Can you repair inner tubes on Road Bikes?
Discussion
Yep. The patches are back ups in case I get a double. Will generally swap the tube on my first puncture.
Decent tubes and tyres are the best prevention though. I was getting 4-5 punctures a week. Swapped to Rubino Pros and conti tubes and haven't had a single puncture in about 1000 miles.
Decent tubes and tyres are the best prevention though. I was getting 4-5 punctures a week. Swapped to Rubino Pros and conti tubes and haven't had a single puncture in about 1000 miles.
I tried it four times in my first six months back on a road bike. Each time it looked good but as soon as I put more than about 70-80 psi into it the thing would blow. I even tried different types of patches.
I now carry a new tube and a set of patches in the event I get more than one puncture and will only inflate the patched one enough to get me home.
For the price of a new tube it's just not worth the risk of running any real distance on a fully inflated patched one.
I now carry a new tube and a set of patches in the event I get more than one puncture and will only inflate the patched one enough to get me home.
For the price of a new tube it's just not worth the risk of running any real distance on a fully inflated patched one.
jjr1 said:
Excellent news as I really don't want to carry 2 inner tubes just in case. 1 is fine and a couple of patches in case I am really unlucky.
Most people I know carry one tube and one pack of pre-glued patches.Be aware that glueless patches are a "get you home" measure, rather than a permanent one like rubber patches and vulcanizing solution.
As for using repaired tubes, I generally don't. For me, not worrying about having a ride spoiled by a failed repair is worth more than a <£5 inntertube.
my tubes are covered in park tools super patches, they last for ages if you take time applying them but i concede that throwing them on at the roadside isnt as good but will get you home. Wrap the spare tube in clingfilm before putting it in the saddle bag to prevent it chaffing on anything else in there.
Park tools lue kits / those french blue kits are the best IMO. Takes a little while to do (vulcanising glue type), but the repair lasts.
The "get you home" preglued patches are OK, except you'll end up repairing them again when you get home - pretty much every glued patch I've done in the last 3 months has failed at a later date. The glue seems to "unsticky" after a time.
The "get you home" preglued patches are OK, except you'll end up repairing them again when you get home - pretty much every glued patch I've done in the last 3 months has failed at a later date. The glue seems to "unsticky" after a time.
Disco You said:
Be aware that glueless patches are a "get you home" measure, rather than a permanent one like rubber patches and vulcanizing solution.
I've got two tubes with self adhesive patches on running over 100psi that have been fine for about 1500 miles between them. They don't require topping up any more than the other tyres that haven't been repaired either. I've used Parktools' Super patches successfully for years, but I recently used a different type, some green back vinyl stuff; they didn't stretch with the tube and detached themselves at high pressures - absolute arse. Proper vulcanising kit is better than new (except for the lump/weight)
I've always repaired tubes and generally don't have any issues. However the last few times I've patched they've leaked slightly and ended up in the bin. Do the glue or patches expire? Decent quality Rema Tip Top patches and glue, but probably a couple of years old now as I don't get many punctures.
Once the seal on the vulcanising solution (glue) is broken, it will deteriorate, yes. It appears to do it's job, but the patches no longer stick down very well. If you don't use the rest of the tube up within a few months, don't expect it to be terribly reliable when you come to need it. I buy replacement tubes of solution when I have patches left over, as I almost always patch a tube, either at the roadside or when I get home, but then I'm a tight b'stard, as well as not wanting the old tubes to go to waste.
I used to use a heavy duty repair kit aimed at motorcycle tubes (military type) which had larger, thicker patches than a bicycle kit, and that really worked. I recently bought some Park Tools pre-glued patches as well, to tuck into my 'old-skool' kit as a further option, and I noticed the other day that my spare tube is an already-repaired item.
The key to a good repair is thorough preparation of the tube prior to applying the glue, and making sure the cause of the flat is removed from the tyre before you refit it, allied to a liberal application of talcum powder or chalk dust to prevent the 'glue' sticking the tube to the inside of the tyre. The only time I've had a repair fail was when the glue was past it's best when I used it, and I run my tyres at between 90 and 120 psi depending on the brand fitted and the season/weather, so no, longevity of the tube is not, in my experience, compromised by a properly executed puncture repair.
My biggest bugbear? I can never find a replacement small tube of solution. The bigger, glossier, more modern bike shops often sneer at the very idea of glue, and will always push you toward 'glueless' patches, and even when you do find a source of glue sold separately in tubes, those tubes will be 2 to 3 times the size of the one that came as part of your kit, meaning it's a struggle to stow it in your kit properly.
I used to use a heavy duty repair kit aimed at motorcycle tubes (military type) which had larger, thicker patches than a bicycle kit, and that really worked. I recently bought some Park Tools pre-glued patches as well, to tuck into my 'old-skool' kit as a further option, and I noticed the other day that my spare tube is an already-repaired item.
The key to a good repair is thorough preparation of the tube prior to applying the glue, and making sure the cause of the flat is removed from the tyre before you refit it, allied to a liberal application of talcum powder or chalk dust to prevent the 'glue' sticking the tube to the inside of the tyre. The only time I've had a repair fail was when the glue was past it's best when I used it, and I run my tyres at between 90 and 120 psi depending on the brand fitted and the season/weather, so no, longevity of the tube is not, in my experience, compromised by a properly executed puncture repair.
My biggest bugbear? I can never find a replacement small tube of solution. The bigger, glossier, more modern bike shops often sneer at the very idea of glue, and will always push you toward 'glueless' patches, and even when you do find a source of glue sold separately in tubes, those tubes will be 2 to 3 times the size of the one that came as part of your kit, meaning it's a struggle to stow it in your kit properly.
Sir Yellow of Jack - have thou not heard of the fabled Wiggle? The Wiggle is a dangerous beast, who has been known to ensnare any onlooker with promises of Haribo and gratis delivery. If yee are of stout mind, you may be able to obtain a Rema vulcanising solution for 2.86 (although the VP1 is a mere 2.39). However, ye be warned - many a bold knight has fallen to this harpie, and spent a night apart from their wench following the arrival of shiny bits...
Some Gump said:
Sir Yellow of Jack - have thou not heard of the fabled Wiggle? The Wiggle is a dangerous beast, who has been known to ensnare any onlooker with promises of Haribo and gratis delivery. If yee are of stout mind, you may be able to obtain a Rema vulcanising solution for 2.86 (although the VP1 is a mere 2.39). However, ye be warned - many a bold knight has fallen to this harpie, and spent a night apart from their wench following the arrival of shiny bits...
Ahhh, Wiggle!I was once a slave to that b
h, but I've had to rein in my spending on cycling kit since I no longer have paid employment. Consequently I've forgotten how to access my account on the Wiggle site. Anyway, for small bits like puncture repair kit, I find it more convenient to do a 'round-robin' of my LBS(s), as much for a browse/drool and a chat as to buy bits.Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff