How many patches have you stuck on a road tube (or any tube) before retiring it?

I patched a friends last summer and it already had 6 on it. That's about the most I've seen. But I'm sure somebody'll beat that.

Nine...at my schoolbike ! (now retired)

Only one. I usually just replace the tube completely. I find it easier to do.

Generally after four I replace the tube.

6 or 7. I only replace when the hole is too big, or close to the valve.
I cant imagine dicarding an inner after one puncture. Unless you are riding on exceedingly hot roads, puncture repairs last for years.

What do people use for repairs, self-adhesive patches, (on the road) or rubber solution (at home)?

I actually carry rubber solution with me for use on the road. However, that is only in real emergencies. I normally carry a spare tube and if one punctures, I fix it at home. Although, I haven't had to worry about this particular problem for quite a while (famous last words I'm sure).

Self-adhesive patches from Parks Tools all of the time. I can't be arsed farting around with rubber solution. They haven't failed yet - touch wood.

Two patches is the limit for me, I don't wan't to feel too many lumps and get the wheels too unbalanced and patches usually leak. Actually I was trained only to use that many at most. I know guys who carry spare tubes with them and only use patches if they have more than one flat, then replace any tubes they've patched. I carry a spare tube as well and patch at home for better results and a shorter stop on the road

Ride (Fairly) Fresh Rubber
Pat

I have only had one flat in the last five years and that was last month. I think I am just lucky...and that I ride a MTB with slicks, so I am running on a thicker tire.

I'll usually go about a half dozen or so. It seems that by then, the presta valve starts to show signs of wear from all the opening and tightly closing. On some crappy tubes the valves go way too soon.

I haven't noticed any "out of balance" feeling but it'll give me something new to worry about now.

As a few have stated, I also keep a spare tube at all times and will repair a punture in the comfort of my home under operating room conditions.

I thought we'd get stories of so many patches you couldn't see the tube.

4 or 5. If I get a puncture I swap for a spare tube (of the 2 I always carry) and repair the burst tube at home, then swap it back.

Grrrrrrrrrr..... Sore point.........

First morning where the wind's dropped to a pleasant level in days, I'm all kitted out in my cycling gear, I start wheeling the bike and it feels a little odd... Flat as a pancake.

The valve did seem to be sticking on Sunday evening when I topped the pressure up, but I thought I'd tightened the dork nut enough with the pliers.

I guess I'll just swap the tube over tonight, and call it a bad tube... Had it been the front I might have dealt with it this morning but as it was the rear I ended up getting changed and catching the train.

It was a beautiful morning as well

Richard

Okay this is probably obvious to everyone else, and it's probably just me who's been doing it wrong....

I mentioned to the guy in the LBS that I thought the valve on my tube had packed up rather than there being a puncture and he asked where I had the valve whenever I topped the tube up, I said at the bottom... If you've got slime tubes always pump with the valve in the top half of the tyre, and either gently roll the tyre an inch or two each way, or leave for 30 secs before undoing the valve to clear any slime.

It's obvious when you know

Richard

Richard.
What do you to your inner that requires pliers ?
Do you need to dissasemble the valve to slime to tube ?

Sorry - I didn't make myself clear...

The presta valve on the tube (pre-filled slime) wasn't returning properly so in order to try and shut the air escape off I tightened the dork nut with pliers (closing it with finger pressure didn't work, probably partly because the small abount of escaping slime made getting a grip difficult). The cause of the problem seems to be topping the tyre up with the valve at the bottom of the tyre rather than the top - slime had basically clogged the valve.

Does that sort of make sense?

Richard

Well I swapped my first tube over last night (okay I know it was probably foolhardy riding the last few months knowing the theory but never having put it into practice, but hey I like a bit of excitement in my life ). I managed it without any problems, and without the need for tyre levers - I feel quite proud of myself

(and before you ask it stood up to a 14 mile ride in this morning).

The old tube seemed fine apart from the valve - it might have been cleanable, but I confess I didn't try. I couldn't see anywhere that the slime had dealt with a puncture, but I didn't check it too thoroughly.

Richard

p.s. why did it have to be the rear rather than the front...

Congrats on the accomplishment!

With practice it becomes only a slight inconvenience.

Re: Park Tools self-adhesive patches

Whenever I've used these very useful sounding things I've been unable to make them stick to my tyre sufficiently, and resort to solution and new patch. A friend has also found this to be the case. Are we alone on this?

I don't know specifically about the Park Tool patches, but from people who've tried 'Leeches' which are pretty much the same thing, they seem okay at lowish pressure, but not with high pressure tyres.

Richard