Flat Tire--

[Tom Schindler]

Hi All--

Unfortunately, while gliding around tonight in Worcester, MA, i realize how bad the sidewalked here are. While riding down one of the many curb cut-outs, i missed seeing a 3" wide hole between the bottom of the curb and the sidewalk. I hit this at about 7-8 mph, and BAM i was faceplanted in the middle of an intersection. Thank goodness it was 1:45am and nobody was around.

I quickly got up and moved myself and the segway out of the intersection, only to find that my left tire was now flat. I spent $.50 at a gas station to re-fill my tire in hopes that it was just a temporary loss of air, but it wasnt. The left tire has some sort of puncture or tear which is not visible to the naked eye right along the edge of the tire and the rim.

Is this patchable by slime or other patching methods? or should i purchase two more tires from segway? If i am to purchase new tires, should i get just one to replace the flat one, or get two brand new tires? My segway was delivered in Sept, 2002 and is quite possibly one of the oldest segways on the road.

Also-- My use is mainly sidewalk, with a bit of off-road use, should i go for the regular tire, or enhanced traction tires if i do replace both tires? Is there a significant range decreas with the enhanced traction tires?

Thanks

Tom

[defenbaugh]

Tom=Can't help you with the slime question. But, the enhanced traction tires will leave marks while the regular ones are not supposed to. Bottom line, if you use the HT inside stick with the regular tires. As to length of service, I don't think there will be that much difference. Just a novices' answer. There are probably experts out there.

Oh,yes, I don't think LLC will sell one tire. But you might post a request on SC, there are others that have had a one tire problem.

Ron
"Literacy requires reading, change requires effort and enlightenment requires courage."

[defenbaugh]

X-man-My ETT's leave a mark on my driveway when I turn, so, I haven't used them inside for that reason. When better weather arrives, I switch to regular tires so I can glide inside. I guess, I assumed the ETT's would leave marks inside.

Ron
"Literacy requires reading, change requires effort and enlightenment requires courage."

Edited for grammar.

[gotseg]

Is that just because the tires themselves are made from a softer rubber? Now im curious how many miles you would get before the extra traction is lost.

http://www.giguphosting.com/gotseg/gotseg.gif

[Zorba9]

Tom - your bit of "off-road" use will be made much more fun/safer with the ETT's. You would be surprised at the difference in traction between the two tires. There is a slight (almost negligible) difference in the range you get between the two also. For alot of folks price is a consideration ($188 vs $79). I have "slimed" one tire successfully and another in which the puncture is too big, not so successfully (both ETT's). That tire is going to get a "plug" from a Wal-Mart plugging kit. The holes in both are in the "sidewalls" like yours. If $ is a real problem and your puncture is a 1" tear, then a local motorcycle shop could take the tire off the rim for you and "patch" the inside.

Glad you weren't hurt in your face plant - sounds like it was a pretty good one!

KOG

Zorba9.....

[Zorba9]

Gotseg- The "regular" tires were designed with a new rubber compound from Michelin so they wouldn't leave skid marks in office hallways. The ETT's are standard tire-rubber and the "harder" of the two - probably take 10 years of gliding to wear them down to where they would loose traction by being "bald".

KOG

Zorba9.....

[Ground Loop]

Also, the ETTs tend to collect more mud & muck, so if you regularly ride straight onto the carpet and into your office, Mary, the cleaning person, would very much appreciate it if you would do a few spins outside the door on the floor mat to clear the tread. The thin and shallow tread on the regular tires make this easier to do.

For plugging tire holes, I'd stick to patching from the inside or the Stop&Go Tire Plugger with the mushroom plugs. Normally you are suppose to replace (not repair) sidewall damage, but our tires are under such low pressure and low speeds that I would try it anyway. Worst case, it goes flat again..

[Tom Schindler]

Update--

I took the tire off, and inspected-- what i found is an inch long tear BELOW where the tire meets the rim... the only way i could see this was by pushing down on the flattened tire to expose this area...

I'm not sure if this kind of rip is even patchable, has anyone else run into this kind of problem?

See the picture...

Thanks..

Tom

http://users.wpi.edu/~tas246/segwaytire.jpg

[Zorba9]

Tom - too close to the bead around the rim to be patched from the inside. As your Seg is an early one I'ld say you got you moneys worth! That was a pretty good clip into that pothole (during your faceplant) to cut a hole like that. You must be very agile not to come out injured!-:)

KOG

Zorba9.....

[Stewbonz]

I wonder if an inner-tube is an appropriate fix for this type damage?

JEFF JARVIS
http://www.thailandsegwaytours.com/

[segeois]

Hey Tom,
You can get a pair of small motor bike tires and tubes to put on the rims for cheap, it'll suck but it's possible and watch the gap at the fender. Try a local shop for something in the 3.75" to 4" range they shouldn't run more than $35 each but you'll need a matched pair. You can also do a single factory tire/wheel without worry.