Fifty Plus (50+) - Do 50+'rs Patch Your Tubes?

Do 50+'rs Patch Your Tubes?

How many of you repair your own tubes?

I am sitting here patching 3 tubes zapped by goatheads, and I was just wondering if anyone else does?

If it rains on a day that I normally ride (perhaps 1 day out of the year here in LA) I would instead spend a couple of hours patching all the punctured tubes I've accumulated during the year. :D

Of course. The average hole in a tire represents what percent of the surface area of the tire? I'd feel so stupid if I didn't patch.

I patch the tires on site. Its a break from my riding.

Sure do.....untill there are too many patches and the tube gets replaced.

By my standards, 3 or 4 patches are the limit after which I decide that the tube has been abused enough by going flat and needs to be replaced. 2nd, patches should never overlap.


But then I haven't had a flat outside of my shop in about 3 years.

1. If it's a leak at the valve, I don't patch it.
2. If it's a blow-out (huge hole!) I don't patch it.
3. If it's slow-leak and I can't find the hole, I don't patch it.
4. If it's been patched 4 times (or more) already, I don't patch it.

Otherwise, yes, I patch tubes. I prefer Rema patchs but I find that any old rubber cement works just fine.

Rick / OCRR

Even I have patched two tubes this year. But I haven't reused either of them yet.

Only if I get 2 flats on one ride...the first flat gets fixed with a new tube that I carry in my seat bag.

On the extremely rare times when I get a second flat during the ride, I use a Park Glueless patch. This happens about once every 2 or 3 years.

I don't even carry a spare tube with me. I've never ripped the valve stem out, and I've never had a blowout so bad that I couldn't fix it with a standard patch or two.

I voted "something else" -- which means I don't patch 'em if I can get someone else to do it for me. :D

Otherwise, no.

I don't even carry a spare tube with me. I've never ripped the valve stem out, and I've never had a blowout so bad that I couldn't fix it with a standard patch or two.

I'm curious. How would one use two patches to fix one leak (or "blowout")?

Tubes all fixed, temp outside 63F, 1:00 meeting canceled. Guess where I am going? Bye now!

Always carry a patch kit alongside the spare tube and I always patch as I go. The spare tube is emergencies only. The only time I had to use that and I found that it had 6 patches on it so got home and bought 6 tubes to replace the Patched ones in the wheels. Used four of them so far as I reckon that 6 patches is enough on one tube. Counted 8 one one tube so about time they got replaced.

For some weird reason patching a tube is very therapeutic for me. Perhaps that is because it involves glue sniffing.:eek:

But seriously, I never throw away a tube unless it's beyond repair. It just makes sense.

I argue with my inner tubes until they fall into line. Those who fail persuasion are shot.

For some weird reason patching a tube is very therapeutic for me. Perhaps that is because it involves glue sniffing.:eek:

But seriously, I never throw away a tube unless it's beyond repair. It just makes sense.

They only get one chance with me:rolleyes:

Glue and I have had some serious bonding issues in the past and I leave it alone.

I know this is so wasteful and I have good intentions but I never patch. I always use a new tube. I have lots of "need to be patched" tubes just waiting on me in the garage. They just sit there and mock me! :(

I do patch tubes but I don't get the chance very often. I seem to get 2 to 3 years or about 6,000 miles between flats.

Notwithstanding the thrill I get from patching these things that takes me back to my full-time commuting days of yore, these days I'll keep a tube in service for no more than two years, patches and all. After that they find duty about the house and shop. "Back then", I'd have as many as six patches.

I know this is so wasteful and I have good intentions but I never patch. I always use a new tube. I have lots of "need to be patched" tubes just waiting on me in the garage. They just sit there and mock me! :(

Well, looking on the bright side . . . at least you feel remorse :)!

Rick / OCRR

Tubes all fixed, temp outside 63F, 1:00 meeting canceled. Guess where I am going? Bye now!

Well, nice ride - went for almost 2 hours WITHOUT GETTING A GOATHEAD. First time with no goatheads in about 4 rides. YEA! No patching tonight.

Well, looking on the bright side . . . at least you feel remorse :)!

Rick / OCRR

But first, wouldn't one have to feel morse?

OK got out the dictionary again and there is a morse or mordere to bite.

I do feel bad about not patching. I know this gentleman, Rick you probably know him, Norm Moyer, who prides himself on his frugalness. His bike is literally a piece of sh**, the tires bald and the tubes have since been tubes and now are connecting patches. He got so excited when I offered up my old tubes but sadly his bike is schrader. I'm starting a collect others old tubes so Norm can use them fund. Please let me know if you are interested!

BTW - Norm regularly rides 50,000+ miles a year!

I tend to buy tubes in those 10 for $15 deals. All of my rides are with groups so I always just replace the tube when I flat ... even carry 2 tubes and patches for really bad rides or to help those unprepared. When I accumulate a bunch of tubes with holes I will have a patch-a-thon.

I don't even carry a spare tube with me. I've never ripped the valve stem out, and I've never had a blowout so bad that I couldn't fix it with a standard patch or two.

I'm curious. How would one use two patches to fix one leak (or "blowout")?

Snake bite flat (http://sheldonbrown.com/brandt/snakebites.html). Two holes.

[QUOTE=DnvrFox;5737660]

Snake bite flat. Two holes.

OK, but I thought he was writing ablut a blowout. I've had a blowout - great big rip in the tube.

Performance (Supergo) had this great big sale on tubes. I bought like 20. The first one I used - POW - it blew up in my face (my ears rang all day and this was just before a century). The next tube - split wide open. And then another. So I gave the tubes away. Everyone complained the got flats and the tubes split open and could not be patched. Obviously a bad batch from China!

No more Performance tunes for me. I spend money for mine (generally I like the Specialized pre talc'd tubes). Never have a problem. No flats, easy to use.

Sometimes you do get what you pay for.

I always patch, my own and Red Riders. Tried to teach her how to patch once. She didn't pay any attention. I always carry spare tubes so I don't have to rely on a patch on the road although I once had to patch because I put a tube with to short of a valve in the bag. I used the green instant patches and it got me through the next 30 miles fine. I pulled it off when we got home and replaced it with a proper one.

I patch until I can't. I love a tube with 6 or 9 patches. It just makes me feelgood all over.

I can either patch a tube a couple of times or else throw out money. Let me think..., OK, I'll repair the tube.

If you live where there are goatheads Slime is your friend!
I never patch tubes. Throw 'em away and put in another cheap Wal Mart tube.

When I was a kid I had watched my older brothers patch bike and motorcycle tubes so I tried it myself with a couple of screwdrivers for tire tools just like my big brother. When it woldn't hold air after reassembly my brother had to put 9 patches on to cover up all of my screwdriver holes. Now I carry a spare tube and patch the old one when I get home.

Another of the carry-a-spare and patch at home unless another bites the dust persuasion.

I know this is so wasteful and I have good intentions but I never patch. I always use a new tube. I have lots of "need to be patched" tubes just waiting on me in the garage. They just sit there and mock me! :(


and that patch just adds too much weight to the bike. If you keep patching the tube soon your bike will weigh 40 pounds!

I know this is so wasteful and I have good intentions but I never patch. I always use a new tube. I have lots of "need to be patched" tubes just waiting on me in the garage. They just sit there and mock me! :(
Staple gun. Always carry a staple gun. They're scared to death of them. If you ever go out in the garage in the dark and you're not carrying your staple gun....., well, I'd hate to read about it in the papers the next day.

Uh... thank you for your help, I think!?!?:rolleyes:

Perhaps another follow-up question: Who has gone to patch a tube out on the road and found last years tube of glue all dried up?. Or, who's looked down and said "Oh, damn" when you saw it was the rear wheel?

Never do. Patches work maybe 90% of the time. But it takes time and effort to do the patch. They cost maybe $3 on sale. It's not worth the effort.

I usually replace the tube with a spare, and call it a day. In a day or two I'll patch the bad tube and it will go in when I have the next flat. I do one thing that I think cuts down on the number of flats. After a ride I look over the tires and remove the little rocks and other crap from the tires. I run belted tires and have pulled more than a few thorns out without any problems. More riding could mean a flat without taking them out. A few times, the tire went flat when I pulled out a thorn. But it's easier to fix it at home than on the road. bk

I always patch, my own and Red Riders. Tried to teach her how to patch once. She didn't pay any attention. .

Oh, so my ruse worked! ;)

I was paying attention, but didn't really want to learn how. You patch so much better than I; it seemed a waste of your talent to let me become a patcher. :D

Perhaps another follow-up question: Who has gone to patch a tube out on the road and found last years tube of glue all dried up?.

Park Glueless Patches (http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/TL707I01-Park+Gp-2C+Glueless+Patch+Kit.aspx) take up much less room in the seat bag, and there's never a problem with the glue being "all dried up".

I have to say I'm surprised at the results here. In more than 30 years of cycling as an adult, it never occurred to me to toss a tube because it had a puncture. I'm sure I've patched at least 400 tubes (I live in Big Thorn country, and have had as many as nine flats on a century and four on my 25-mile commute), and in all that time I can remember just two patch failures, both my fault. In one case I didn't sand the area properly, and in the other some Slime leaked out and got on the tube and I couldn't get it cleaned off well enough for the cement to stick.
No kidding, you throw them away with ONE hole?

No. I send all my tubes with holes in them to some old fart in Parker Colorado.

Perhaps another follow-up question: Who has gone to patch a tube out on the road and found last years tube of glue all dried up?. Or, who's looked down and said "Oh, damn" when you saw it was the rear wheel?

Last week I was preparing to patch at home, and went through 3 separate patch kits - and in each one the glue was dried up. I talked with the LBS guy, who said he also has had dried up glue on a NEW patch kit.


No. I send all my tubes with holes in them to some old fart in Parker Colorado.

Yes, my neighbor appreciates them. He said to say "thanks."

Park Glueless Patches (http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/TL707I01-Park+Gp-2C+Glueless+Patch+Kit.aspx) take up much less room in the seat bag, and there's never a problem with the glue being "all dried up".

Glueless patches are OK for a temporary fix, but my experiences go along with what I have read and heard often, they don't hold up over time. I used them for a while, but quit using them when a couple of them dried up and peeled off after a few months. My LBS won't even sell them anymore because they had so many problems with them.

I'm curious. How would one use two patches to fix one leak (or "blowout")?[/COLOR]

Dnvr, the worst blowout I ever got left a jagged hole the size of a dime in my tube. I got most of the hole covered with one patch, but I had to overlap a second patch to cover it all. Big patch went in tire. It looked scary but it got me home. The last time I got a blowout, I was sitting in the parking lot after a 45 mile ride. The bead had separated from the tire ( #$%! Continental.) I loaded the bike into my truck and fixed that one at home.

I patch, but not while riding. Just haven't had great experiences patching while riding. So I replace with a new tube, and patch the old one when I get home. Much better success rate in the patch holding doing this-at least for me. I do carry a patch kit along with a spare tube, though.

Maybe it's my imagination, but I swear I can feel the annoying bump,bump,bump
of patched tubes. As a pennyless kid I always used to patch, now I keep a
variety of spare tubes and no patch kits.

However, living in the rust belt, I DO patch the fenders on my truck!!! :o

Maybe it's my imagination, but I swear I can feel the annoying bump,bump,bump
of patched tubes. As a pennyless kid I always used to patch, now I keep a
variety of spare tubes and no patch kits.

However, living in the rust belt, I DO patch the fenders on my truck!!! :o

Same here on the bump bump bump.I try my best not to have to fix a tire on the road.Kevlar tires heavy duty tubes with slim,So far it has worked for me but I do carry a patch kit and pump.We don`t have goat heads but broke beer bottles in the bike line.The last flat was on my wifes bike and it was a thorn of some kind on a stick she ran over but elcheapo old tires.
Wink

Performance (Supergo) had this great big sale on tubes. I bought like 20. The first one I used - POW - it blew up in my face (my ears rang all day and this was just before a century). The next tube - split wide open. And then another. So I gave the tubes away. Everyone complained the got flats and the tubes split open and could not be patched. Obviously a bad batch from China!

No more Performance tunes for me. I spend money for mine (generally I like the Specialized pre talc'd tubes). Never have a problem. No flats, easy to use.

Sometimes you do get what you pay for.

+1

I looked at tubes at Performance and wasn't impressed with them - they looked too thin to me. I trotted off to my LBS and bought the tubes I normally use. I had a couple flats earlier this year but a change of rim tape seems to have corrected the problem. No flats since that time.

I'll defend Performance tubes. I've used nothing but thier Ultra Lite tubes for years and my earlier post covers how seldom I flat.