Some sort of spray for puncture repair

[belgiangoth]

Just got my wife an e-bike, which has been transformative - a 30-40 min school run now takes 15 mins and from there it's a straight (Birmingham Blue Route) run to work.

Her one concern is punctures, especially with a child (6yo) on the back of the bike; it's not just learning to change an inner tube/puncture repair, it's doing this while managing an autistic nonverbal 6yo (potentially on a deadline for another school pickup).

So, while I realise "learn to fix punctures (quickly)" is the most obvious response, I am looking for some sort of sealant spray that would work - even if it's just for 20 mins to get her home (At which point I can fix it).

Tyres are 20" (406) schraeder.

[Darkman]

The thing is, even if there was some sort of spray, you'd still need to get the inner tube out to apply it (at which point you might as well just repair/replace the tube as normal)

One alternative - Puncture resistant tyres. Schwalbe Marathons or similar. They're a heavy tyre but I wouldn't think that will be a factor here.

Another option - go tubeless.

[Jdsk]

One alternative - Puncture resistant tyres. Schwalbe Marathons or similar. They're a heavy tyre but I wouldn't think that will be a factor here.

I'd go down that road, and specifically with Marathon Plus.

Jonathan

[PH]

I've seen the Zefal Repair Spray used with good effect, so much so that it's now the only puncture kit I carry on my Brompton. There's a selection of youtube videos, but basically pull out any offending object, spray into the valve, which adds sealant and inflates, job done. The only time I've seen it used was a Deliveroo rider, I was sceptical, but a week later he was still riding on it (It's only supposed to be a temporary fix )
There's no guarantee it'll fix every puncture, but if it doesn't I'd have missed the train anyway (Which is the only time I use the Brompton)

[andrew_s]

I think you are thinking of this sort of thing:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/ZEFAL-Unisexs- ... 07JRFBQ14/
(I searched "bicycle tire sealant inflator")

It's basically a spray can with a similar sealant to that used in tubeless tyres, along with enough gas to inflate the tyre.
It will work best if the inner tube is on the large size relative to the tyre size, so the tube isn't stretched (much) when inflated - eg if you use a 35 tyre, use a 40-60 tube rather than a 28-40 tube.

Other options are...

puncture-proof foam filled tyres (one of those things that get reinvented every 10 years or so - current flavour is Tannus).
https://fawkes-cycles.co.uk/components- ... 0-inch-t68
Completely proof against punctures, difficult to fit, harsh ride, grip not brilliant.

Puncture resistant tyres - Marathon Plus or similar.
These have a thick layer of rubber (blue in Schwalbe's case) under the regular tread that's too thick for most pointy objects to reach through.
It is possible to puncture them, but punctures are much less common than normal.
Heavy.

Tubeless tyres.
Have a either specific rims with no spoke holes on the inside, or a suitable tape to seal them, along with a tyre with a bead that seals against the rim with a bit of encouragement, and sealant inside that will stop most punctures before you've lost too much air.
The sealant works better than it does in tubes, tyres not being stretchy, but it won't stop the larger cuts leaking (> 4-5 mm?).
You really ought to use a proper tubeless rim rather than try to bodge your existing rim.

Marathon Plus or similar is probably the best bet.
You can always take an inflator/sealant can as well

[SimonCelsa]

As mentioned upthread:

Tannus, solid tyres would give you 100% assurance of never having a puncture. I've only met 2 people who've used these and on very brief passing conversations they appeared satisfied with the performance.

Second to that is Marathon Plus. I run these on my tandem with a front hub motor. They are about 10 years old and never punctured!! OK, not a huge mileage and looking a bit tatty now but very fit for purpose and the weight disadvantage is not really relevant when you are 'powered'.

[belgiangoth]

I think the zefal is pretty much exactly what I'm after.

Running Big Apples, not sure I would want to try Marathon+, my experience of using them for a couple years is that I still got some punctures (yes, less of them, but when they did puncture it was impossible to fix).

I use tubeless on my bike, which is great. Not sure about compatibility with e-bikes and availability of rims and big wide tyres in 406 size. (also, price)

[alanesq]

I always carry a can of puncture repair spray but I find the results mixed. Some times it works great other times it fails completely.
Same with puncture resistant tyres, they are a great improvement but far from perfect.
Best advice I would offer is carry a spare inner tube (ideally 2) and some decent tyre levers.

[mattsccm]

Solid tyres apart (and my experience, as was a mates, was that they were like riding hosepipe) nothing will definitely work. Heavy tubes and keeping good tyres on helps a bit. Aerosol sealant as above had been around for decades. It works a lot of the time . Tubeless works most of the time but in 406? Are there the tyres anyway? Slime filled tubes ?
Try double tubes. Basically, keep your tyre inflated with two tubes. Needs an extra valve hole of course but it can work as generally only one punctures . Or encase a fitted tube in a split old one before fitting.
Mobile phone probably the fastest and most reassuring back up if spray in sealant doesn't work

[Jdsk]

Mobile phone probably the fastest and most reassuring back up if spray in sealant doesn't work

Yes. Working out in advance what you're going to if, when and where you get a puncture or other problem is really helpful, even when you don't have the added responsibility of caring for someone else. And mobile 'phones can help enormously.

Jonathan

[De Sisti]

Running Big Apples, not sure I would want to try Marathon+, my experience of using them for a couple years is that I still got some punctures (yes, less of them, but when they did puncture it was impossible to fix).

It's the inner tube that you're supposed to be trying to fix, not the tyre.

[ANTONISH]

I've seen the Zefal Repair Spray used with good effect, so much so that it's now the only puncture kit I carry on my Brompton. There's a selection of youtube videos, but basically pull out any offending object, spray into the valve, which adds sealant and inflates, job done. The only time I've seen it used was a Deliveroo rider, I was sceptical, but a week later he was still riding on it (It's only supposed to be a temporary fix )
There's no guarantee it'll fix every puncture, but if it doesn't I'd have missed the train anyway (Which is the only time I use the Brompton)

The Zefal spray works but make sure the inner tubes don't have any patches.
I found out the hard way on a 300k audax - the spray worked initially but the tyre suddenly deflated.
The patches on the tube had lifted.
OTOH I used a Zefal spray to fix a puncture in a tubular when I rode the Paris - Roubaix randonee and it stayed usable for months.

[Mike Sales]

I have seen tubulars fitted inside 700C tyres.
A super inner tube I suppose.

[mattheus]

Second to that is Marathon Plus. I run these on my tandem with a front hub motor. They are about 10 years old and never punctured!! OK, not a huge mileage and looking a bit tatty now but very fit for purpose and the weight disadvantage is not really relevant when you are 'powered'.

Another testimony for Marathon+. I've seen the drawing pin test!

I've ridden 200km on winter days, so they're not unusable. It's not impossible to puncture them, but other stuff can go wrong on any journey - even car tyres go flat, and they're much harder to fix, and much harder to push your vehicle to school!

[Jdsk]

If removing and refitting Marathon Plus tyres is a concern then I recommend carrying a lever:
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=147168

Jonathan