https://www.amazon.com/Loctite-Contr.../dp/B00ELV2D0Y
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#4
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If it's just the outer rubber layer, you don't really have to do anything. Gluing it won't hurt, but it's unlikely to help either.
The real issue is if the casing fabric is damaged. Glue won't fix that. If the tire is actually bulging in the spot under pressure, the safe bet is to replace the tire.
It is possible to use a permanent boot or sewing repair to reinforce at minor cuts, but you should definitely tread carefully with that sort of thing.
The real issue is if the casing fabric is damaged. Glue won't fix that. If the tire is actually bulging in the spot under pressure, the safe bet is to replace the tire.
It is possible to use a permanent boot or sewing repair to reinforce at minor cuts, but you should definitely tread carefully with that sort of thing.
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I use shoe goo. It's more about sealing the cut/hole so that shards don't get stuck in there & cause a flat
than about structural integrity. It's common to dig rocks or bits of glass out of existing holes.
than about structural integrity. It's common to dig rocks or bits of glass out of existing holes.
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If I bother to do it, I do it when tire is inflated, if the only point might be fill up holes that other stuff could get into (and puncture your tube) while riding. Some holes and divots probably close up and become really hard to find if the tire is deflated.
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I recently had a small divot in my fairly new front GP 5000 with the flap a rubber still attached but was deep enough I could see the (undamaged) cords. Figured I might as well glue it back down and used Loctite Go2Gel which is a lot like Shoe Goo. It worked great. The flap seems have melded back into the tire and is impossible to see.