SonexBuilders.net

Hi All,

My flying "bucket list" includes extended trips to the Out Back. In this environment punctures are pretty well inevitable. I have been contemplating the best (least weight, smallest, quickest ) emergency/get me home solutions.

(A) Obviously I can carry a spare tyre/tube, appropriate tools, patches and a pump - all pretty heavy/bulky to carry and time consuming to use.

(B) I am intrigued by the emergency stop leak & inflate aerosol tyre inflators (various manufacturers) - do they actually work? - are they safe to carry to altitude (we are limited to 10,000ft)? etc ?

So I seek the advise of those who have used the traditional (A) and of course those who have experience with (B)

For the (B) advisors please recommend a product.

My thanks, in anticipation of a flood of advice.

I carry one of these (with spare CO2 cartridges) to inflate a tire or top one off if it gets soft.

https://www.competitivecyclist.com/lezy ... ve-co2-25g

A total of two 25g cartridges will get a 5.00 x 5 tire inflated with some gas to spare.

Upside - small and relatively light.
Downside - one shot and you are done - unless you carry spare cartridges.

Peter Anson sells lightweight jacks. I have one, nice and light simple product. Combine that with an inner tube patch kit and small bike pump plus tools to disassemble the wheel, and now you can actually fix it. I would be interested if the fix-a-flat goo in a can stuff works on an inner tube tire. I’m not sure if it’s the same problem as tubeless or not.

Gordon

GordonTurner wrote:I would be interested if the fix-a-flat goo in a can stuff works on an inner tube tire. I’m not sure if it’s the same problem as tubeless or not.

Gordon

I suspect it will leak out the seam of the split wheel halves faster than it can "set up". And it's a horrendous solution to clean up after.

Good idea on the co2 fill device. Amazon has lots of options on those as well. Ideally, if you can change to tubeless tires and wheels you could just carry a plug kit also, and be in good shape. There would be no tools required.

For tube tires, I'd imagine you'd need spare tubes or patch kits, and all the tools to change them. That's certainly not something I'd want to be doing out in the wild.

I've never looked into the fix a flat type goo for tubes. That might work OK, and might not be a horrendous mess since it's going inside the tube, hopefully plugging the small hole fairly quickly. Some would get out and to the inside of the wheel, but it might not be so bad as an emergency solution.

Rusty

PS- Seems there are specific sealants for use with tubes, and you can even put the sealant in before you get a puncture. This would be the most convenient for sure, assuming it works. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07X3XYYZ5?ta ... rsherpa-20

I'll second the motion for Peter Anson's jack. It's clever and light. I carry a spare tube, tiny push bike pump, valve extension thingy plus a handful of tools necessary to do the job. What I haven't figured out is how not to get grease on my hands. It takes about the same time to fix a flat on my push bike. Go to http://www.ansoneng.com/ to order one of his jacks.

Another vote for carrying Peter’s jack, a spare tube, and all tools needed to make a “permanent” field repair. I’ve done it twice (in over 2100 landings, so not a frequent occurrence), worth every penny in cost and pound in baggage to know your fix will hold for the next landing, and beyond.

jaflint wrote:Another vote for carrying Peter’s jack, a spare tube, and all tools needed to make a “permanent” field repair. I’ve done it twice (in over 2100 landings, so not a frequent occurrence), worth every penny in cost and pound in baggage to know your fix will hold for the next landing, and beyond.

Large areas of inland Australia is infested with the Tribulus terrestris plant, the seed pod of which can puncture a tyre.
Landing, taxying on - grass, dirt/gravel or close to the edge of sealed surfaces can result in a puncture.

I have viewed peter Anson's jack/video - my Sonex is fitted with leg fairings, that cover most of the wheel axle, that the jack uses for a lift point. I will contact Peter for his comment.

If all else fails, pack the tire with grass and other organic material. This is for real emergency gotta get to civilization fixes. One time use.