No, not that kind of Latex calamity. I’m talking tubes and flats (again). Not a year passes without someone, marketing a new cure for the common puncture. Well, quick fix resurrection is probably more accurate. Timely these GUP sealant and inflator cannisters arrived at my door.
These work to the “spare wheel
in a can narrative”. Find and remove any offending sharps from the tyre
casing(s). Open the valve, deflating completely. Shake the cannister
vigorously, plug the yellow “smart” head on and then push upwards to release
the mixture of sealant and CO2. In common with pocket Co2 inflator tools,
delivery is very controllable. Releasing your grip, eases the flow.
Other designs I’ve used
previously haver managed around the 60-65psi mark. This sort of pressure’s
enough to limp home on but not going to blow a 700x25c into smithereens. Jettisoning
the whole lot in one press isn’t problematic.
I’ve managed 90psi inside
these 38mm Soma Shikoro https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/s ,
which is impressive. Whip the head off, then spin the wheel quickly, so sealant
can race to and plug holes. Give the tyres another, quick onceover; then scoot
off.
Sounds perfect for the Monday
commute, or when you’re weary, toward the end of a long ride…
Alas, there are limits to any
goo-based product. Should they fail, the result can be a big ‘old, undignified
mess!
Most will seal small holes
(1mm or so) with no problems, provided the sealant is still mobile (varies from
brand to brand but expect a year or so’s useful service from this genre).
Much bigger, or something
close to the valve, spells new tube and big clean up. So, ensure you’ve a
decent spare holidaying in your luggage, and carry some wipes/cloths too-just
in case. The Shikoro succumbed to a very aggressive sharp. This had sliced deep
into the centre strip.
Taking an educated gamble,
with the GUP reaped great reward. It didn’t, with this Panaracer T serv. A phantom flat by all accounts and not one
that, I can attribute to my malevolent farm cat, either. (Although, I’m
convinced the old boy takes exception, to the scent of some tyre compounds). Further
inspection revealed a weakness around the valve stem, one seemingly common to
the budget bundle types.
600 miles in, I’ve reached my short-term
conclusions about, which have delighted me with their quick, yet super
compliant ride quality. Soma Fabrications Supple Vitesse EX tyres https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/soma-fabrications-vitesse those
seeking something more tourist; should look at these Schwalbe Evolution Marathon
Supreme https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/schwalbe-marathon-supreme-tyre
Steve gave them a good blast
through Cumbria https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/cycling-in-cumbria-s-border-country
. He reckons they lack the outright invulnerability of the Marathon plus but
are that bit friskier, easier
Trailers and folders also
deserve good rubber.
However, all too often, when
it comes to trailers, OEM types are the cheapest knobblies going. Functional
enough, to a point. However, something I’d look to upgrade expediently.
Now I use my Yak homage as
part of the testing process. This might be a tourer or adventure bike’s
stability, or “just” seeing how tyres perform in different contexts. Dave
Taylor at Schwalbe UK has learned of this, so is generously some Marathon Plus.
Elsewhere, having discovered the
Mango body is in fact, GRP, I’ve been approaching motorcycle refinishers, to
see if they’d be interested. I’ve had a couple of very positive leads. Another,
similarly helpful spray shop said he didn’t have the room but…had some contacts
in Northamptonshire, who would be able to facilitate.
A couple have been very
enthused about the project and given, back-of-an-envelope quotes. That’s for
John to decide but progress, nonetheless. Nothing from Sun Star either, so he’s
machining a spider from a budget Sun race triple…
I on the other hand am beset
with excruciating toothache, which as suspected, is an abscess. Prescribed
antibiotics and more, heavy duty ibuprofen painkiller, I’m presently sporting a
pout. The kind, some people pay a fortune for. Wasn’t expecting these side
effects though…
