Patched Tubes: Replace or Use?
08-22-07 | 07:15 PM
#51
Sir Fallalot
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 5,288
Likes: 17
Tell that to your neighbor's finch you "executed" with one of those slings - "far from deadly"! 
To me? I'm the wrong guy to ask for an opinion on handlebar comfort - I have bikes with no grips or tapes at all!
Only one thing I'd like to mention: tubes have, internally, some really tiny kind of talk/powder, to prevent the walls from sticking. This powder will greatly facilitate pulling the tubes on the handlebars (or the taped part of the handlebars), but then, if you want them to stick tight, definitely remove it, by rolling up the ends of the tube as if they were socks, and then rubbing them with an old but clean rag dipped in alcohol. Clean the handlebar from any grease while you're at it. Depending on the width of the tube you used, you'll end up with an almost un-removable layer of rubber.
Only one thing I'd like to mention: tubes have, internally, some really tiny kind of talk/powder, to prevent the walls from sticking. This powder will greatly facilitate pulling the tubes on the handlebars (or the taped part of the handlebars), but then, if you want them to stick tight, definitely remove it, by rolling up the ends of the tube as if they were socks, and then rubbing them with an old but clean rag dipped in alcohol. Clean the handlebar from any grease while you're at it. Depending on the width of the tube you used, you'll end up with an almost un-removable layer of rubber.
08-22-07 | 07:51 PM
#52
Call me The Breeze
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,702
Likes: 8
From: Cooper Ontario
Bikes: 2004 Litespeed Siena, 1996 Litespeed Obed, 1992 Miele (unknown model), 1982 Meile Uno LS.
08-22-07 | 07:59 PM
#53
Sir Fallalot
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 5,288
Likes: 17
But I strongly disagree on the chinese tubes - they're junk. They often rip on the seams even when used in the correct rim/tire size, after a while. ALL my flats this spring and summer came from the same reason - chinese tube develops a tiny rip at a seam. This has been going on since the chinese tubes made a bigger appearance on the finnish market. My friends confirm my findings.
Maybe the chinese tubes YOU are getting, there in the USA, are better quality, but I tend to doubt that.
08-22-07 | 08:09 PM
#54
Call me The Breeze
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,702
Likes: 8
From: Cooper Ontario
Bikes: 2004 Litespeed Siena, 1996 Litespeed Obed, 1992 Miele (unknown model), 1982 Meile Uno LS.
I'm in Canada actually... but who knows! I've had a few valves tear after several re-uses but that's to be expected.
Ah Schrader looks much better! I knew something looked fishy!
Ah Schrader looks much better! I knew something looked fishy!
08-22-07 | 09:30 PM
#56
Mr. Dopolina
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 10,276
Likes: 185
From: Taiwan
Bikes: KUUPAS, Simpson VR
08-22-07 | 09:35 PM
#57
Mr. Dopolina
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 10,276
Likes: 185
From: Taiwan
Bikes: KUUPAS, Simpson VR
08-23-07 | 07:58 AM
#58
. . .or you could make a belt out of the tube and a sprocket!
https://www.instructables.com/id/E89U54ZF52STO6K/
https://www.instructables.com/id/E89U54ZF52STO6K/
__________________
Roll away the dew!
Roll away the dew!
Last edited by Steve Hamlin; 08-23-07 at 07:58 AM. Reason: typo's
08-23-07 | 08:26 AM
#59
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 547
Likes: 0
Bikes: c'dale six13, bobjackson
I always reuse 'em! Most last practically forever, so reusing them is not only cheap and less wasteful, I don't have to make the effort of removing and replacing the tube.
On the other hand, I do occasionally have patches refuse to stick. I basically have a "three strikes and you're out rule". If I fail to patch a leak twice, I throw it out on the third time! There's no point worrying about these occasional recalcitrant leaks, but I save money, time, and waste by reusing most tubes.
I use real patches (not the glueless kind), and I always buff the tube with sandpaper. I typically wait only about 1 minute for the glue to dry, and I blow on it gently to speed it up. I like the Performance Bike patch kits the best.
On the other hand, I do occasionally have patches refuse to stick. I basically have a "three strikes and you're out rule". If I fail to patch a leak twice, I throw it out on the third time! There's no point worrying about these occasional recalcitrant leaks, but I save money, time, and waste by reusing most tubes.
I use real patches (not the glueless kind), and I always buff the tube with sandpaper. I typically wait only about 1 minute for the glue to dry, and I blow on it gently to speed it up. I like the Performance Bike patch kits the best.
08-23-07 | 11:08 AM
#60
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,392
Likes: 2
From: Central Coast, CA
Bikes: Surly LHT, Specialized Rockhopper, Nashbar Touring (old), Specialized Stumpjumper (older), Nishiki Tourer (model unknown)
I feel bad. 
For a long time I've just replaced a flat tube with a new one and thrown away the old (although I always keep a couple old ones hanging from the rafters to make rubber washers and other assorted rubber doohickeys.) I think it was from bad experiences with patched tubes, which was caused by poor gluing - not enough area and not waiting long enough for it to dry. This summer I replaced a tube on my Bob trailer and reused it because I wasn't going to be able to buy a new one for several days, due to my remote location. I was careful and methodical and it worked great - held air as well as the new tube.
Now when I think about all the wasting I did by not recycling, I feel bad. I'm a recycling crusader, and yet I wasn't recycling my tubes!
I'll try to do better.
For a long time I've just replaced a flat tube with a new one and thrown away the old (although I always keep a couple old ones hanging from the rafters to make rubber washers and other assorted rubber doohickeys.) I think it was from bad experiences with patched tubes, which was caused by poor gluing - not enough area and not waiting long enough for it to dry. This summer I replaced a tube on my Bob trailer and reused it because I wasn't going to be able to buy a new one for several days, due to my remote location. I was careful and methodical and it worked great - held air as well as the new tube.
Now when I think about all the wasting I did by not recycling, I feel bad. I'm a recycling crusader, and yet I wasn't recycling my tubes!
I'll try to do better.
