Bicycle Mechanics - what are the little rubber tubes in some patch kits for?

pyramid puts them in their kits, and i haven't got a straight answer.

I always thought they were for blowing through onto the rubber solution when on the inner tube to dry it off more quickly before putting on the patch

I always thought they were for smoothing the rubber cement, although I've never tried it...

They were for the Dunlop type valves that I had on my first bikes in the 1940s. I think there are still plenty of bikes in the 3rd world with those valves.

What exactly do the leetle rubber tubes do to/with the dunlop valves?

i heard the blowing thing too, but it seemed kind of hokey

What exactly do the leetle rubber tubes do to/with the dunlop valves?

AndrewP is probably right - the early Dunlop valves were just a rubber tube inside the metal valve bit- same principle as a heart valve they let air in but collapsed to prevent air from coming out

AndrewP is probably right - the early Dunlop valves were just a rubber tube inside the metal valve bit- same principle as a heart valve they let air in but collapsed to prevent air from coming out
My curiosity led me to google "Dunlop valve", and this page came up:

It details the history, construction, etc. of a dunlop valve and it shows the rubber tube thingy.

http://www.flying-scot.co.uk/components/woods.html

AndyP was right.

great, now i can out bike dork the bike dorks

Learn something new every day. I figured it was for spreading the rubber cement around too.

Steve W.

I thought it made sniffing the glue easier. :eek:

I used it to smear the glue around when I patched a tube last night.

great, now i can out bike dork the bike dorks
Not likely. There's always someone with a more arcane factoid

They were for the Dunlop type valves that I had on my first bikes in the 1940s. I think there are still plenty of bikes in the 3rd world with those valves.

In the third world? I don't think Japan is a third world country and I would say as a guess 95% of bikes here use them. Probably more.
Steve.

In the third world? I don't think Japan is a third world country and I would say as a guess 95% of bikes here use them. Probably more.
Steve.
Relax. I'm well aware that Japanese bikes use them. He wasn't dissing Japan in the slightest. Dunlop / Woods valves aren't as common in North America or most of Europe as they are in Asia.

Relax. I'm well aware that Japanese bikes use them. He wasn't dissing Japan in the slightest. Dunlop / Woods valves aren't as common in North America or most of Europe as they are in Asia.

I've relaxed. ;)
Steve.

haha +1

I thought it made sniffing the glue easier. :eek:

:eek: :eek: :eek:

My Joe Blow Pro floor pump, BTW, has and adapter for Dunlop valves. Never seen one, or even knew what they were, but now I know ("and knowing is half the battle" - GI Joe :D).