Tubes: patch __ times before replacing?
 

The title says it all.

Seven

until the valve falls off

When I have to put a patch extremely close to another patch or until the seam split (which one tube have done on me).

Frankly, I don't usually patch. I just get new tubes. I've got about 5 tubes waiting to be patched but I can never seem to get it right. I'm running 700x23c tires/tubes and keep them pumped to about 120psi. Do the basic patches you can get at any WalMart not work on tires of this pressure or something?

After five patches I think its time to replace haha

I'm with Linux, i usually buy cheap tubes and chuck 'em when they get punctures, i've had a few where the patch (or my repair) failed, and i always feel a bit pikey riding with patched tubes and imagine i can feel the lump as i ride over the patch.

Probably. I don't know what they sell at Walmart but you might want to spring for patches with tapered edges. Basic patches from a bike shop will work flawlessly for most puncture repairs.

42

Impossible.

Are you using glueless patch? The best one I found is the Parker brand. I used them on my 700x23 tube with Hutchison tires running at 120psi which gets puncture all the time. I don't even bother replacing them with glue patch which I should.

When using glue patch, it is important to get the glue tacky before sticking the patch on. On 700x23 tubes, getting the edge to stick well is a little bit harder since some glue patch is slightly bigger than the surface area of the tube even when you lay the tube flat. You may have to work the edge back and forth until the glue set. Having the glue tacky before placing the patch will assist in getting the edge set and having the glue stick to the tube.

I need to see a picture of a tube you finally replaced before I believe that. Even if I believed it, I'd want to see pictures!

at the point I run out of patches and the store stops selling patches in bulk... and the world ends; or till the valve tears ( or a snake bite over 1in long (never had that))

patches are much cheaper than tubes, why spend money money unnecessarily and prematurely fill the landfill with rubber?

I keep telling myself that but it won't stop!

No, these seem to be basic glueless patches. Sorta like sticky Saran squares, so to speak. I've read the instructions but I've never been able to use these patches on my 700c tubes. I think I remember one successful patch when I was commuting on the MTB but I may have just sprung for another tube (especially since the 26" tubes don't require a special trip to the bike shop like my 700c ones. (Target and Wal-Mart sell a couple bikes that require a thinner 700c tire but don't sell the tubes for it? WTF?))

I'm gonna visit my LBS tomorrow and get a proper patch kit. And some better tire levers. And something else I'm sure. GAWD, it's like a candy store! :D

It's a quote from Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, you dolt.

+1

Yeah, same here. Candy store with little resistant from me. I hardly ever walk out a LBS without buying something :)

Forgot to mention. Patches works better if the tube are sanded with the included sand paper in the patch kit. I never bought Walmart patches and if they include a sand paper or not?

They have this little metal scraper that is supposed to have the same effect. Think of a cheese grater that works in both directions. I used it before applying the patches but, alas, she fails.

I keep trying to find out! So far,

1 glueless patch (Park), which lasted five days and I had to chuck the tube, and chucked the rest of the patches.

10 regular patches, and then the valve stem decided to upchuck and die. I think that of six current tubes in service, the "worst" is at five.

Same here. Though I do always keep a patch free tube in my under saddlebag(s).

A cheese grater isn't sand paper, and can't possibly produce the right texture for proper adhesion. A proper patch kit from Rema or Park costs a couple bucks, and they work. The **** sold at wal-mart costs just as much and doesn't work. Why do people bother?

It lasted a couple weeks for me.
I carry the glueless patches and use them as a temporary measure to get home.
Once home, I swap out the tube, patch the punctured one, hang it on the wall to be swapped back in next time I come home with a glueless patch applied.

I use these patches only. Never had good luck with the glueless. I don't patch on the road, I replace the tube and patch at home.
10 new tubes every year and the old tubes usually have 8-15 patches each by then. (Goathead country here.)
The right tire on my handcycle rides much closer to the debris zone and accounts for almost all the flats.

So there won't be any pictures?

I want to see a tube that was patched until the valve fell off. Is that too much to ask?