Puncture Repair in North London

I'm pretty new to London, and haven't had a chance to suss out the place properly yet. Anyhow, I rode home this evening to be greeted by the sound of a loud hiss when I got off my bike in the garage. My rear tyre seems to have developed a nice puncture. Does anyone know of a good, reputable establishment where I could get it repaired as near to Mill Hill as possible? Also, does the use of emergency tyre foam hinder the chances of a puncture repair as opposed to a brand new tyre? My SV is my only form of transport, and I have no other way to get to wherever it is to be fixed!

A lot of people in the Massive use Essential Rubber just north of Old Street:

27 Downham Road, Islington
London, N1 5AA

Phone: 020 7241 0055

They really know their stuff and are pretty much the cheapest place in London to get tyres sorted or bought. If you're in Mill Hill though I reckon they may be a bit far away if you've already got a puncture (although I've ridden from home in Twickenham to them before to get a tyre repaired pumping the tyre up at every petrol station along the way). If the tyre is repairable then they will definatley do it, they are not the kind of place that will rip you off.

If you can avoid using emergency tyre foam as it's pretty messy stuff, and depending on the size of the puncture may not do anything and may just ooze out. Give Essential a ring in the morning and see what they say, they may repair the tyre after you've put the stuff in though. An alternative is to get your bike recovered there if you have breakdown assistance.

Good luck!

Cheers,

Paul

[TSM]

a while back had a puncture, so i put a screw with uhu all over into the hole on the tyre, pumped it up and rode it to essential rubber, all was find, just took it easy on the way there, not saying its the right thing to do, but it worked for me

[Spiderman]

another vote for Essential rubber from me and easy to get to from mill hill, pretty much A1 all the way there.

However, an alternative is The Cavalry. He will come out to you but only for a new tyre really not a repair job i wouldnt think.

if you need the number post up here or pm me and i'll dig it out for you.

Alternatively if you do use the search function on the forum you'll find it cos i know i posted it up a few times before.

BTW pointless bit of trivia...i used to live in Mill Hill so if you need any local knowledge ask away

+4 for Essential rubber they are by the far the best people I have been too, very reasonable, good people.

[jambo]

If you can possibly plug it using a "bung" or "sticky string" repair kit rather than a foam you're more likely to get it repaired, and you don't cover whoever has the wheel off in goo

The permanent repair that places like essential rubber do involves gluing a bung in from the inside of the tyre. If the inside is coated in foam it's less likely they'll be able to do this properly, but phone and ask by all means.

Jambo

Thanks for all your help! I had to use the foam in the end, my nail covered in glue just wasn't holding it! Even had half the can of foam leak out before it finally held any sort of pressure. Anyhow, had to get the tyre replaced because of that - went to Essential Rubber and £100 and 5 minutes later I now have a conti road attack at the back and conti motion at the front. Haven't a clue if this makes any difference to the performance of the machine, but there ya go. I ride like a grandma anyways.

[JediGoat]

Well, to be a Grandma, you need to live long enough, so don't be worried about being a riding God

Glad you got your tyre fixed. ER can sometimes come out to and pick you up if you get stranded and need repairs (plus they are really nice folks, and the one place I use to do all work on my bike). I also keep these numbers in my phone at all times:

The Cavalry (Jim) - 07974 260311 Roadside puncture repair, on a bike, so can get to you faster than normal recovery, and some other basic repairs. Jim also can get a van out to you. He's a top bloke but only works weekdays and 8am-ish to 5pm-ish (and he can be very busy in rush-hour)

Brian (recovery/repair) - 07956 232524 A friend of Jim's who has a van to recover anything from bikes to lorries, including some repairs (pretty much 24-hour) - the two of them often refer work to each other if they think it will be better for you.

I've had to call both of them in the past, and rate them both highly.

Get those numbers in your phone

Jo

[Stu]

For next time - I know you're sorted now.
I was out with someone who got a puncture & he used a plastic threaded screw with a snap off head (to replace a nail in his tyre) - Much easier to use than sticky string - It was a proper thing designed for this job - not sure of it's name, but worth looking out for, and would be handy to have.

[Spiderman]

I recall this product being discussed on here a while back but no one had used it yet.

Was your friend happy with its performance?

Did he feel it was value for money?

Anyone remember the name of this thing?