How many patches before you trash the tube?
#26
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If the valve fails, the tube gets tossed.
And sometimes the tube cannot be patched. If the puncture is too close to the valve, or another patch, the tube gets tossed. If the valve core is removable, I'll save that.
Some patches just don't hold air. If that happens, for whatever reason, I may try doing the patch over, though it is likely to tear when I pull the failed one off. If so, the tube gets tossed.
And then there's the blowout, a big star shaped gash. Tube gets tossed.
If none of the above, I don't care how many times it's been patched.
And sometimes the tube cannot be patched. If the puncture is too close to the valve, or another patch, the tube gets tossed. If the valve core is removable, I'll save that.
Some patches just don't hold air. If that happens, for whatever reason, I may try doing the patch over, though it is likely to tear when I pull the failed one off. If so, the tube gets tossed.
And then there's the blowout, a big star shaped gash. Tube gets tossed.
If none of the above, I don't care how many times it's been patched.
then once the tube is REALLY unusable, it becomes a bunjy cord for training the branches on my apple trees to go where I want them.
#27
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I used to replace the tube with a spare if it happened on a ride and then patch the original when I got home and that becomes my spare. But lately I've been rethinking that. Since moving to Boston area from Vermont, I've found that the patch rubber degrades quickly (much more quickly than inner tube rubber, probably because it's meant to be soft and sticky). I think it's the same thing in the air that makes the people here horrible drivers. But patches don't degrade when they're inside a tire, for whatever reason.
The solution is that I patch tubes while I'm out riding unless the weather is horrible or I'm in a huge hurry. That way the patches stay inside the tire and they're fine, and my replacement tube stays patch-free. Bonus, it stays tightly rolled up and I don't have to spend time squeezing the air out to get it to pack down small.
The solution is that I patch tubes while I'm out riding unless the weather is horrible or I'm in a huge hurry. That way the patches stay inside the tire and they're fine, and my replacement tube stays patch-free. Bonus, it stays tightly rolled up and I don't have to spend time squeezing the air out to get it to pack down small.
Last edited by scarlson; 07-23-19 at 09:15 PM.
#28
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I am up to six now. I was getting flats like crazy the past few weeks as I tried to squeeze a few more miles out of my tires. I finally caved and put on a new pair of Gravelkings 32mm and all is well in the world.
#29
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Conti Race Light tubes ain't cheap. I save those for my carbon bike. I'll patch it a few times before replacing.
And I do carry a CO2 kit on the carbon bike, mostly for group rides so folks aren't waiting for me if I have a flat. Otherwise I use pumps. Air is free and pumping is good arm work.
And I do carry a CO2 kit on the carbon bike, mostly for group rides so folks aren't waiting for me if I have a flat. Otherwise I use pumps. Air is free and pumping is good arm work.
#30
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Patches on patches. I buy patches and glue in bulk. +1 to the constant tube rotation: puncture, use spare, repair flat (becomes spare). Most of the time, I will throw out a tube if it's punctured next to the valve, but I've also glued on a replacement valve from another tube as needed.
I also patch tubulars.
I also patch tubulars.
#31
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Patches on patches. I buy patches and glue in bulk. +1 to the constant tube rotation: puncture, use spare, repair flat (becomes spare). Most of the time, I will throw out a tube if it's punctured next to the valve, but I've also glued on a replacement valve from another tube as needed.
I also patch tubulars.
I also patch tubulars.
#32
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Tubes are dirt cheap on amazon and ebay delivered to house.
My next move will be tubeless when my current tires wear out which are the Continental GP4000. New GP5000 is tubeless and my wheels are tubeless ready.
Last edited by prj71; 07-24-19 at 08:13 AM.
#33
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#34
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So for folks who throw out any tube that's been patched, is there a reason for that? Seems like just an OCD thing to me.
#35
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#36
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Maybe there’s a small element to it , but for me it’s more of an economics thing. Most people I’ve met in life place no value on their time . When it is the most valuable thing you have and ever will have. When it’s gone it’s gone and there’s no recovering it . I can always get more money , but time spent patching a tube could be spent riding . I know factually I can put a tube in the tire faster than I can remove it , find the offending hole , repair it and put it back in the tire.
Of course with everything in life your mileage may vary.
#37
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Last edited by KraneXL; 07-24-19 at 09:44 AM.
#39
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I have no aversion to patched tubes but I have noticed lately the quality of patch kits is in the crapper. The “old days” of lighting the glue on fire then applying the patch resulted in a stronger (albeit heavier) tube; the stick on patches I have seen in most of the locally available kits are problematic - I have had patched tubes fail again in short order as the patch dislodges.
So can someone share the types of patch kits you find most functional?
btw: I keep all old tubes (bicycle and motorcycle) as they have thousands of uses once they no longer hold air.
So can someone share the types of patch kits you find most functional?
btw: I keep all old tubes (bicycle and motorcycle) as they have thousands of uses once they no longer hold air.
#41
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Also, note my post number!
#42
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#43
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As noted in the posts above, most of those who use patches only do so after we've exhausted our ready supply of fresh tubes, so your statement doesn't apply. In my question, I was referring more to folks who have said they get home and then remove and discard the patched tube, replacing it with a fresh one. That takes far more time than just using the patched tube.
Also, note my post number!
Also, note my post number!
#45
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If you want to talk about time. I carry a spare tube (no patches). I get a flat, I put the spare tube in. I get home, I remove it and put a patched tube in. I figure: why not puncture an already punctured tube? As far as the time it take patching, I do it while watching TV or sitting on my terrace with some iced tea. As far as how many patches, I toss the tubes when they start looking embarrassing. That would probably be around five. But, I will not put a patched tube in a brand new tire.
#46
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I consider patches "patches" not fixes. Perhaps that's why some of the above logic does not compute?
#47
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I don't have any tubes with valve repairs in active duty to show. I try to cut the valve out of the failed tube out as close to the valve stem as possible with an Exacto knife while avoiding the opposite side to the tube. Then I cut out a working valve from another tube so that the replacement valve plus extra tube area extends as far as possible (the width of the tube to be repaired when laid flat). Apply generous amounts of patching glue or stronger glue such as barge cement. I typically reserve this procedure for tubulars rather than clincher tubes. As I recall, vintage tubular patch kits occasionally came with a spare a valve for this purpose.
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#48
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I'm not hurting for money and my time is worth more to me than money. Until I convert to tubeless it will be throw it out and put a new one in.
Maybe I can start on online business for tubes with holes in them. Sell them for $2 each and retire earlier. I'll call it Holier than Thou!!!
#50
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A $3.00 patch kit equals $30.00 in tubes, less crap in landfills and, I'm no expert, the manufacturing aspect isn't that great for the environment. So, what's the downside to patching? The 5 minutes it takes to do the job?