Every time I read pgjackson's flat tire threads I get a flat.

It's a curse.

I get a couple flats a year. I buy tubes on sale for $3. It's not worth the effort plus you never can be 100% sure the patch works and you lose air at some point (msot likely a few miles down the road).

If you know how to patch a tube, I'd wager the failure rate is on par with an out-of-the-box tube.

I feel like I am cursed.

This. If a tube lives long enough to need patching from a regular flat, then it's already prove that it's not gonna rip at the seams or valve and I'd put my money on my patchwork over a new/untested tube any day of the week.

Well I rode 38 miles today with no flat so I feel much better. I have been having your luck recently with flats and tube repair.

I rode up Lake Wohlford road, through Valley Center to Lilac through Castle Creek and up the Lawrence Welk/395 grade.

Nope. I've been riding for more than 30 years. I've never had a bad tube out-of-the box but I've had a few slow leaks from patchs and I know how to do it. One time road debris caused multiple weak points in a tube - what I patched took care of one hole but that wasn't enough. For $3, it's not worth it.

The results would suggest otherwise.

What I said was I've had multiple weak points that later turned out as leaks besides the flat. Thta's why I like putting a new tube in.

The wife and I are going to do the Citrus/El Norte/Centre City tomorrow. Don't think she's ready for the 395 grade.

That's a good ride.

If you haven't tried it yet, the rail trail along the Sprinter line is a good ride as well. I usually ride Country Club lane to El Norte, Borden, then in towards the San Marcos Civic Center along Mission. There's a bunch of restaurants near the Civic Center and it makes for a good pit stop. You can pick up the rail trail near the Civic Center and take it all the way back to the Escondido transit center.

There's not much traffic at all along that route (and none of course on the trail).

Lake Wohlford was an absolute butt kicker. Worst hill I have ever ridden. I got my butt handed to me by about 50 "real" cyclists on the way up including the guy I was riding with.

"Nope. I've been riding for more than 30 years. I've never had a bad tube out-of-the box."



k



...for you.



A used tube that has worn spots, abrasions, oxidized spots, I agree, not worth the risk.



However, new out of box: misdrilled stems (off center, hence leak at thread valley, where break will occur...), three of those so far; cracky crinkly spot, no good, dustbin, four of those; tears at seam, three; bad valve, two.



Hence the spare tube in my little seat pack is usually a proven tube; if new, it's been inspected.



I genrally toss road tubes after five patches, depending, mountain tubes at seven.



NEVER had a patch fail.



I have, however, mispatched a tube, then either repatched or dustbined the tube.



Heh, I've never put a bad patch on the bike then had it fail, jeezes, and hope I never do.



There's nothing particularly special about the Rema glue, except it comes in a small tube, easily carried with.



At home, use Pax



https://www.bikeworldusa.us/Pax-Rubbe...source=froogle



Whatever the product, squeeze out any air, don't puncture the container or break the cap, and be sure the nozzle shoulder has just enough of a film to seal.



Unless there's a problem, or many open/close cycles, a small tube of patch glue should be usable until all gone.



That is all.

Where is this trail?

It parallels the Sprinter line and runs from the Escondido transit center just past Palomar College. You can see parts of it driving along Mission. It's around 6.5 miles, paved and not crowded at all. It's *supposed* to eventually run all the way to Oceanside but I'm not sure when that's going to happen. The route I described earlier was one of the first ones I brought my wife on when she was getting into cycling - a couple rolling hills but mostly flat and you can take a couple detours along the way to make it more difficult if you want. The best thing is there are nice bike lanes and the speed limit along Country Club Lane is only 25 mph.

I wrote a blog on the rail trail last month here: https://mjonesblog.com/?p=387