rmwun54

About 3 and sometime 4.

Totoro

Geez, you must get a lot of flats by the sound of it. Maybe it's time to switch to thorn resistant tubes!

Coquelicot

Exactly. I think a patched tube is even more durable, the area with the patch becomes the strongest part of the tube.

superunleaded

+1

If after 3 days and air leaks out from the patched area, I'd say "that's a lousy patch job".
If I'm using the ultralights that are not that cheap, I'd patch and keep it until I feel rich that I have to throw a "good patched" tube away

phillybill

one only.......then it is iffy

ZachS

What makes it iffy?

Old Hammer Boy

Exactly. I wait until I have 6-8 (or more) punctured tubes and on a cold or rainy day spend 30 minutes or so and have a patch fest. Look at it this way; If you consider that the tubes cost about $3-4 each, that's about $25. Since I pay state and local income tax, workman's comp, social security, medicare, etc., I have to earn about $50 to keep $25. I'd rather spend the money on a new tool or accessory for my bike(s).

I will admit that after 2 or 3 patches, however, it's adios to the tube. It doesn't owe me anything by then.

thomson

I patch them until a patch would overlap another or the tube itself is so old it loses its elasticity. I then put it aside so I can recycle it with the tires.

It isn’t a money issue with me, it is about waste.

frail1

Patch them properly, at home and let sit o/n, with a little weight on the patch. It will fail if you try on the side of the road, in the rain, in the dark, when you're in a hurry...I know, I know .

That rubber tube that you throw away, will be around a long time, unless you're recycling them! Someone will build another to replace the one you buy. Blah, blah, blah...you all know the rest of the rant.

sch

I am a patcher, til the hole is too big to patch or the stem leaks or the rare tube full of pinholes.
AEbikes (and others) sell boxes of 100 Rima patches in either 20 or 25mm round sizes for $15-20/100.
In the early years I just tossed the punctured tubes on a rack in the basement and after a few years
found there were 17 tubes. Since then I started patching, usually works fine. I kept a dented rim and use it for test inflations of patched tubes in a tire, if the tube holds pressure for a day or so it is moved to a 'good tube' hanger and the next repairee mounted up on the dented rim. That way I know the repair is good.
Performance sold off some repair kits a few yrs ago for $0.50 each and I got 20 then. These have larger rectangular patches for the occasional multi punctures or snake bites too far apart for good coverage by the round patches.
The dented rim is also useful to stretch new tires and forming tires prior to mounting on the bike. Performance may sell tubes for $2.50 apiece but shipping will add at least $1 to the price unless you live where they have a store. I like to ride with you guys that throw tubes away, I havent had to buy any new tubes for several years just collecting castoffs.
Steve

jonsam

I also patch tires with Rema Tip-Top patches. They're the way to go as far as I can tell. No reason to waste perfectly good tubes. The feeling of taking something that is broken and fixing it so you can use it again is great. Make sure that you sand down the rubber well and spread out enough glue so all of the patch will adhere. Also, a tip for people who carry a spare tube with them, check it before you put it in your pack. Make sure you blow it up once and check it for leaks. I speak from experience, pulling out your replacement tube only to find a sizable puncture in it is no good.

sngltrackdufus

Trekke

Exactly. I carry a spare tube. If I flat i go there first. If I patch it is only becaue i flat again and that has happened. To me a patch is just a measure to get home or complete a ride.

I have seen too many rides turn out bad because of a 43 tube being patched to death.

Good example and I will shut up. Doing a brevet (200k) one Saturday. This lady has a flat 30 miles into the event. She pulls out her spare tube that has 3 patches on it. Can't get it to hold air. finally ends up patching the original that already has been patched once. She never made it to the end of the ride. Called someone to come pick her up because of flat problems. Great ride opportunity ruined. Just not worth it.

sngltrackdufus

Well yes i ride everyday (sun,rain,wind) sometimes i'd get 2 to 3 flats a day on these glass lined streets around here.
After switching tires to the Spec. Nimbus EX up front & Nimbus Armadillo on the rear i have maybe 1 every 2 or 3 days on the road,usually nails & screws . None on packed trails yet.I really don't believe in those thorn resistant tubes.When i run knobbed tires i use a Tuffy tire liner on the rear,which i believe has more resistancy than the thorn resistant tubes.

Trekke

You need a tank not a bike.

trmcgeehan

I used a self-adhesive Park patch on a tube last week, and it started leaking the very next day. I applied to patch without first putting air in the tube, so when I installed the tube in the tire and inflated it, the patch came loose because the rubber was stretching under the patch. Duh!

sngltrackdufus

Yeah you have to make sure surface on tube is really clean with those stick-on patches. I never had much long term luck with those. They seem to come undone at the edges after while.
YOu don't want to have air in tube while patching.
I personally don't believe there is anything as good or better than the old tube of glue & patch system.

juicemouse

+1

juicemouse

Proper application of a good quality glued patch solves that problem entirely.
I also like sch's and jonsam's suggestions of checking your spare before you leave for the ride.

cooker

My observations:
You rarely get a flat at home!
You can carry a spare tube or a patch kit. A patch kit is easier to carry.
You can usually apply a patch without removing the wheel (unless it's really close to the stem).
If patches are going to fail, they fail the same day.
When patches have failed on me, I think it was because I forgot to roll the patched tube between my fingers to ensure complete contact.

erader

and i used to flat all the time on my road bike. i think i got two flats on my last double century, or was it three?

i use park patches but i also carry a spare tube. ideally i patch the tube on my work bench. i use sandpaper, rubbing alcohol and then i sandwich the patch between two pieces of metal in my bench vise.

now i am riding an all-rounder with 1 1/4" tires and i have flatted only twice in 1300 miles...and i was not aware of either flat until i got home.

if this trend continues i may quit patching my tubes.

ed rader

Brian

Not really. See below.

Depends on where the flat is. If I'm doing an evening ride with a group, and anyone flats, I'm whacking a new tube in so we can continue our pace. But if I'm out for a leisurely afternoon ride, and flat while I'm near a park or similar place, I'm more likely to stop and patch a tube. That said, I'm more likely to patch a tube on our singles, than on our tandem. I don't think I've ever had a patch fail, since I take the time to do it right. Tubes are cheap enough that I have no problem replacing them when I flat, but I also think it's lazy to add more landfill waste for the sake of convenience.

enduro

I patch until the valve fails. Can't do much about that. Usually it's on a really old tube. I have had several valve failures, one of which forced me to run 6 miles in bike shoes, rolling the bike beside me, to get to class on time. The worst part? The class turned out to be cancelled.

Trekke

I gotta call you on this one. Where in the world is the logic in that statement. My friend it is a round wheel and the sliver of glass has no idea where the stem is.

Trekke

So lesson learned - "forget the patches" (no pun intended).