Duct Tape: It Holds the Universe Together…and Inner Tubes Too!
August 8, 2008 by Richard Martens
Filed under Tips
If there is one thing that sucks almost as much as severe bodily injury then it has to be getting a flat in the middle of the trail. While there are some articles on what to bring with you in case this happens, there is not one that actually tells you how to fix a flat when you are in the middle of no where.
In an ideal world, everyone carries enough patch kits with them to fix every flat they will ever get. However any experienced mountain bike rider will tell you that sometimes the trail gods hate you and it seems like you get a flat every time you pedal a full rotation. In these times having a roll of duck tape, a couple of flat head screwdrivers, and a tire pump are your last and final line of defense against the whiles of both the trials and their gods.
With the following steps you will learn that not only can you do an emergency flat repair, but that in some cases you can even resurrect a trashed tire long enough to get you to home base.
Minimal tools that you will need
- Wrenches sized to the nuts on your wheels
- Two flat head screw drivers or putty knives
- A roll of grey duct tape
- Tire pump
Step 1: Removing the flat tire
The first step in this process is to put the bike in a position that is comfortable for you to work on. Most people prefer the bike to be upside down using the seat and handle bars much like a bench. However some prefer to work on their bikes with the wheels on the ground, or laying side ways. It really makes little difference so long as you are comfortable.
With the correct sized wrench placed squarely on the nut, turn in a counter clockwise direction. Once the nut becomes hand loose, proceed to finger twist the nut off enough to allow the tire to be taken from its supports. Repeat this process for the other side of the tire.
Step 2: Remove the tire from the Wheel
Making sure to let out any remaining air in the tube slide either your flat head screw driver or putty knife carefully under the lip of the tire. Using the leverage provided by the edge of the wheel push slowly down on the handle of your tool until the lip of the tire is sitting over the edge of the wheel rim.
Next insert the second flat head screwdriver or putty knife and slowly push it around the edge of the tire lifting the lip of the tire over the edge of the wheel rim until one edge of the tire is completely removed from the wheel rim. There may be a few areas you really need to coax the tire over, and remember to keep constant pressure on the other tool to make sure the tire does not “hide” back under the wheel rim.
Step 3: Locate the puncture
While this can be done visually and with spit, it is suggested you use some water to clean the tube first. After cleaning the tube inflate the tube with your tire pump and using all your senses locate the leak. Most leaks are pretty easy to find and will hiss fairly loudly. If you are having a hard time locating the leak use water to sparingly splash on the tube and look for bubbles created by escaping air.
Step 4: Repair the puncture
At the location of the leak take the roll of duct tape and place the edge of the tape about a half inch from the puncture. Then slowly wrap the tube two to three times. It is important to not wrap to tightly as this can cause the tube to squeeze when it is inflated. However, also pay attention not to wrap to loosely or the leak will most likely not be sealed.
There is some debate among bikers as to the correct way to use duct tape to seal a leak. Some believe it is best to wrap the tape around the are of the puncture while others feel that using a square much like a patch is a better idea. From personal experience it is better to just wrap the tube because squares tend to fall off more readily which means repeating the whole process again.
Step 5: Replace the tube back into the wheel
Again making sure the tube is out of air place the nipple into the slot in the wheel and slowly place the rest of the tube around the wheel.
Step 6: Replace Tire
Taking care not to pinch the tube replace the tire by using your palms to set the lip of the tire back into the rim of the wheel until the tire is once again in place.
Step 7: Pump up the tire
Using your tire pump, pump the tire up to your normal psi
Step 8: Get back on the trail!
Get back on the trial and try to make it back to home base quick. There is no guarantee that this patch will last long and the sooner you make it back home the better off both you and your bike are.
So there you have it. A great way to fix a flat with duct tape. If you have a patch kit handy simply follow the above directions with exception of instead of using duct tape use a patch kit instead. Most patch kits provide directions on their proper application so this should be a fairly easy process as well.
Until next time, good trails and good rides.
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This post was written by:
Richard Martens - who has written 16 posts on Mountain bike product reviews, bike builds, trail reviews, forum, and tips – MTOBikes.com.
hello dear sir, andar here. i enjoy post of yours very much so. i am agree to you. good day.
I highly recommend Thorn Proof tubes loaded up with SLIME if you keep getting flats. Also check your rims and tires to see if they are cutting the tube.
If you don’t use SLIME, you can find leaks fast by using a valve core tool to take out the core, then filling the tube with WATER and pumping up briskly to see where it squirts out. Find the holes, open them with a knife or the valve core tool, then dump the water out before putting the core back in. Dry and patch the holes, and you’re on your way, maybe with some water left to drink!