Planning to go on a few short foreign trips this (hopefully) coming summer I want to be prepaired. I have just fitted a new tyre so I've done what I could but there's still the chance of finding that one nail.
I'm looking to buy a little repair kit but, not having owned or used one before I'm a little wary. Being sold here in the Uk are "stop 'n go" repair kits.
Have you used them and would you recommend them?
Thanks guys.

 

There are two types of repair kits...

Plugs, and patches. Patches have to be applied to the inside of the tire. Plugs can be used without dismantling or removing the tire. You probably already knew that much...

There are also two types of plugs. One is shaped like a mushroom, or an umbrella, essentially having a sort of patch on the inside when it is installed correctly. These, of course, are more expensive. But, the good thing is they are pretty much as easy to install as a rubberized twisted 'rag' type plug. Both are pressed into the puncture, where a nail or screw has been removed.

When you remove the screw/nail, be sure to note which direction it is at. That will help you to know the angle that the plug needs to be inserted. Follow directions in the repair kit for more specific information...

Umbrella/mushroom plugs kits:
http://www.stopngo.com/categories/Tire-Pluggers/

Twisted 'rag', or rope type plugs kits:
http://www.stopngo.com/categories/Ro...e-Repair-Kits/

Of course, this is just one brand. There are others...

 

Another alternative is a gunge you put in the tyres that then lives there for the rest of the life of the tyre. I also have been abroad a few times in recent years and used it, although never knowingly made use of it, if you see the difference! The stuff I use is called Puncture Safe. Just fitted two new tyres, so I need to get some more. You can get it on UK Ebay.

 

I have used a plain plug kit. Looks like a rubber sticky strip about 3 inches long. On the road, I have plugged a tire and rode 150 miles and put on another 3-400. did 75-80 and checked the air pressure every 50 miles or so the first few times. I did not lose any air. As a matter of fact I did not lose air for over a month, and then the loss was minimal.

Pull nail or screw out.
Use file/rasp to clean out the hole.
feed sticky rubber strip in the eye of the tool halfway. looks like a big needle.
Stick it in the hole, you have to force it. Go down about 3/4 of the way. Pull and twist in a hard fast motion and your done. About 1/2 to an inch will be sticking out of the tire. trim it a bit and off you go. less than 10 minutes. Hopefully you have access to an air pump or compresssor when you pull the nail or screw out.

 

I just got the stop and go mushroom kit with CO2 cartridges. Gonna stash it along with a few tools/parts where the abs module goes. Hope I never have to use it?