Plugged tyre

[Mikuzzi]

On the weekend I had my rear tyre punctured with a 40mm long wood screw. I plugged the tyre with a kit that uses shaped rubber plugs (not the cord type). The repair got me home without problems, so the kit did its job. Checking 24 hours later the tyre is not losing any air and the plug looks ok.

 

My head is saying, ditch the tyre and replace it - it’s a Pirelli Angel ST with just 1000Km on it, my wallet, though, is complaining loudly at the prospect.

 

I checked an old 2007 thread on here where opinion was pretty much divided down the line between replacement of a plugged tyre or running through full life as long as the plug was good.

 

My question then is this: Is there anybody here that has had a plugged tyre fail during “normal” use?

[Trevini]

I don't think you're likely to get a plugged repair fail as such, other than just leaking again, at any rate. However, that does depend on a number of variables, like quality of repair, repair kit, positiion of plug in tread etc...You would be the best judge of that.

 

You're obviously concerned (however slightly), or you wouldn't be asking for opinions on here, so on that basis I'd be inclined to replace it sooner rather than later. It's never worth compromising on safety, but maybe it's worth keeping a check on it for a time/mileage and if it's condition deteriorates act on it then. At least it'll give your wallet time to prepare!

 

Ride safe

 

Trev

[GuzziMoto]

I have ridden plenty of miles on plugged tires. Never had an issue.

But as mentioned if you are worried about it replace it.

[Dan M]

I have ridden plenty of miles on plugged tires. Never had an issue.

But as mentioned if you are worried about it replace it.

 

+1. Never an issue here either. My LeMans has a plug in the front tire right now. I prefer the rope style plugs.

I have never seen a plug come out. We have plugged literally thousands of car tires in my shop over the years. It is a reliable repair.

[docc]

It does probably reduce its Z rating to H, so try to keep it under 200 kph.

[Mikuzzi]

The tyre pressure hasn't budged in 3 days and I'm pretty comfortable running on it for a while (and monitoring as suggested).

I suppose I was interested to hear if there had been any known catastophic failures of a plugged tyre as opposed to the repair failing and the tyre losing air the same way as, say, getting another puncture.

 

Thanks for your input guys.

[gavo]

The tyre pressure hasn't budged in 3 days and I'm pretty comfortable running on it for a while (and monitoring as suggested).

I suppose I was interested to hear if there had been any known catastophic failures of a plugged tyre as opposed to the repair failing and the tyre losing air the same way as, say, getting another puncture.

 

Thanks for your input guys.

 

If the plug is the sort thats installed from the outside of the tyre then they are for short term emergecy use only and the legal requirment in Oz is the plugs with the mushroom head that must be fitted from inside the tyre. How do I know this? 4weeks ago and a week before a trip i got a rear flat the bike shop that repaired it said this was the requirment. I rode 2 up fully loaded QLD to VIC, started to go flat at Reefton spur (slowly) tore the rear up a fair bit, bought new pilot2 road in Melbourne> with the mushroom type it's physicaly impossible for it to blow the plug out but can you ever be 100% on what the tyre case will do when dammaged.

[Mikuzzi]

The tyre pressure hasn't budged in 3 days and I'm pretty comfortable running on it for a while (and monitoring as suggested).

I suppose I was interested to hear if there had been any known catastophic failures of a plugged tyre as opposed to the repair failing and the tyre losing air the same way as, say, getting another puncture.

 

Thanks for your input guys.

 

If the plug is the sort thats installed from the outside of the tyre then they are for short term emergecy use only and the legal requirment in Oz is the plugs with the mushroom head that must be fitted from inside the tyre. How do I know this? 4weeks ago and a week before a trip i got a rear flat the bike shop that repaired it said this was the requirment. I rode 2 up fully loaded QLD to VIC, started to go flat at Reefton spur (slowly) tore the rear up a fair bit, bought new pilot2 road in Melbourne> with the mushroom type it's physicaly impossible for it to blow the plug out but can you ever be 100% on what the tyre case will do when dammaged.

 

 

Gavo, thanks - I hadn't considered the legal aspect, although in VIC we don't have to go through a yearly check at rego time like NSW (and QLD?). I'm taking the wheel to a bike tyre specialist tomorrow to get it plugged properly with the tyre off or, changed for a new one if it looks too manky from the inside.