Replace Sticky string?

[RossKean]

I managed to pick up a sheet metal screw in my front tire during a ride yesterday. Found a tire shop that put in a sticky string and I was back on the road in 10 minutes. The repair seems to be holding air but I have never been a fan of sticky strings except as an emergency fix. The hole is a perfectly round puncture in the dead center of the tread.

If I demount the tire and remove the string to do a "proper" patch/plug from the inside, am I likely to do more damage? I have never tried this. I don't want to start a discussion on replacing the tire - I am certainly comfortable with a proper repair. I just don't know if I should leave "well enough" alone. I have, in the past, had sticky string repairs in a rear tire last the life of the tire without issue but I am a little more concerned about a front.

Thanks...

 

[El Toro Joe]

If you're going to dismount the tire...you should be able to just pull the sticky string out with pliers.

 

[101stpathfinder]

FWIW

I had a sticky string hold up fine for 3 weeks with no problems until yesterday in Daytona. Somehow it got pulled out (?) and I had another rolling flat.

My $.02 would be (If the tire still has good wear left) to replace the string with a patch.

 

[RossKean]

FWIWI had a sticky string hold up fine for 3 weeks with no problems until yesterday in Daytona. Somehow it got pulled out (?) and I had another rolling flat.

My $.02 would be (If the tire still has good wear left) to replace the string with a patch.

As I mentioned, I have never tried to pull a sticky string out and didn't know if there would be damage to the area around the hole if I tried. Based upon your comment (and El Toro Joe's), I think I will do it. The tire still has a few thousand miles left in it so I am not ready to replace it. These are the new Pirelli Angel GT's and I like them a lot. They handle well and do not seem to wear as badly (trapezoidal ridge) as the Michelins (PR2 and PR3). Always liked the Michelins during the first half of their lifetime but sometimes could hardly wait until they were done so I could replace them.

 

[101stpathfinder]

The sticky string will come out without causing damage - Yes.

If the tire has good thread and the hole is in between, there is no hurry. The hole on my tire was on a bare spot (Over 16k on the rear tire) This is probably why it came out.

The sticky strings are great for "Valley" holes, not so great for "Ridge" holes. They pull out with ease.

 

[RossKean]

Hole is dead center - on a "ridge", not a "valley". I will see if I can get to it later this week. At least before I head out for a long ride anywhere. I rode 250 miles or so yesterday with the string since I was quite a way from home when it was noticed but I don't think I will push my luck much further.

 

[dcarver]

In the past I've simply cut the string flush on the inner side and patched away.

 

[PhilJet09]

Unfortunately, I have a lot of experience with this. I had six flats last year and one early this year. If I'm away from home, I use the strings to get me home, then pull the tire and do a proper patch/plug repair. The strings will pull right out from the inside without doing additional damage.

I had one of my first patch/plug repairs leak (very slow) on me. Since then, I have acquired ALL the proper tools and chemicals to do the repair correctly, and haven't had a problem since. I've had no issues wearing these repaired tires all the way out.

 

[escapefjrtist]

Since it's a front tire, I'm with the group that says pull the sticky string and do a proper patch / plug repair.

I've been putting off buying a professional patch / plug kit but it's time to have one in the wings for next time. Like PJ above^^^^ I don't have any issues wearing out a properly repaired tire.

--G

 

[RossKean]

I seem to average one or two flats per season (20-25k miles). If the tire is 75% or more finished, I will generally replace it. I wouldn't even consider relying upon a string repair anywhere there wasn't quite a lot of tire meat for it to adhere to. Much more comfortable with a patch/plug although I have run a rear tire with a sticky string to the end of its natural life (puncture wasn't near the middle of the tread).

I am in full agreement with the collective - replace the temporary repair ASAP, using a proper patch/plug from the inside. I don't think I would cut off the sticky string from the inside and try to patch over it. Without the wad of string on the inside, there's not much to hold it in place. The patch/plug is a single piece of vulcanized rubber that will form a permanent bond with the tire (if done correctly). Almost impossible to remove without wrecking the tire which is why I asked about possible damage in removing a sticky string. I don't have the gear to do it properly myself but I have a friend who will help me out - might cost me a beer or two.

 

[101stpathfinder]

Hole is dead center - on a "ridge", not a "valley". I will see if I can get to it later this week. At least before I head out for a long ride anywhere. I rode 250 miles or so yesterday with the string since I was quite a way from home when it was noticed but I don't think I will push my luck much further.

Just make sure you monitor your tire pressure and be super sensitive to handling of the bike. I kept putting it off even though side to side mobility felt slow. By the time I surrendered to pulling into a rest stop... it was totally flat.

There is nothing "Good" about riding on a totally flat tire.

 

[xcsp]

I had a puncture in a rear tire that only had 1,000 miles on it, tried on 2 attempts to put a patch/plug in it from the inside to repair it with no success. Put the gooey string plug in it from the outside and rode it another 8,000 miles before it started to leak.

Now, if this had been a front tire, I would have replaced the tire rather than take a chance.

(A temporary plug to get me home, but then replace the tire.)

 

[Queensland Ken]

Had a few punctures recently, the last was rear PR2 with less than 1000 kms.

I fixed my last using this type of internal plug, works well. (so far)

 

[SoCalFJR1300]

I had a worm plug or "sticky string" come out on me once.

The only proper secure way to patch a tire is a plug/patch from the inside so it's "vulcanized" with the tire rubber.......sticky is only really a "temp" repair.

 

[escapefjrtist]

Had a few punctures recently, the last was rear PR2 with less than 1000 kms.
I fixed my last using this type of internal plug, works well. (so far)

Those are the ones. The stems come in different sizes depending on how large the original puncture is. Check out Rema TIP TOP.

--G

 

[Queensland Ken]

I have to find a supplier of them local or in cyberspace.

Be good to get some smaller diameter ones as I had to ream out the puncture hole to install it.

 

[Fred W]

Had a few punctures recently, the last was rear PR2 with less than 1000 kms.
I fixed my last using this type of internal plug, works well. (so far)

This ^

 

[FJRMGM]

used the sticky string many times on both motorcycles and cars and never had a problem with them.

But YMMV and its your bike so do as you want.

 

[jmgrif]

I have used string and mushroom plug in the past! I've been told... when using string in the "Back Tire", to not accelerate quickly, at least not before the string has had a chance to vulcanize with the tire? I'm not sure about the torque value placed on the front tire through acceleration and the effect it would have on said string? As for the mushroom plug, preparing the inside of the tire surface is very important for adhesion to take place! If not done properly you won't get the seal you require. How do I know!