Originally Posted by DMF
I've always patched, but with these 700x21C tires there's not a lot of area to hold a patch so I bought some cheapo tubes. Haven't had to use them, fortunately. A couple questions:
1) These tubes claim to fit widths from 19 to 27. Isn't that a pretty big range?
2) I've always put newly-patched tubes in the tire and reinflated, reasoning that the air pressure would compress the patch and mould it to the proper shape as it cured. Those of you that patch a tube without putting it back in a tire - do you find that your patches last as long?
3) What's a good (and light) on-road patch kit? I have a heavy one for my off-road bike but I'm trying to keep the road bike light as possible.
1. My Schwalbe tubes fit a range of 28/47 - 622/635. I've used 'em on 32 x 662, 37 x 622, 47 x 622 and 28 x 630 tires with no problems at all.
2. I have used the same method as you for patching tubes for the last 50 years and have
NEVER had a patch fail. Although I have had temperatures too cold to patch - the glue was frozen. I learned from that and always carry a spare tube too.
3. Tip Top Brand patches; any brand patch glue.