View Poll Results: Do you patch or swap tubes?
Always/mostly patch
27
24.77%
Always/mostly swap
69
63.30%
I'll see when I get my first flat
8
7.34%
I can't fix a flat, I walk to the LBS
5
4.59%
Voters: 109. You may not vote on this poll
Do you patch or swap?
05-10-06 | 07:43 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,393
Likes: 10
From: Albany, WA
Do you patch or swap?
When I get a flat, I always patch it. Why?
* Because I have to find the hole anyway to find the cause for the puncture in the tyre.
* While I fix the tyre, the rubber cement might as well dry. So, I quickly cement the tube before searching for the thorn/glass/whatever.
* My spare tube is in a ziplock bag with talcum powder rolled tightly; I can't be bothered to get it out and pack the leaky one away. Might as well smear the cement on the leaky one instead.
* Because I have to find the hole anyway to find the cause for the puncture in the tyre.
* While I fix the tyre, the rubber cement might as well dry. So, I quickly cement the tube before searching for the thorn/glass/whatever.
* My spare tube is in a ziplock bag with talcum powder rolled tightly; I can't be bothered to get it out and pack the leaky one away. Might as well smear the cement on the leaky one instead.
05-10-06 | 07:51 AM
#2
Infamous Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 24,360
Likes: 7
From: Ohio
Bikes: Surly Big Dummy, Fuji World, 80ish Bianchi
I swap - it's faster. I repair the old tube later and use it as a spare.
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
05-10-06 | 08:00 AM
#3
Minneapolis
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 873
Likes: 1
From: Just under Minneapolis
Bikes: 1998 Stumpjumper Pro, SE Draft, 1984 Bianchi ATB, 1980? Raleigh Comp GS, Civia Loring
Originally Posted by chipcom
I swap - it's faster. I repair the old tube later and use it as a spare.
05-10-06 | 09:07 AM
#7
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 366
Likes: 0
I go with the convenience of swap and patch later, hoping I dont get another puncture.
An anecdote: in China, you can see dozens of people walking their flat tire bike to the nearest streetside bike mechanic/flat fixer everyday. The dialogue is always the same: fix my flat, I'm in a hurry! Fix it yourself, then. I dont know how. (An acronym for I dont want to get my hands dirty.) OK, I'll do it. You might want to get a new tire pretty soon. Fix the hole, I'm in a hurry. OK, done. Heres 5 yuan. It costs 10 yuan because youre in a hurry.
What a racket! 10Y to fix a flat. Thats $1.25. And if its a waitress or factory worker going to work, they make only 800Y a month. If you make $800 and month, would you pay somebody $10 to fix your tire?
An anecdote: in China, you can see dozens of people walking their flat tire bike to the nearest streetside bike mechanic/flat fixer everyday. The dialogue is always the same: fix my flat, I'm in a hurry! Fix it yourself, then. I dont know how. (An acronym for I dont want to get my hands dirty.) OK, I'll do it. You might want to get a new tire pretty soon. Fix the hole, I'm in a hurry. OK, done. Heres 5 yuan. It costs 10 yuan because youre in a hurry.
What a racket! 10Y to fix a flat. Thats $1.25. And if its a waitress or factory worker going to work, they make only 800Y a month. If you make $800 and month, would you pay somebody $10 to fix your tire?
05-10-06 | 09:15 AM
#8
Fuji Shill
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,230
Likes: 0
From: Gilmanton Iron Works, NH
Bikes: Fuji Roubaix
Originally Posted by chipcom
I swap - it's faster. I repair the old tube later and use it as a spare.
This answer should have been in the poll.
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05-10-06 | 09:29 AM
#9
Seńor Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 267
Likes: 0
From: Simi Valley, CA, USA, Earth, Solar System, Milky Way
Bikes: 1996 GT Force, 1999 Cannondale R1000, 2006 Cannondale Synapse
Originally Posted by chipcom
I swap - it's faster. I repair the old tube later and use it as a spare.
05-10-06 | 09:39 AM
#10
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 706
Likes: 1
From: Portland, OR
I swap. I use old tubes for straps, they're pretty handy. I'll tie them to the rack, or just tie a hook in them. Instant cheapo bungee. You can carry a bike frame pretty easily on your back using a tube as a strap. I seem to do that more than I would even expect. You can tie them around just about anything and throw it over your back. They're pretty strong. You can cut them up and use them for accessory shims too (great for lights, reflectors, speedometers, etc.). I don't use the old tubes in my wheels, but I still use them.
05-10-06 | 09:56 AM
#11
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 18,138
Likes: 324
Bikes: 2 many
If I am riding alone I view a flat as an opportunity to practice patching on the road in all kinds of situations.
I take my time and see what I can learn when I patch the tire. It's interesting, and a handy skill to have.
On a group ride I usually swap because no one will have patience for patching. Although I would wait for another rider to patch a tire. I have no problem with that.
I end up saving everyone who does not have a spare tube, or patches, or inflation, or ...........
I take my time and see what I can learn when I patch the tire. It's interesting, and a handy skill to have.
On a group ride I usually swap because no one will have patience for patching. Although I would wait for another rider to patch a tire. I have no problem with that.
I end up saving everyone who does not have a spare tube, or patches, or inflation, or ...........
05-10-06 | 11:20 AM
#12
Tubes are cheap . Who wants to fumble with finding a hole and cementing it and contact patches are crap.
05-10-06 | 11:22 AM
#13
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,603
Likes: 0
From: northern California
Bikes: Bruce Gordon BLT, Cannondale parts bike, Ecodyne recumbent trike, Counterpoint Opus 2, miyata 1000
Originally Posted by roadpig2001
Tubes are cheap . Who wants to fumble with finding a hole and cementing it and contact patches are crap.
.
05-10-06 | 11:35 AM
#14
Arizona Dessert
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 15,029
Likes: 2,170
From: AZ
Bikes: Cannondale SuperSix, Lemond Poprad. Retired: Jamis Sputnik, Centurion LeMans Fixed, Diamond Back ascent ex
It really depends.
Sometimes one has an obvious flat source and one can just pull a bit of tube out without even taking off wheel and patch and go. I've done this a few times.
Othertimes one takes out a tube and even then it can be hard to find the hole in the tube, then it easier to put a new tube back in (after ensuring no object still remains in tire)
Al
Sometimes one has an obvious flat source and one can just pull a bit of tube out without even taking off wheel and patch and go. I've done this a few times.
Othertimes one takes out a tube and even then it can be hard to find the hole in the tube, then it easier to put a new tube back in (after ensuring no object still remains in tire)
Al
05-10-06 | 03:26 PM
#15
Time for a change.
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 19,913
Likes: 7
From: 6 miles inland from the coast of Sussex, in the South East of England
Bikes: Dale MT2000. Bianchi FS920 Kona Explosif. Giant TCR C. Boreas Ignis. Pinarello Fp Uno.
I always swap over- but before rolling up the punctured tube- I repair the damn thing.-Ready for the next ^&$£"* puncture. They say the best ones come in 3's
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05-10-06 | 06:35 PM
#17
Originally Posted by ken cummings
That is fine as long as you take the old one with you and dispose of it properly. Of course if everyone did that my main source of "new" tubes would dry up .
.
05-10-06 | 08:00 PM
#18
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 379
Likes: 0
From: Hatfield, PA
Bikes: '64 Schwinn Traveler, '73 Astra Tour de France, '79 Fuji Gran Tourer, '86 Dahon folder, '94 Specialized Hardrock, '95 GT Timberline, 2005 Jamis Aurora
I patch, unless the weather's too crummy. I try to be all zen about it, and enjoy the few moments of peaceful contemplation that patching a tube provides.
05-11-06 | 10:07 AM
#19
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,470
Likes: 1
From: Houston, TX 77095
Bikes: Specialized Sequoia Elite, Schwinn Frontier FS MTB, Centurion LeMans (1986)
Oh, that's precious.
Wang
Wang
Originally Posted by chromedome
An anecdote: in China, you can see dozens of people walking their flat tire bike to the nearest streetside bike mechanic/flat fixer everyday. The dialogue is always the same: fix my flat, I'm in a hurry! Fix it yourself, then. I dont know how. (An acronym for I dont want to get my hands dirty.) OK, I'll do it. You might want to get a new tire pretty soon. Fix the hole, I'm in a hurry. OK, done. Heres 5 yuan. It costs 10 yuan because youre in a hurry.
What a racket! 10Y to fix a flat. Thats $1.25. And if its a waitress or factory worker going to work, they make only 800Y a month. If you make $800 and month, would you pay somebody $10 to fix your tire?
What a racket! 10Y to fix a flat. Thats $1.25. And if its a waitress or factory worker going to work, they make only 800Y a month. If you make $800 and month, would you pay somebody $10 to fix your tire?
05-11-06 | 10:19 AM
#20
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,932
Likes: 80
From: Tucson, AZ
Bikes: 2025 Enve Fray with SRAM Rival, 1984 Trek 720 with a Nexus hub, 2016 Cannondale Synapse
Originally Posted by chipcom
I swap - it's faster. I repair the old tube later and use it as a spare.
I do the same
05-11-06 | 10:25 AM
#21
Wood Licker
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 16,966
Likes: 2
From: Whistler,BC
Bikes: Trek Fuel EX 8 27.5 +, 2002 Transition Dirtbag, Kona Roast 2002
Originally Posted by chipcom
I swap - it's faster. I repair the old tube later and use it as a spare.
05-11-06 | 12:38 PM
#22
Barbieri Telefonico
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,522
Likes: 2
From: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Bikes: Crappy but operational secondhand Motobecane Messenger
I am having flashbacks of repairing my tubes without removing the tire from the bike. Boy .... I was pretty handy at age 10!
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05-11-06 | 07:45 PM
#25
Banned.
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,016
Likes: 1
From: Home alone
Bikes: Trek 4300 X 2. Trek 1000, Trek 6000
Mountain Bike: Swap and throw the tube in the ditch. (I confess, spare me the lectures, at least i'm honest.) I don't like hauling slime filled tubes.
Road bike: I swap and patch the tube when i get home, then re-use.
Road bike: I swap and patch the tube when i get home, then re-use.