Punctures on Kids bikes

[Daffy D]

Seems like every time my two kids use their bikes at least one of them has a puncture. The main cause of the punctures are grass seeds that are shaped like little round balls with spikes, a bit like miniature versions of those iron spiked balls at the end of a chain that the olden day knights used to bash each other over the head with.

They would pick up these spiked grass seeds cycling on the open space in front of the house or in the park and I was getting fed up with fixing a puncture practically every day.

Did some Googling and found out about this stuff made from Aramid (same kind of stuff as that Kevlar) that comes in self adhesive strips that you stick to the inside of the tyre, between the tube and the tyre and it will stop punctures.

A bit pricey, to do my two kids bikes 2x20in and 2x10in wheels needed three packs (could almost have bought a new bike for that) but it does seem to work and have not had a puncture since.

Can be bought on-line but I got mine from the local bicycle shop.

http://v-bikes.tarad.com/product-th-742795-3591347-%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%9B%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%AB%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A1+I.R.C.+Fast+Away.html

Just thought I'd share.

[daveAustin]

Lots of punctures can also point to old/cheap/soft tyres.

[somchaismith]

Twenty baht repair at the MC shop.

[332]

Lots of punctures can also point to old/cheap/soft tyres.

Or unappreciative Thai neighbours.

[Thongkorn]

Are you certain its the grass seeds, maybe the inner tape which is between the inner tube and the spoke ends, may need renewing.

[excelchain]

ok

[Daffy D]

Are you certain its the grass seeds, maybe the inner tape which is between the inner tube and the spoke ends, may need renewing.

Yes definitely those grass seeds, I pick them out of the tyres. Not the inner tape, checked that.

The bikes are fairly new. True they are cheap bikes, kids grow out of things so quick no point buying anything else.

Yes the local bike shop will fix a puncture for 20bt but now I don't have to bother with loading the bike onto the pickup driving down there and waiting for them to fix the thing anymore.

[Beechboy]

I was a cycle club member as a youngster and before the days of puncture resistant (green) tyres, which are not available for kiddie cycles in any case.

We used to "double tyre" ie. get the oldest tyres, cut the rim off and fit them inside the newer tyre before putting the (slightly inflated) inner tube in place and fitting to the wheel.

This worked a treat and would be ideal for the OP's problem.

Edit: It might be worthwhile immersing the older tyres in hot water (not boiling) for five minutes to increase malleability. It was not totally necessary for the adult bike tyres but kiddie tyres might be tighter (ie. smaller.)

[Daffy D]

Played with the "double tyre" idea.

Used that trick way back in the day in Africa on bush trekking Land Rovers.

Pretty neigh impossible on 10in kiddie wheels I would think

But I'm getting to the age where the easiest least physical solutions make the top of the list.