September 30, 201114 yr The long dreaded ominous tapping from the front wheel began, as I stopped I prayed that it was just something caught in the spokes. No such luck. There it was, Satan's dart, plumb on the centre line of the tyre. Not just a common or garden thorn, but a roofing felt clout. Looking just like an overgrown drawing pin, this evil, threequarters of an inch long barb of malevolence, with a large round, flat head, glared back at me. Just the thing for puncturing a tyre. Of course, the Schwalbe kevlar 'puncture resistant' band did not stand a chance. Gently picking at the head, which is all that I could see, and hoping against hope that it had not gone right through, I was rewarded with a fierce hiss, the envy of any cobra. I pushed it back and it seemed to be satisfied and stopped hissing. Two and a half miles to home. Could I make it or would the fates be against me? I had the equipment and spare tube with me, but it is so much easier to repair it in my garage. Luck was with me, I pedalled my best, engine on full throttle, wishing that I had bought that bottle of slime. I made it. Strangely, the tyre did not seem to be leaking even though the nail had gone right through. When I pulled the nail out, the tyre rapidly deflated. Such are the joys of cycling.
September 30, 201114 yr Had a similar experience myself, though a smaller thorn and a slow (overnight) puncture so I didn't realise straight away. This is a view from inside the kevlar tyre, the brown thorn almost centre of frame- http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6015/6194611010_c985d56409.jpg So, yes, I slimed it and all is well once more. http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6021/6194627630_537a99290b.jpg Edited September 30, 201114 yr by miker71
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