Al1943

+1

velomont

Once I realized that I was genetically incapable of patching tubes on the road (about 30 yrs ago) I started carrying two spare tubes. For about 3 years I lived in Montreal and was riding Continental 700 X 20 tires and commuting 22 km each way daily. The roads in Montreal are known for pot-holes and I got lots of pinch flats (about one every two weeks) and became very fast and adept at changing tubes. As many others have suggested above, it seems to depend on personal preference and aptitude. I suggest you carry a patch kit and a spare tube and use the patch kit first, until you find what works best for you.

urbanknight

I've had too many unrepairable tubes to ever consider carrying only a patch kit.

waterrockets 

Both. I find the offending debris, find the hole in the tube, sand, and apply glue. I let that dry while I put the new tube in, inflate, and reinstall the wheel. Then I stick a patch on it, fold up my new spare tube, and off I go.

TRUMPHENT

I vote for two spare tubes, patches with glue and co2 and pump. My first concern is my commute to work.

I rip out the flat tire and tube. Check the inside of tire. Put in a good tube. Inflate with Co2. Run on to work. Rinse and repeat.

I don't have time or inclination to diagnose a flat tube going to work. When I get home, I will look at the damage.

I have discovered that there may be a second puncture, depending on the object or objects that stopped me in the first place.

biker128pedal

I carry both and if on the MTB or Road bike on a long (more than 4 hours) trek I carry two tubes.

Now if only I can figure out how to attach the kitchen sink to wash up after fixing the flat.



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ScrubJ

I do the tube swap. I don't think my group wants to hang around while I search for the hole, patch said hole, then reinstall the questionable tube back into the tire. I'll save any patchwork for when I get home and have several tubes to patch.

Torque1st

I find the hole and patch it. Patching is easy but I have applied thousands of patches. I want to know precisely where the puncturing agent is located. Finding a thorn fragment, sliver of glass, wire, screw, etc can be difficult or even hazardous. It is much simpler and safer to know where to look. Just replacing the tube can lead to another flat quickly. I have never carried a spare tube but then I have never had a seam or stem failure. I replace tubes whenever they show wear or weather cracking. HD tubes are worth the extra weight for reliability. Those paper thin lightweight tubes are great if you have a fully equipped service vehicle following you around.

BTW, my eyesight is not as good as it used to be. There are thin credit card size magnifying lenses available that are easily carried in the wallet.

As far as washing up, a simple wet wipe will usually do the trick.

J T CUNNINGHAM

1 Tufo sealant.

2 Air cylinders.

1 Tufo spare.

"That's all she wrote!"

Regards,
J T

twinquad

I always patch on the road but carry a tube as a good luck charm. Before I started carrying one, I would occasionally get un-patchable punctures, e.g. near the stem. Never happened since I started carrying a tube.

Two reasons I patch. First, I know I'm too lazy to do it when I get home so I will end up wasting a tube. Second, I think it's important to stay in practice.

bent-not-broken

+1 When a tube 'blows' apart, a spare tube is the only answer. For the record I carry one tube, which I use first, and a patch kit if Murphy came along on the ride.

UltraViolet

speed is the key, after all the swearing and arm flailing you just wont to get back on your way, a new tube is best, you can fix the old tube at home

aesmith

I beg to differ. When I was a city commuter, using early narrow high-pressure tyres I used to get loads of punctures. One of my tubes had over 20 patches before it was replaced. I was definitely quicker to patch than to change the tube, as patching can be done with the wheel still fitted, just leaning the bike against something. No need to take the tyre and tube right off.

I'd agree it makes sense to have a spare tube though, depending on how far you'd need to walk.

Tony S

joshandlauri

i carry both, just in case there is tear to big, Patch first and if that fails install a tube, I rcently spent the premium and got thorn resistant tubes (real thick) and I keep a spare regular tube (fits in my bag) and another patch kit. I got flats 2 days in a row that got old quick.

jimblairo

With my MTB I carry a spare tube and a patch kit and also an 8 yard roll of duct tape (stand on it to flatten it out). Twice I have ripped the side wall out of a rear tire and the second time I had the duct tape and it saved a long walk.

I stuffed the tire with grass and my arm and leg warmers and then taped the tire to the rim in 8 places. Made for a slow but sure ride.

mbakron

One more who carries both. You can't patch a large gash, as a piece of glass would cause. Of course you also need a tire patch in that case.
I once had glass gash my tire about 10 miles from home, with no cell phone or phones nearby. Good thing my riding partner carried a spare tube and tire patch!!!

Ranger63

I carry both.
I road cycle mainly (so this probably wouldn't apply to your question)and often carry a back up tire as well on long (100mile+)rides especially in the spring when the roads are pretty nasty up here in the north east.
If the tube I got the falt in is one I've been running for maby 1k I simply change it out and patch the oem one to use as the fail safe backup for the remainder of the ride.

Ranger63

I carry both.
I road cycle mainly (so this probably wouldn't apply to your question)and often carry a back up tire as well on long (100mile+)rides especially in the spring when the roads are pretty nasty up here in the north east.
If the tube I got the flat in is one I've been running for maby 1k I simply change it out and patch the oem one to use as the fail safe backup for the remainder of the ride.

CdCf

I've yet to successfully patch a tube. I've only tried to do it on narrow road tubes, but the patches are always far, far too big, so that they reach almost all the way around the tube. And this is at my desk in my apartment.

Therefore, I only carry spare tubes, usually three, but always at least two. Got my first ever flat two days ago, so it's not likely to be a huge issue.

Calli46

+1 for tube and patch kit. I will patch at home as I like to make it perfect and test the patched work in a water bucket. Easy and foolproof.

Calli46

Cut the patch to size with scissors.

CdCf

Hard to do out on the road... Besides, getting the glue to stick is hell on earth, so I'd rather carry a few dozen spare tubes before I even begin to consider a patch kit.

dwainedibbly

I run two tubes in each tire. That way if one goes flat....