ThermionicScott 

+1. If I'm pulling the tube out of the tire to patch it, why on earth would I choose a method that I might have to redo down the road?

noglider 

So where is the snopes article that shows that the claim (that rubber cement can't work) to be false?

achoo

Dunno about the bumblebees, but it's not surprising lots of different approaches work with bicycles as they really don't push the limits of the materials used in most components, such as bearings, tires, and apropos to this thread, tubes.

noglider 

The pressure in the tire squeeze the patch between the tube and the tire, assuring that it will stay in place. Peeling it off is possible, but it takes effort. It doesn't happen by accident.

gregjones

The critical components of post 30:


Which pick, which strings.....some arguments are just opinions.

But, some will argue in the face of facts. AKA, bayonet charges into the face of machine-*** )(rapidly repeating projectile emitter) fire.

hkhailey

I've been using the Elmer's rubber cement for quite a while, also with no problems. But then, I still ignite the glue. Always have since I was taught that way in 1966.

I got tired of the little tubes of the fancy stuff drying out, especially when you need them the most.

There are other glues, as mentioned above, some great and some not so good. But the Elmer's works just fine and it's both affordable and available just about anywhere.

dwmckee

I was once stuck with dried up glue and a flat and stopped at an old hardware store for a patch kit. All they had was a vinyl patch kit so I bought that. The glue smelled the same, but once dry did not hold the patch at all, just came right off. That day sucked... I guess I should have just sat on the sidewalk and sniffed it!

Looigi

Only tangentially related, but in the past we used a lot of stick-on type patches when I lived in goat head territory and we found that some would develop leaks over time despite being continually squeezed between the tube and tire. Now we just use them for temporarily if needed and replace with a glue-on types at a later convenient time.

Most often, my newly patched tubes don't go in a tire but get folded up to use in exchange with the next punctured tube.

As a counterpoint, there are others in these forums who say they haven't had any issues with stick-ons.

noglider 

I used a stick on once, and it didn't work. I suppose I could learn to use them properly, but I don't want to bother. I already know what works for me.

Now you got me thinking. Do my rubber cement patches last as long as my vulcanizing fluid patches? I think so. I'll see if I can pay attention to that. Not sure how. Maybe I'll use a pen to make a mark next to the patch, denoting the glue I used.

ThermionicScott 

The key, I've found, is to keep a virgin unopened tube of glue with your bike for emergencies, and patch tubes in batches at home.

hkhailey

Yes Sir, That's the way to roll.

RubeRad

So I guess that means nobody has found a viable, cost-effective way to store small amounts of vulcanizing glue? I'd be interested in buying the can of Rema and a 100pk of patches, if I knew of some way to package "single-serving" amounts for my saddle bag.

Travel-size toothpaste tube, rinsed clean?
Dollop in a snack-size ziploc bag, squeeze the air out, seal, fold up, keep safe inside plastic patch-kit box?
Smaller ziploc bags, like for packaging individual screws or tiny parts or selling drugs?
Glass vial for crack, apply by dipping in a qtip or bamboo skewer or stick?
Tiny plastic bottle/jar with bubbles in it, lid has bubble-blowing wand (available cheap in bulk for weddings)?

Shimagnolo

RubeRad

haha, I don't know what else they are ever used for, maybe something medical? But if you live or pass through the "right" neighborhood (I don't), you could probably get plenty of these for free...

noglider 

Maybe a syringe, the kind for administering liquid medicine. Hmm, I might try that!

RubeRad

I thought about that, I wasn't convinced that it would be airtight, unless the tip comes with some kind of snap-on cap. But application using the plunger would be super useful, and clean, and if the tip can be airtight, then it should do a good job keeping the glue from drying out (no air pockets like all the other kinds of containers). Let us know how your experiments work out...

RubeRad

Quick fleabay check, there's this, but no caps. There's also this, maybe keeping the needle on would be good enough, it pops off so you could squeeze glue out the larger nozzle.

noglider 

Maybe I could make a cap by drilling a hole in the middle of a rubber stopper?

RubeRad

Probably, but ooh look at this! I think that may be the ideal solution. Depending on whether the glue can usefully squeeze through the noozle, keep it or discard it. Either way, fill with glue, squeeze to remove as much air as possible, screw on the cap.

noglider 

@RubeRad, buy that lot, and I'll buy two or three from you.

BikeLite

Try straw length for single serving. Cut your length, close one end using needle nose pliers and bic lighter, add glue, close other end. Be careful not to ignite glue ; ).

RubeRad

Also a good idea. Maybe binder clips to pinch straw closed? Binder clips could also be used to affix tube to credit card for sanding and holding the hole in a fixed, known position...

unterhausen

I have not tested the rubber cement that you can get at auto parts stores, but I assume it works just fine. It's a lot cheaper than Rema cement. I bought Rema 100 patches, so it's a consideration. If you fix tubes in batches, there is more glue than needed for the patches in a kit.

JTGraphics

I buy 5g tubes of Rema Cold Vulcanizing Cement for $2.25 for my saddle bag which I seem to never use since I swap tubes on the road, I have a Rema 8 oz. ($11.95) can and 100 bulk patch's ($10) that I use at home can is several years old now and still 3/4 full used on 50+ patches over the years many for the grandkids LOL.
If you buy a can and have a few tubes for your saddle bag you will most likely never use the tubes on the road if you are a tube swap person on the road.
Sometimes you find the kits on sale for $1.99 I'll buy them take the tube and save it add the few patches to my bulk box just for the small tube of Vulcanizing Cement.

Looigi

I've tried it and it works like rubber cement rather than vulcanizing fluid. Patches can be pulled off without tearing the tube, unlike with vulcanizing fluid, in my experience.