Flats- patch or replace?
06-10-05 | 11:30 AM
#51
cyclist/gearhead/cycli...
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,166
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From: DC / Maryland suburbs
Bikes: Homebuilt tourer/commuter, modified-beyond-recognition 1990 Trek 1100, reasonably stock 2002-ish Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo
Originally Posted by Monument Man
patching tires is hardly a "skill"
i mean honestly it's pretty easy right? is there something i'm missing? FYI I replace but I could not imaging losing the "skills" to patch!
It is interesting however to notice that this question was aksed a few weeks ago on the road bike forum. The vast majority favored replacing vs. patching. Guess it goes to show that commuters are doing it for more monetary and environmental vs. physical and fun reasons. Not sure if my hypothesis works out but still it's interesting becuase there is a vast difference in the majority opinion between the two boards.
i mean honestly it's pretty easy right? is there something i'm missing? FYI I replace but I could not imaging losing the "skills" to patch!
It is interesting however to notice that this question was aksed a few weeks ago on the road bike forum. The vast majority favored replacing vs. patching. Guess it goes to show that commuters are doing it for more monetary and environmental vs. physical and fun reasons. Not sure if my hypothesis works out but still it's interesting becuase there is a vast difference in the majority opinion between the two boards.
But many of them may haul the old tubes home and put 'em in a pile. Then they'll go back and patch them all on a rainy day...
06-10-05 | 12:13 PM
#52
killer goldfish
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 221
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From: right here, right now
Bikes: fixies, fixies, and the ss cruiser
Originally Posted by Monument Man
patching tires is hardly a "skill"
i have a 16.5 mile (one way) commute that takes me an hour. i don't particularly want to spend 15-20 minutes replacing/patching a tube, especially on the way to work (the later i get there, the later i end up having to work).
it's a skill to be able to change a tube or patch one quickly -- in say under 5 minutes. when you're hands are sweaty. when it's cold. when it's raining.
just like anything else. easy to do. doing it well makes it a skill.
06-10-05 | 12:20 PM
#53
Originally Posted by JavaMan
I save my punctured tubes until I get 5 or 6, then patch them all at once.
.........that's my style...
Last edited by roadfix; 06-10-05 at 12:26 PM.
04-12-06 | 10:49 AM
#55
Smallpox Champion
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Reno , NV
Bikes: 2005 Lemond Poprad
I actually want the construction details on that stand!
<<Sorry for reviving a dead post--- searched for glue drying up and found it>>
<<Sorry for reviving a dead post--- searched for glue drying up and found it>>
Last edited by yespatterns; 04-12-06 at 10:51 AM. Reason: Sorry for reviving a dead post--- searched for glue drying up and found it
04-12-06 | 11:07 AM
#56
That darn Yankee
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: West West Fort Worth
Bikes: Mongoose XR-100, Eros Bianchi
Nashbar resealeables
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04-12-06 | 12:02 PM
#58
Seņior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Michigan
Bikes: Windsor Fens, Giant Seek 0 (2014, Alfine 8 + discs)
I carry a spare tube, a couple square inches of an old tire in case of a slash, and a self-sticking patch kit. I find it's fastest to slap a patch on, since I can just lever the tire out still on the bike, swipe out the sharp stuff, stick on a patch, and reinflate. But the spare tube is nice to have around; if it's raining or something I may not be able to get a patch to stick.
When I get home, I put a REAL patch on (rubber, applied with rubber cement, clamped until set). I have tubes with 5 patches on them. The patch is stronger than the rest of the tube if done right.
If I ever get a tube that's got 10 patches on it, I might give it the honor of meeting a pair of scissors and becoming my next few dozen patches.
Glue does not "wear out" because when properly applied with rubber cement, the rubber is welded together. You can't even tear them apart regardless of the age of the patch; you'll rip the whole tube apart first (I've tried).
I think rubber cement is all the same and hasn't changed for 100+ years. I use the stuff from the office supply store, $1.50 for a can of Elmer's. I use it even to plug holes in my car tire, and have run tires plugged using that stuff for 10's of thousands of miles on my car.
I ride largely due to environmentalism, so I'm sure not going to throw out a tube because it's got a tiny hole in it.
When I get home, I put a REAL patch on (rubber, applied with rubber cement, clamped until set). I have tubes with 5 patches on them. The patch is stronger than the rest of the tube if done right.
If I ever get a tube that's got 10 patches on it, I might give it the honor of meeting a pair of scissors and becoming my next few dozen patches.
Glue does not "wear out" because when properly applied with rubber cement, the rubber is welded together. You can't even tear them apart regardless of the age of the patch; you'll rip the whole tube apart first (I've tried).
I think rubber cement is all the same and hasn't changed for 100+ years. I use the stuff from the office supply store, $1.50 for a can of Elmer's. I use it even to plug holes in my car tire, and have run tires plugged using that stuff for 10's of thousands of miles on my car.
I ride largely due to environmentalism, so I'm sure not going to throw out a tube because it's got a tiny hole in it.
04-12-06 | 07:44 PM
#59
Seņior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Michigan
Bikes: Windsor Fens, Giant Seek 0 (2014, Alfine 8 + discs)
Originally Posted by moxfyre
I imagine a lot of people always replace their tubes if they're out for a ride, cause it's just easier.
04-12-06 | 08:55 PM
#60
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,656
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From: Long Island, NY
Originally Posted by Monument Man
Patch kits may cost around $3, and I used to buy one after every flat anyway becuase the open glue tube might not last the month or two until I get another flat.
