David_Strang

What should I do when an inner tube patch fails? I've tried putting on more glue to get the edges down (sometimes works) and pulling the patch off to start over (which usually creates a large rip in the tube).

advice appreciated, its a hassle while touring to lose an inner tube in this way.

Cyclist0383

I clean the glue off and start again. I've only recently had this problem and only with cheap, thick, Chinese patches. I've never had a problem with Rema or other quality brands.

Stick o couple of alcohol prep pads in your tool kit for cleaning the glue.

BikingGrad80

Either remove it all and try again or new tube. If you opt to try again be sure to get off all the old patch material and glue.

operator

This generalization.... again?

Cyclist0383

No generalizations here. The only patches I've had problems with have been cheap, thick, and made in China.

For those interested the brand names are Red Sun and Tafong.

San Rensho 

For some reason, I never have luck with a patched tube, whether its a clincher or sew up. I know many people have great luck with them, but I haven't.

I just always get a new tube. I ride a lot and rarely have more than 2 or 3 flats per year, so I splurge for new.

Bill Kapaun

Clean the tube glue area with a piece of sand paper. The little metal buffers are next to useless.
Let the glue DRY before applying the patch.

DannoXYZ 

Also don't use too much glue. I've seen people sit there and rub glue on using the tip of the glue tube. It's not even and it gets all clumpy at spots. Instead, I squeeze out a drop of glue the size of a kernel of corn onto the centre of the patch. Then use the patch to smear the glue onto the tube, making sure to use round motion to get glue to the edge of the patch and beyond. Lift off and you've got a perfectly even and thin layer of glue. Let sit for 30-45 seconds and stick the patch on. Squeeze for about 30-seconds as it vulcanizes and that's it!

tellyho

New tube.

TRUMPHENT

Everyone that rides a bicycle should be able to patch a tube with a common centerline puncture from glass, thorns or wire. I practiced at the side of the rode until I realized that practicing in the living room was much easier and productive.

Carry a tested, new or patched tube or tubes with you when you ride. Patch punctured tubes in the comfort of home.

I bought a 100 Rema patches for15 USD and gave quite a few away as Christmas presents last year.

Test new and patched tubes by inflating them in the comfort and warmth of living room to a little over 1.5 atmospheres of pressure. Your eyeball is the pressure gauge. Let tire rest by hanging on convenient doorknob for a few days. If it is still springy and looks like an inflated innertube, it is. Hey, fire departments test their hoses to ridiculous pressures on a schedule whether they get used or not.

There will be tubes you don't want to begin to patch, those with multiple punctures from a single object. The tubes with very offcenter punctures near the sidewall/rim area. Long gashes etc. That's my experience.

I_bRAD

I use a "new" tube on the road, and then patch the punctured one at home in a nice cozy environment where I can take my time and do it well, and then leave it for a while for it to cure properly (and then once it's done it's a "new" tube for another ride)

dwainedibbly

I do the same thing.

If your patches aren't working, you're probably not scuffing the tube well enough.

2manybikes

Just have someone show you how to do it right the first time, and practice at home. A properly patched tube will not fail. It will be stronger than the rest of the tube. It's not difficult once you learn. Do carry an extra tube for unpatchable failures.

kenhill3

I have not always had the best of luck with patches holding, mostly on road tubes using 110-120psi, to the point of not bothering to patch my high pressure road tubes and always using new ones. Am I being silly about this? Do you all have good luck with patches on tubes with high pressure?

2manybikes

I have never had one fail. Most problems with high pressure tires not holding are using glueless patches,
just not cleaning the surface properly, or not waiting long enough for the glue to harden. Lots of people try to rush too much.

Road Fan

I like this method!

masiman

LOL. Very funny that the data fits the generalization despite our efforts to be PC.

Cyclist0383

Jaa. I tried again last night to patch a few tubes with those crappy patches. None would adhere properly. Sadly they are all I can find locally. Luckily my wife is going to Germany soon and has asked me what I want from the LBS.

masiman

The avatar is cool too