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Booting a Ripped Tire Sidewall
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A ripped tire is bad news. It doesn't perform well, can't be
pumped up fully, and the tube bulges out through the rip, just waiting to
pop. By applying a tire boot, you can ride on the tire. This will get you
down the trail, and if the rip isn't too big, it may even let you ride the
tire until the tread wears off.
But I wouldn't recommend jumping off ledges with a booted tire. Repair
the tire and salvage your ride. But first chance you get, buy a new one.
Put the repaired tire on your kid's bike, or give it to your neighbor who
only rides pavement. |
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First, get the area clean. Wash the talc and dust off the
area of the rip, both inside and out.
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Pick out a large rubber patch. For a tiny rip, a 1-inch by
2-inch will do. For a major rip, you want a big mutha -- at least 2x2. The
best source for these big patches is a car tire patch kit, which you can
pick up at the auto parts store. |
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Rub the inside clean. I try to avoid sandpaper on the inside
of the tire, but if you need to remove some buildup, sand VERY sparingly on the inside. The cords are
covered by a very thin layer of rubber. If you sand this thin layer of
rubber off and expose the cords (the "strings" that give the
tire strength), the patch won't stick well.
Also lightly sand the outside, being careful not to expose the cords. If there are raised letters in the area,
smooth them off so the outside patch can cover them. |
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Apply rubber cement to the outside, and rub it into the
exposed cords.
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Spread rubber cement on the inside, about half an inch wider
than your boot. Wait until the cement is dry -- both inside, outside, and
in the exposed cords. |
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When the cement is non-sticky to touch, peel the backing off
the big inside patch.
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Press the patch down firmly, centered over the rip. Massage
the patch onto the tire, also "squishing" the exposed cords on
the outside down, so the outside seems sealed. |
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Pick out a small patch for the outside of the tire. This
patch should cover the exposed threads, and reinforce the inside repair.
It can't cover the treads, and should NOT go into the area where the tire
must contact the rim.
Reapply a very thin layer of rubber cement to the outside, then wait
until it's dry to touch. |
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When the glue is dry, press the outside patch into place.
Your tire is now ready to go back on the bike.
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Hint 1: Duct tape works for temporary repair of small
sidewall cuts.
Hint 2: Wrap a strip of inner tube around-and-around the
partially-inflated new tube at the place where the sidewall is ripped,
before putting the tube back in the tire casing.
Hint 3: For large tears, or for long rim cuts (such as this
4-incher on Matt's rear wheel), put cable ties around both rim and wheel.
This keeps the expanding tube from pushing the repair open.
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