planning for flat tires // self-adhesive vs conventional patches. And how many?
11-25-15, 06:38 PM
#51
Senior Member
Kinda dumb, but I've ended up buying more patch kits, you know, the $3 things with patches and one or two small tubes in it, whereas the largeer tube I got cost , I dunno, 5 bucks maybe, but it still sits unopened.
I am always surprised by how most people wont even patch a hole, but buy a new tube. Waste waste waste. Or rather an attitude that it cant be as good as a new one, and or just being lazy, and or clueless, and or snobbiness or willingness to spend 5 or 8 or 10 bucks on new tube.
11-25-15, 07:03 PM
#52
Macro Geek
I have had ZERO problems with self-adhesive patches!
Could my good luck relate to the weight of my gear? I don't take a lot; I have carried as little as 18 lbs / 8 kg, and have never exceeded 28 lbs / 13 kg.
Skinnier tires seem to be more prone to flats. I haven't had a flat after I switched to 32 mm wide tires (from 23, 25 and 28 mm).
Could my good luck relate to the weight of my gear? I don't take a lot; I have carried as little as 18 lbs / 8 kg, and have never exceeded 28 lbs / 13 kg.
Skinnier tires seem to be more prone to flats. I haven't had a flat after I switched to 32 mm wide tires (from 23, 25 and 28 mm).
11-25-15, 07:06 PM
#53
aka Timi
planning for flat tires // self-adhesive vs conventional patches. And how many?
Someone mentioned it earlier on, but rolling up an opened tube really tight from the bottom, flattening it as you go, and screwing the cap on extra tight helps the drying out thang...
11-25-15, 07:12 PM
#54
Senior Member
This was modus operundi with any and all developer solutions in bottles, paper or film, as contact with air would have it deteriorate. Same with leaving developer in an open tray, putting another tray floating on top of the solution would eliminate most of its contact with air, older developer would be less effective and contrasty as when new so it was always in ones best interest to keep the solutions as good as you possibly could.
11-25-15, 07:20 PM
#55
aka Timi
planning for flat tires // self-adhesive vs conventional patches. And how many?
Be careful though, if you use too much force there's a risk that the tube will split, leaking glue all over... Eeeee yucky!!! 
11-25-15, 09:30 PM
#57
Senior Member
11-25-15, 09:37 PM
#58
Senior Member
At the moment, the plan is for a shakedown trip (my wife and I) in Iceland next June. Then, our tribe (i.e. us + 5 & 10 yo daughters) plans to ride Eurovelo 6 (July & August), although if we are doing well, ending in Istanbul rather than on the Black Sea ("self supported"). The next trip (we'll skip a Summer because the little one will not be so little anymore, but not tall enough to pedal long distances) should be transAmerica. After these two classics in developed countries, depending on the group dynamics, something more challenging -- either a long trek along the Andes, or some of the stans, or (but this is me speaking here) Kathmandu to Lhasa (but I think that there would be visa issues). You get the drift, I guess.
The first two (European) projects are well under way as far as planning goes. The transAmerica will probably be a mixture of crossing the continent by bike and renting cars for side trips to interesting places. I'd bet that this is no pipe dream. The treks are more iffy. Let's say 50% likelihood. The girls are terrific. Would be great if we could pull this off.
The first two (European) projects are well under way as far as planning goes. The transAmerica will probably be a mixture of crossing the continent by bike and renting cars for side trips to interesting places. I'd bet that this is no pipe dream. The treks are more iffy. Let's say 50% likelihood. The girls are terrific. Would be great if we could pull this off.
11-25-15, 09:44 PM
#59
bicycle tourist
Even when replacing a tire, I like to figure out what caused the flat.
11-25-15, 10:12 PM
#60
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I generally do well with the regular patches. I've had bad luck with the slime skabs. I haven't tried other brands.
I rarely patch in the field. I usually have a spare tube or two with me, and I guess I've gotten lazy. I've patched a few tubes lately, but generally get relatively few patches that it is almost easier just to replace the tubes. I think armored tires are finally catching up to demand.
The biggest issue with glue patches is that the glue tube periodically goes bad... when one is most needing it. I suppose I should consider more glueless patches for riding in the rain or snow, if they might work in adverse conditions.
I rarely patch in the field. I usually have a spare tube or two with me, and I guess I've gotten lazy. I've patched a few tubes lately, but generally get relatively few patches that it is almost easier just to replace the tubes. I think armored tires are finally catching up to demand.
The biggest issue with glue patches is that the glue tube periodically goes bad... when one is most needing it. I suppose I should consider more glueless patches for riding in the rain or snow, if they might work in adverse conditions.
11-30-15, 12:56 PM
#61
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11-30-15, 01:06 PM
#62
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I have to admit I've never had a self-adhesive patch fail, so I'm a bit surprised with all the folks that have. And I've used nothing but self-adhesive patches for years now. Of course, even over the last 10 years I haven't had very many flats, so maybe I've just been lucky. But still, it surprises me that so many have problems with them.
11-30-15, 02:31 PM
#63
Senior Member
I bought a large one just because it seemed that I had tons of patches but was nearing the end of unopened glue tubes....seemed such a waste to only buy another patch kit....
11-30-15, 02:33 PM
#64
Senior Member
I have to admit I've never had a self-adhesive patch fail, so I'm a bit surprised with all the folks that have. And I've used nothing but self-adhesive patches for years now. Of course, even over the last 10 years I haven't had very many flats, so maybe I've just been lucky. But still, it surprises me that so many have problems with them.
11-30-15, 04:33 PM
#65
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Last cross country tour (74 days, nearly 5000 miles), I carried 4 patches with glue, 2 self adhesive, and one tube. Last day of the tour, I got my first flat. Glue was dried out. This is the reason to carry self adhesive type. But then I was lazy and just threw in a new tube.
