Bicycle Tire Boots:  When your tire is slashed clean through, the inner tube will poke out and burst [1].  When you get a flat from a cut like this you’ll need a “boot” to keep the tube contained when it’s inflated [2].

You can buy pre-manufactured boots [I've seen pre-manufactured boots fail easily] or you can  make your own from an old discarded sew-up [tubular].  Making your own boots is pure FredZen and will take you closer to the creator [FredDíos*].

Silk track sew-ups are great for boots because the rubber layer is thin and the casing is strong.  Road tubulars work perfectly well too.  The thick rubber layer on a road sew-up can be easily peeled off [3]; the casing is strong and works very well on its own.  When you’re back on the road the tire will roll without much of a thump from the added thickness of the peeled rubber.  Cut a few sections [4] and keep them in your ride pouch.  Place the boot on the inside of the tire between the tube and the tire wall, covering the cut, to keep the tube contained when it’s inflated [2]. For minor cuts, the boot will keep the tube well contained and you’ll be able to finish the ride.  If the cut is severe don’t inflate the tube too much [keep it adequate but not so much the boot pops through and fails]; the boot can still get you home – you won’t have to call Mickey’s mom.

For a minor slash, if you don’t have a boot, you can use a folded dollar bill as a substitute.  Dollar bills work well in a pinch.  Jacksons works better and Benjamins, honey, work the best [seriously].

B’Animaux.

*Sunday is the FredDios Sabbath [day of rest].