neverquit

So, I always patch my flats. A lot of the group riders just buy new tubes! Never had a problem with a patched tube. HOWEVER, I do have a problem with after I find the hole, marking the spot so I can patch it!....I've tried pens, felt tipped markers, pencils, you name it, can't find anything that marks the tube so when I take it to the kitchen table to prep the hole I know where it is........What do you guys use? Went to Walmart and a car parts store, nope, they don't have anything.....

Thanks
Lloyd

AnkleWork

Maybe try some coarse sandpaper.

caloso

I put my thumb over it.

cambiker71

Draw a large cross on it with chalk, then rub the bit you need for the patch to roughen it up and add glue, what's left of the cross will point to the hole

1nterceptor

I think some flat repair kits come with a small chalk(Rema?).
I just use a pen that writes/works:

DiabloScott

If it's a really tiny hole, sometimes I'll poke it into a bigger hole so it's easier to patch.

In my garage I have some twisty ties that I can wrap around the puncture area for fast locating - I'll save the tubes up and patch in bulk.

neverquit

Thanks, tried that, and of course the patch was just over the hole......Had to do it again.

neverquit

That seemed to work the best, but in the process of drying off the tube kind of lost sight of where the hole was!

neverquit

Hmmm....I'll have to look at that idea...thanks

neverquit

That's the brand I use, seems to work the best, but never seen any chalk. Thanks

neverquit

That idea looks pretty good!...Thanks, I'll give it a try.

dsbrantjr

Stick a toothpick into the hole?

TrojanHorse

Now you know why people just buy new tubes...

I just use chalk when I'm feeling motivated to remind myself why I don't like patching tubes.

1nterceptor

I think some sharpies/markers come in a sliver color; maybe you can try those.
Was just about to Google it; but decided to check here in my office drawer. I have an opened box of Rema Tip Top
TT 01 Tour repair kit. Most of the stuff inside are gone/used. But on the side of the package; in addition to 5 patches, 1 sandpaper, 1 glue - there should have been 1 chalk.

ThermionicScott 

I use a ballpoint pen which shows up decently under a good light regardless of the passage of time. One thing I'd like to pass along is that instead of circling the puncture, I draw a big and wide "+" through the hole. That helps me center the patch in case I didn't make a big enough circle.

TimothyH

Do you guys really carry chalk, sharpies, pens and toothpicks on rides?

I always know where the hole is without carrying any of those things. I put the tube in the garbage can and the hole is right there with it.


-Tim-

andrewclaus

The silver Sharpie works well when I patch at home. I seldom need to patch on the road, but when I do it's usually a large enough hole that it's easy to find. If it's not visible but you can feel it, keep some air in the tube, spread the glue over the area, and the hole will show up nicely as a whitish bubble.

carlton

They make tire chalk. It writes well even on wet tires or tubes. Your local auto parts should stock it. Use the big cross as others have mentioned so its easy to center the patch over the hole.

IrishBrewer

I carry a patch kit to use in a pinch but I also carry a spare tube and use that first. I almost never need a second tube so I patch the tube when I get home and it goes back in the kit. At home, the conditions are better and I can take my time doing a good job. I don't mind patching them and to me, it's actually kind of enjoyable.

caloso

Agreed. First flat gets CO2 and a new tube. Second and subsequent (rare, but it's happened) flats get patches and the pump. Unless it's a massive gash or a damaged valve stem, the tube always gets patched eventually.

neverquit

Ah!....GOOD idea! Thanks... Need to try that.

gearbasher

I keep the tube inflated. Rough up the spot. Inflate the tube some more. Put the glue on while the air is still "pi$$ing out". The glue bubbles where the hole is and you can still see the spot when the glue dries. And that's how I locate it hole.

cambiker71

I carry a spare tube and a tiny repair kit, all the puncture repair kits here in the uk (all the ones i've bought anyway!) include a small cube of chalk, a few different sized patches and a small tube of glue, i add a postage stamp size bit of sandpaper and it's good to go if i'm unlucky enough to have used the spare tube and get another puncture.
The kits cost about £1 so if you've used the glue once throwing it away for another kit is simple enough.

2_i 

I use a marker and draw a large cross with arms extending far away. Then after I operate on the center the arms are still there and I can trace back where the puncture was.

DiabloScott

I carry two tubes and three CO2 carts. I'm not going to patch on the road.
(or one spare tire for the tubular wheelset)

I've had three flats on the same ride TWICE in 35 years of riding... I can live with those odds.