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-   -   Patch kit failure rate (https://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/459624-patch-kit-failure-rate.html)

ItsJustMe 09-01-08 07:01 PM

How do glueless patches last when they're NOT installed in a tire? Typically I'll patch when I get home, then roll the tube up and stuff it in my repair bag. I've had glueless patches get ripped off while bouncing around in the bag for the year I usually go between flats. I guess I could be careful to fold the tube so that the patch was protected by the rest of the tube, but that could get tricky by the time there are 3 or 4 patches on the tube.
The only way to get a glue patch off is to rip the tube.
Again, maybe I'm doing something wrong. But I prefer to use the patches that are so good that they simply can not be removed once properly applied; less to worry about.

froze 09-03-08 07:21 PM


Originally Posted by rm -rf (Post 7381104)
How long do the Park glueless patches last in the bike bag? I carry a tube and the Park patches. But I've never had more than one puncture on a ride, so the patches are still untried after two years.

Patching the tube at home with glue patches, I would typically find the little tube of glue dried up. So now I have a jar of Elmer's Rubber Cement, 4 fl oz. It's worked well, so far.

I had a Glueless Patch box for about 3 years and they still worked...BUT...to be safe, since I don't know how long they will last, you should replace them after 1 year since it's cheap insurance (about $2 for 6).

Most of you would probably go through 6 patches before a year was up anyways.

froze 09-03-08 07:33 PM


Originally Posted by ItsJustMe (Post 7384082)
How do glueless patches last when they're NOT installed in a tire? Typically I'll patch when I get home, then roll the tube up and stuff it in my repair bag. I've had glueless patches get ripped off while bouncing around in the bag for the year I usually go between flats. I guess I could be careful to fold the tube so that the patch was protected by the rest of the tube, but that could get tricky by the time there are 3 or 4 patches on the tube.
The only way to get a glue patch off is to rip the tube.
Again, maybe I'm doing something wrong. But I prefer to use the patches that are so good that they simply can not be removed once properly applied; less to worry about.

I understand you patch when you get home, but I patch first before going to the spare tube mostly because I can patch as fast as I can change a tube. How do I do that you scream...by simply finding where the leak is on the tire (usually easy) then remove about 1/2 of the bead on one side with the leak in the center; then pull down about 1/4th of the tube, again with the leak in the middle; check the inside and outside of the tire for the offending object; then repair the tube and put it all back together. This method works easy with folding tires but stiff beaded tires like Armadillos it doesn't work at all but then again with an Armadillo the chances for a flat is slim to none.

Obviously if it's raining out then fixing a flat in wet conditions is impossible, then I go to the spare tube.

When I carry a spare tube it's either brand new in the box or I have tightly rolled the tube to get all the air out of the tube and placed in the box. If the tube is patched and in the box then I have yet to have a patch come off.

Like I mentioned in a earlier post, I tried to remove a glueless patch this last weekend and I ripped the tube instead. The patch had been on the tube for about 2 years though.

If you lightly sand the tube then wipe with an alcohol wipe pad the glueless patch will stick like glue...pardon the pun.

10 Wheels 09-03-08 07:35 PM


Originally Posted by froze (Post 7396268)
I understand you patch when you get home, but I patch first before going to the spare tube mostly because I can patch as fast as I can change a tube. How do I do that you scream...by simply finding where the leak is on the tire (usually easy) then remove about 1/2 of the bead on one side with the leak in the center; then pull down about 1/4th of the tube, again with the leak in the middle; check the inside and outside of the tire for the offending object; then repair the tube and put it all back together. This method works easy with folding tires but stiff beaded tires like Armadillos it doesn't work at all but then again with an Armadillo the chances for a flat is slim to none.

Obviously if it's raining out then fixing a flat in wet conditions is impossible, then I go to the spare tube. I use Patched Tubes up to Nine Patches.

When I carry a spare tube it's either brand new in the box or I have tightly rolled the tube to get all the air out of the tube and placed in the box. If the tube is patched and in the box then I have yet to have a patch come off.

Like I mentioned in a earlier post, I tried to remove a glueless patch this last weekend and I ripped the tube instead. The patch had been on the tube for about 2 years though.

If you lightly sand the tube then wipe with an alcohol wipe pad the glueless patch will stick like glue...pardon the pun.

I carry Three Spare Tubes. Finding the Leak on the Road is most difficult.
Good Luck.

froze 09-03-08 08:07 PM


Originally Posted by 10 Wheels (Post 7396283)
I carry Three Spare Tubes. Finding the Leak on the Road is most difficult.
Good Luck.

95% of the time I never have any trouble finding a leak fast (and 3% of the time it takes more patience) on the road; thus I can save weight and bulk by only having to carry 1 tube...of course I make up for the lack of 2 extra tubes by carry a spare ultralight racing tire! When you ride out in the middle of nowhere as I like to do and have had tires get destroyed, then having a spare tire (and of course a tube) is a life saver.

gascostalot 09-04-08 06:35 AM

Well I just jinxed myself, yesterday I gotten a flat on my 'main' tube and without thinking much about it I change to my spare tube. Murphy was having a field day, because later on that day I came to a bicycle with another completely flat tire. Of course, I cant patch it due to the hole being more of a cut then a hole.

So a bus ride later I came home and examine my 'main' tube and guess were the leak was? it was Coming from the glueless patch, SOB! I lost a perfectly good tube because of that glueless patch...

froze 09-04-08 09:57 PM


Originally Posted by gascostalot (Post 7398437)
. So a bus ride later I came home and examine my 'main' tube and guess were the leak was? it was Coming from the glueless patch, SOB! I lost a perfectly good tube because of that glueless patch...

No you lost a perfectly good tube due to not knowing how to apply a glueless patch. So try another sob story, this one didn't work with me!


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