patched tube reliability
#26
Senior Member
Maybe this is a good place to ask a question. I patched a tube on the rim side, which failed. I think there was a problem with the rim tape, and it was rubbed by a spoke, and developed a little bubble that leaked. I put another patch on it, partially covering the first one. When I inflate the tube, it's sort of deformed. Since the area around the double patch isn't as stretchy, that part is sort of constricted, and narrower than the rest. Should I use the tube? Right now it's just hanging around as a spare, but I'm wondering if I should just chuck it.
#27
Senior Member
It was more of a "I didn't want to walk home" patch, and not a "cheapskate" one. I had a spare tire at the office, but not a tube. I normally carry one, but I'd given it to someone. So I patched. And I'm lazy, so it's not coming out until I get another flat, or wear the tire out. Then it'll get fixed, and put in the spares rotation.
#28
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As long as you're repairing the tubes with a vulcanizing patch kit, the patch will last as long as the tube.
Think of it this way - - Vulcanization is the same bonding process that is used in the manufacture of the tubes (it's how they attach the valve).
The glueless patches are a different story. They aren't worthless, but they aren't permanent, by any means. I do carry them for emergency fixes, on the road but I replace them with vulcanized patches, when I get home.
Think of it this way - - Vulcanization is the same bonding process that is used in the manufacture of the tubes (it's how they attach the valve).
The glueless patches are a different story. They aren't worthless, but they aren't permanent, by any means. I do carry them for emergency fixes, on the road but I replace them with vulcanized patches, when I get home.
#29
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At home, I inflate the tire after a day to see if it leaks. I'll even put it in water to see if the patch creates bubbles. However, I still have poor luck even with good patches. It sometimes requires two patches to stop a leak but eventaully it works.
#30
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I think you are misunderstanding what I was saying and/or I wasn't clear. When I say to wait it's to wait for the vulcanizing fluid to dry before applying the patch. You can't wait too long for the glue to dry. The longer you wait the better the bond will be after the patch is applied.
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Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
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Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Last edited by cyccommute; 08-15-13 at 05:39 AM.
#31
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I use twist-ties to mark puncture locations when I get flats and try to only patch when I have a few tubes lined up for repair, since I have rotten luck w/ the fluid drying out in the patch kit tube. The spares I carry on rides are usually old tubes that have already been patched. So it's nice to know why the glueless patches would be a bad choice for me.
#32
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It is a crapshoot. I put a brand new tube on and it lasted 30 miles. My tube with two patches on it is going on 2,000 miles.
#35
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I just recently tried the REMA patch kit after dealing with the cheap box store ones for years (BELL),
It's like a Ferrari vs YUGO! The Bell is like gluing a brick to your tube after using REMA's.
I bought the box of 100 REMA patches because I was so impressed with them.
It's like a Ferrari vs YUGO! The Bell is like gluing a brick to your tube after using REMA's.
I bought the box of 100 REMA patches because I was so impressed with them.
#36
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So if you have 100 REMA patches, do you have a separate source for buying 'vulcanizing fluid'? Can it be bought like in a screw-top can for garage storage? Or a large (4-8oz) squeeze tube? I've only ever seen it in those little metal patch kit tubes, where you have to puncture it open with the backside of the cap, and after long enough (1+years?) it is dried out and useless.
https://www.outsideoutfitters.com/p-1...ing-fluid.aspx
#37
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+1 for spelling out the Rema's vs cement. Not even something I would have thought about, but makes sense with the failure rate I've had between the two.
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