Booting a bike tire is a temporary roadside repair technique used to fix a cut or tear in the tire casing. This prevents the inner tube from bulging out through the damage, which would cause another puncture immediately.
Why Boot a Tire?
A tire boot is necessary when the tire casing itself is damaged, not just the inner tube. While you can patch the tube, a hole or slit in the tire casing will allow the tube to expand into the gap under pressure, leading to a quick failure. Booting provides an internal patch for the tire casing, giving it temporary structural support.
- Prevent Tube Failure: Stops the inner tube from pushing through a cut in the outer tire.
- Get Home: Provides a temporary fix to safely ride the bike to a place where a permanent repair or tire replacement can be made.
Materials for a Tire Boot
You can use various flexible, yet relatively rigid materials as a tire boot in a pinch. The goal is to cover the damaged area on the inside of the tire.
- Dollar Bill: A common and effective choice. A dollar bill folded into quarters is an ideal size as mentioned in reference materials.
- Tire Lever Packaging: Some plastic tire lever packaging is stiff enough.
- Energy Bar Wrapper (sturdy type): Thick, plastic wrappers can work.
- Old Tube (cut): A piece of an old inner tube is a good option if available.
- Dedicated Tire Boot Patch: Patches specifically designed for this purpose are sold in bike shops and repair kits.
Steps to Boot a Bike Tire
Performing a tire boot involves a few simple steps to temporarily repair the damaged casing.
- Identify the Damage: After getting a flat, inspect both the tube (to find the puncture and locate the cause) and the inside and outside of the tire casing to find the cut or hole.
- Remove and Patch the Tube: Remove the inner tube. Patch the puncture on the tube as you normally would.
- Prepare the Boot: Select your boot material. For materials like a dollar bill or wrapper, fold it to be slightly larger than the cut. It is important to minimize the presence of the boot as much as possible; that is, fold your boot to be thin while providing a rigid reinforcement to the tire casing.
- Insert the Boot: Insert this boot between the damaged tire section and the tube. Position the boot on the inside of the tire casing, centered over the cut or hole. Ensure it lies flat against the inside of the tire.
- Reinstall the Tube: Carefully insert the patched inner tube back into the tire, making sure it doesn't shift the boot out of place.
- Inflate Slowly: Begin inflating the tire slowly. Watch to make sure the boot is holding and the tube isn't bulging out through the cut. Inflate to a ridable pressure, but consider keeping it slightly lower than usual to reduce stress on the temporary boot.
Remember, booting a tire is a temporary solution. The tire casing is compromised and should be replaced as soon as possible.
