Will Fix-a-flat get you home?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2023
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 571
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 366 Post(s)
Liked 274 Times
in
175 Posts
Will Fix-a-flat get you home?
I was in Home Depot and noticed the cans of Fix-a-flat. If it is designed to fix up a car tire, it seems like it might fix a flat bike tire pretty easily. Does anyone have experience with this product? It is available in lots of stores. I have tubes and schrader valves on my bike, but I am open to any thoughts.
#2
Happy With My Bikes
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 2,187
Bikes: Hi-Ten bike boomers, a Trek Domane and some projects
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 884 Post(s)
Liked 2,308 Times
in
1,118 Posts
I think a co2 inflator will take up less room in a saddle bag.
__________________
"It is the unknown around the corner that turns my wheels." -- Heinz Stücke
"It is the unknown around the corner that turns my wheels." -- Heinz Stücke
#3
I'm good to go!
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 15,001
Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020
Mentioned: 51 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6197 Post(s)
Liked 4,813 Times
in
3,321 Posts
Are you having a lot of flats? A new inner tube and CO2 inflator or good frame pump will probably serve you better. There is a limit to how big a hole that stuff can fix. And while a new tube won't fix a tire with a big cut or hole in it, a new tube and a improvised boot will.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Hacienda Hgts
Posts: 2,109
Bikes: 1999 Schwinn Peloton Ultegra 10, Kestrel RT-1000 Ultegra, Trek Marlin 6 Deore 29'er
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 823 Post(s)
Liked 1,961 Times
in
944 Posts
Please do.
We need a pre and post video account of its effectiveness.
Who knows?
For the record, I would not even use this product on a flat car tire without a tube because of the mess it makes and getting a tire shop to patch/plug the puncture will not happen. You will be advised to purchase a new tire.
We need a pre and post video account of its effectiveness.
Who knows?
For the record, I would not even use this product on a flat car tire without a tube because of the mess it makes and getting a tire shop to patch/plug the puncture will not happen. You will be advised to purchase a new tire.
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2023
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 571
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 366 Post(s)
Liked 274 Times
in
175 Posts
I see Fix-a-flat as a potential emergency solution. Not to carry around, but if you need it, it's available at a big box store, gas station, convenience store - lots of places.
#6
Clark W. Griswold
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: ,location, location
Posts: 13,540
Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26
Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4359 Post(s)
Liked 4,001 Times
in
2,670 Posts
I would recommend first off getting good tires and making sure you have a good rim strip and all of that. Then before my ride I would make sure my tire is properly inflated and in my saddle bag I have a tube and a tire lever (or however many you desire) and a pump or at least some method of inflation. Then I wouldn't worry about messes or gimmicks from a place that doesn't actually deal in bicycles and bicycle equipment on a serious level (yes I know wally-mart sells Bell branded crap and things that look like bikes...)
I have a feeling that if I used that product on a car tire it would be an unmitigated disaster and a huge mess and would cost me more money having to replace the tire or remove it and clean it and all of that it isn't worth it.
I have a feeling that if I used that product on a car tire it would be an unmitigated disaster and a huge mess and would cost me more money having to replace the tire or remove it and clean it and all of that it isn't worth it.
Likes For veganbikes:
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,085
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 440 Post(s)
Liked 264 Times
in
162 Posts
They make a similar product to fix a flat for cycling. I can’t remember the name, sorry
edit to add
sized for cycling
edit to add
sized for cycling
Last edited by Bmach; 02-23-24 at 12:41 PM.
#8
Grupetto Bob
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Seattle-ish
Posts: 6,227
Bikes: Bikey McBike Face
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2587 Post(s)
Liked 5,649 Times
in
2,924 Posts
#9
Full Member
Join Date: Jun 2022
Location: San Diego, California USA
Posts: 353
Bikes: 1974 Masi GC, 1982 Trek 728 (aka 720), 1992 Trek Multitrack 750
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 122 Post(s)
Liked 222 Times
in
140 Posts
I used "Slime" filled inner tubes when i lived in goathead infested Bakersfield, Cal. The stuff was great. There were times, mostly in the fall when a fresh crop of goathead thorns littered the roads, when I would get a dozen hypodermic needle sized punctures. "Slime" fixed it in a jiff. It was a life saver. I don't live there now so it is not the issue it was.
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,257
Mentioned: 211 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18424 Post(s)
Liked 15,582 Times
in
7,337 Posts
I'm not having a lot of flats, and I carry spare tubes and a pump. That, as you say, a better solution.
I see Fix-a-flat as a potential emergency solution. Not to carry around, but if you need it, it's available at a big box store, gas station, convenience store - lots of places.
I see Fix-a-flat as a potential emergency solution. Not to carry around, but if you need it, it's available at a big box store, gas station, convenience store - lots of places.
#11
Old fart
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Appleton WI
Posts: 24,792
Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.
Mentioned: 153 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3591 Post(s)
Liked 3,401 Times
in
1,935 Posts
#12
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2023
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 571
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 366 Post(s)
Liked 274 Times
in
175 Posts
I'm not sure why that matters. You flat both tires, your pump breaks, you packed the wrong size spare tube, you can't find the bit of staple because it's cold and dark and you keep getting flats, somebody messed with your stuff - whatever. I can just see a situation where you don't have what you need and you're not close to a bike store, but you are close to someplace that sells Fix-a-flat.
#13
I'm good to go!
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 15,001
Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020
Mentioned: 51 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6197 Post(s)
Liked 4,813 Times
in
3,321 Posts
I'm not sure why that matters. You flat both tires, your pump breaks, you packed the wrong size spare tube, you can't find the bit of staple because it's cold and dark and you keep getting flats, somebody messed with your stuff - whatever. I can just see a situation where you don't have what you need and you're not close to a bike store, but you are close to someplace that sells Fix-a-flat.
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,257
Mentioned: 211 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18424 Post(s)
Liked 15,582 Times
in
7,337 Posts
I'm not sure why that matters. You flat both tires, your pump breaks, you packed the wrong size spare tube, you can't find the bit of staple because it's cold and dark and you keep getting flats, somebody messed with your stuff - whatever. I can just see a situation where you don't have what you need and you're not close to a bike store, but you are close to someplace that sells Fix-a-flat.
Heh. I finally figured out what flim clip your post reminds me of.
Last edited by indyfabz; 02-23-24 at 09:23 AM.
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,820
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 504 Post(s)
Liked 636 Times
in
376 Posts
Emergency? near a big box store? I'm sure there is cell service and UBER. I once had to fill a 26x2 tire full of twigs and leaves to get me back from the middle of nowhere (it's amazing how nuch it takes to fill that little void) I tried grass first, but that only made pulpy wheat grass juice after a mile or two.
Likes For wheelreason:
#18
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2023
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 571
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 366 Post(s)
Liked 274 Times
in
175 Posts
I would scrap the tube anyway after a puncture - many don't. The tire isn't likely to be ruined because the gunk is supposed to seal the puncture and stay in the tube. Having never tried it, I don't know. Scrapping a tube isn't a big deal.
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,820
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 504 Post(s)
Liked 636 Times
in
376 Posts
The issue is that it may or may not seal based on the size and shape of the hole(s) on the tire, and you won't know until you try, and if it doesn't, then what? If you are near a big box (or just as thought experiment), you could use expanding foam, allowing for it to vent, and then trim with a blade, in either case, don't bring it to a LBS after and not mention what you did, makes mechanic turn green and rip out of his clothes.
#20
Clark W. Griswold
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: ,location, location
Posts: 13,540
Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26
Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4359 Post(s)
Liked 4,001 Times
in
2,670 Posts
Emergency? near a big box store? I'm sure there is cell service and UBER. I once had to fill a 26x2 tire full of twigs and leaves to get me back from the middle of nowhere (it's amazing how nuch it takes to fill that little void) I tried grass first, but that only made pulpy wheat grass juice after a mile or two.
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,257
Mentioned: 211 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18424 Post(s)
Liked 15,582 Times
in
7,337 Posts
BTW...See edit.
#22
Sunshine
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 16,617
Bikes: '18 class built steel roadbike, '19 Fairlight Secan, '88 Schwinn Premis , Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross V4, '89 Novara Trionfo
Mentioned: 123 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10970 Post(s)
Liked 7,496 Times
in
4,192 Posts
Whatever the potential situation may be, a clearly better flat fix solution is to use the finger of a nitrile glove and some tape.
https://www.bikeforums.net/general-c...-patchjob.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/general-c...-patchjob.html
#25
Banned
Smart riders that use a sealant in their mountain bike tires also carry a spare tube and a way to inflate it. The sealant can burp and not provide a good seal and the best recourse is to insert a tube and add air. I started with sewup tires but I have always preferred to fix a flat in a hotel room or at my house and not sitting beside the road.