Tire Plugger and Slime Compressor

[b2]

If anyone is considering a puncture repair / inflation solution for their bike, here's my experience with Stop n Go plugger (the little rubber mushrooms) and a Slime mini-compressor.

My current rear tire is nearing (some might say past!) the end of its life, but before I took it in I decided to try out my repair kit, which I'd never used. I'd prefer to get some experience with at home in the garage, as opposed to at night, in the rain on the side of a freeway trying to work out how the damn thing works.

I punctured my rear tire with a screw, let it deflate and then got to work.

The Stop n Go plugger kit was really easy to use. I followed the instruction sheet step by step, taking my time to do it right. From start to finish I'd say it took me 9 minutes to plug the tire. Next time I think I'd do it in 5-6 minutes.

I already had the seat off the bike, so I connected the Slime compressor to the battery, put the hose on the tire valve, started the engine and turned on the compressor.

(I could have left the bike off, but didn't want to take any chances running the battery down).

I let the pump run for 7 minutes. I'd read on Gadget's website that in 8 mins he had over 40 psi. When I switched it off after 7 minutes I had about 37 psi. 8 mins is supposed to be the max running time for the compressor, followed by a 20 min cool down period.

So all in all, the job was completed by a first-timer in under 20 mins. I figure on the side of the road it would be a 30 minute job - including removing the seat, finding the puncture location, doing the repair and packing up.

From what I've heard these plugs hold extremely well. Mine only has to make it 15 miles to the dealer to fit the new rear tire.

Brian

[bokobob]

Excellent..thanks for the info...I have a new compressor and some plugs and haven't used them yet.

[billmac]

Good info.

I just got back from a trip to Big Bend and San Clemente Beach. I realized in Big Bend that I have insufficient air in the rear tire. I am hauling my wife and her dog on the bike with me. Nearest air was 70 miles I think. Anyway bought a little compressor at Walmart and it was dead on arrival. I am going to get the slime compressor you mentioned. I believe they sell them at AutoZone.

By the way, 45 years ago on my job, I plugged many tubeless tires with the mushroom plugs. We never had one fail. We would not plug the sidewall, just the tread area.

[ringadingh]

I always carry a plug kit in my saddlebag, you never know when youll need it.

[ells]

Thanks Brian. That is exactly the combination I carry but have never used except for testing the pump. Nice to hear of your good results.

[Cajunrider]

I carry the slime compressor with a standard plug kit. Hope I never have to use either. Thanks for posting your test Brian. Good information.

[AlabamaNomadRider]

Good information Brian, thanks for posting and letting us know. I will have to check into getting me one and some plugs.

[cactusjack]

I always carry the Slime compressor since I bought it a year ago. I also have a tire plug kit, but it's the rope type plugs. I couldn't find the mushroom-style plugs at the time.

[ndbigfish]

I always carry the Slime compressor and Stop&Go plug kit. Hope to never use either. I used to carry CO2 cartridges and rope plugs. Both have kept the gremlins away.

[billyboy]

Thanks for taking the time to write the review! I own both of those exact items and (thankfully) not had the opportunity to use them in an emergency. It's nice to know they do the job!

[blowndodge]

Thanks for posting Brian. I carry 5 CO2's with a small "gun" that attaches to the valve stem plug carry plugs. I've never used it but it sounds like it should work from reading the Stop & go Plugger kit...

[goldstar225]

Brian,

I have the same set up. I haven't had to use it for myself but did help a Mississippi rider on a trip. I came across him and some friends on the side of the road with a flat rear tire on a Sunday afternoon. His rope style plug had come out. While he hooked up the compressor I used the stop-n-go plug. Had him on his way in under 10 minutes. I won't ride without this kit.

[johnb]

I've been having a lot of bad luck with tires. Four flats in the past two years with three of them in new tires! The first three times I replaced the tires with new ones. The dealer wouldn't repair the tires, even though the manufacturers indicate that they can be repairs from inside with a patch/plug. My dealer charges full list for the tire and includes mounting and balancing. I probably could buy the tire on the web for $75-$100 less not to mention no sales tax.

I decided that this time I would learn to do it myself. I found a website ( http://www.artsautomotive.com/repair...ng-vs-plugging ) that showed the process on a car tire and I watched the video on changing tires at Jake Wilson's. I bought all the tools I would need to dismount/mount the tire, a tire buffer to roughen the repair site, I bought the patch plugs from Stop & Go (the ones that are installed from inside the tire) and a patch stitcher.

The damage to the tire was a clean straight hole, which I had temporarily plugged with the regular Stop & Go plug, so I felt that the tire was still viable. When I went to seat the beads, they set quickly, with a minute or so. I used the Slime pump to inflate the tire. That was the part I was most concerned about, that I wouldn't be able to seat the beads. But, there was no problem at all.

It worked out great. I was able to repair the tire and I now have the confidence for the next time I need a tire to replace it myself.

As for Balancing, I used 2oz of Dynabeads since it was the rear tire (18060R16). The tire I fixed was a brand new Avon Cobra.

[bokobob]

Great job..thank you for this valuable information.

[phred]

Thanks for the write up. Which slime compressor do you have? The sport or the tire top off?