Why do they make innertube patches so big?
10-29-11, 11:08 AM
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Why do they make innertube patches so big?
I used to often have failures with my patch jobs. Then I figured out putting a big ass patch on a skinny tube was part of the problem. Since I started cutting patches smaller, no failures.
I believe my flats are common ones for cyclists. Small pinpricks from thorns, staples, nails, or glass. I've never had a hole bigger than the tip of a ballpoint pen. Why do the manufacturers give us these huge honking patches? Sure have a couple of big ones, but the smallest patch in a kit is typically the size of a quarter. Even the rema sport kit patches are pretty big.
I believe my flats are common ones for cyclists. Small pinpricks from thorns, staples, nails, or glass. I've never had a hole bigger than the tip of a ballpoint pen. Why do the manufacturers give us these huge honking patches? Sure have a couple of big ones, but the smallest patch in a kit is typically the size of a quarter. Even the rema sport kit patches are pretty big.
Last edited by ricebowl; 10-29-11 at 11:13 AM.
10-29-11, 12:59 PM
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Better big than too small. They usually range from nickel-sized to big ones that are about the width of 2 quarters. The nickel sized one is good for all but the biggest punctures. No use in carrying a patch if it's too small - near useless at that point.
I actually make the pinpoint holes BIGGER before I patch them, just to make sure I don't miss the hole (surprisingly easy to do with those miniscule ones.) I read to do this somewhere and it seems to be ok - haven't had any of them fail yet, and I've done it a bunch of times. I usually enlarge them to the point where I can at least see it without squinting, and then slap on that small nickel-sized patch. Works great.
I actually make the pinpoint holes BIGGER before I patch them, just to make sure I don't miss the hole (surprisingly easy to do with those miniscule ones.) I read to do this somewhere and it seems to be ok - haven't had any of them fail yet, and I've done it a bunch of times. I usually enlarge them to the point where I can at least see it without squinting, and then slap on that small nickel-sized patch. Works great.
10-29-11, 01:56 PM
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Rema 16mm
On bike patch kit, in a small box: piece of 150 grit paper, one small opened tube of glue, on small unopened tube of glue, 5-10 16mm, 2-3 of the next larger size - 20 mm?, 1 bigass patch that comes with the "touring" kit, and a boot. All that comes in handy sometimes - after the spare tube is punc't'd.
On bike patch kit, in a small box: piece of 150 grit paper, one small opened tube of glue, on small unopened tube of glue, 5-10 16mm, 2-3 of the next larger size - 20 mm?, 1 bigass patch that comes with the "touring" kit, and a boot. All that comes in handy sometimes - after the spare tube is punc't'd.
10-29-11, 02:02 PM
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I used to often have failures with my patch jobs. Then I figured out putting a big ass patch on a skinny tube was part of the problem. Since I started cutting patches smaller, no failures.
I believe my flats are common ones for cyclists. Small pinpricks from thorns, staples, nails, or glass. I've never had a hole bigger than the tip of a ballpoint pen. Why do the manufacturers give us these huge honking patches? Sure have a couple of big ones, but the smallest patch in a kit is typically the size of a quarter. Even the rema sport kit patches are pretty big.
I believe my flats are common ones for cyclists. Small pinpricks from thorns, staples, nails, or glass. I've never had a hole bigger than the tip of a ballpoint pen. Why do the manufacturers give us these huge honking patches? Sure have a couple of big ones, but the smallest patch in a kit is typically the size of a quarter. Even the rema sport kit patches are pretty big.
https://www.loosescrews.com/Products/RE-16.html
https://www.outsideoutfitters.com/p-1...FYxU7AodpG1DmQ
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Last edited by 10 Wheels; 10-29-11 at 06:09 PM.
10-29-11, 03:09 PM
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Rema also makes 16mm patches. I bought a box of them (100pieces) on e-Bay from some lady in the UK. The 16mm patches are much more better for the pinprick holes you are likely to encounter as a cyclist.
10-29-11, 05:26 PM
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What size does the OP's kit contain? Every kit I've ever bought comes with a bunch of 16mm round patches, a couple of oval ones, and a big honkin one that would only fit a mountain bike tube that got punctured by a tree branch. So I end up tossing the big ones, but the rest work fine on my road tubes.
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10-29-11, 06:03 PM
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