Witterings

I have a very slow leak after using a Skabs patch and now have to top the tyre up once a week when I used to be once every 3 / 4 weeks ... has anyone else had similar and bar buying a new inner tube any ideas on a fix?

I doubt they'd peel off easily and may end up doing more damage to the tube in the process so was thinking I might put a glued patch over the top of it unless anybody has any other better solutions.

Ogsarg

Have you submerged the tube to see if the leak is actually where the patch is? If it is, I'd probably just get another tube. I don't mind filling tires once a week but chances are if that patch is leaking, there's a good chance it will get worse.

5teve

Pre-glued patches are generally unreliable. I don't use them anymore.

indyfabz

^^^This^^^

/thread

BlazingPedals

Find the leak, patch the leak. If you can't patch the leak because it's where the Skab is and you can't get it off, then get a new tube and don't use Skabs anymore.

If I only had to air my tires up once a week, I'd be completely happy with that. I lose about 10 psi per day with butyl tubes.

fietsbob

Then you take the time to do a proper patch job..



Yea just bring a spare tube, which can be the one you patched properly,
the last time you got a puncture..

jimincalif

I carry skabs in my saddle bag, I did use one after I'd already punctured two tubes. It got me home but I changed out the tube when I got home. I assume they are for temp purposes only, but it sure was nice to have when I needed it.

spelger

Fastfingaz

I Never use them preglued patches, don't know if they're good or not,,,, I do my own glueing,,,,,,, carry extra inner tube do your patching later,,

Hoopdriver

I recently repaired a tube for a friend that used a Skab patch unsuccessfully. The patch left a residue that confounded a real repair, but acetone took care of it. Now it's well patched with Rema TipTop. This was my first experience with Skabs and I am definitely not impressed.

Rootman

I guess I'm just lazy old man. I simple replace the tube. The first thing I do when buying a bike with a different tube size is buy 4-6 quality tubes and store them at home keeping one in my trunk pack on the bike. If I get a flat I simply change the tube. I carry a patch kit but have never used it. In the event I get 2 flats on a ride I will have it to use it. I'm a fan of long slow rides and unfortunately can't rely on anyone to rescue me, and rideshares are not around most of my area. So I need to make reasonably sure I can keep my tires aired up.

bogydave

+1

If I get motivated,
I repair it at home with a glue patch.

Andrew R Stewart 

Know good spare tubes are my first line of flat repair. The patch kit (glue type) is the back up. I save my flatted tubes and hold a patching party in the winter. Andy

Metieval

skabs are simply to get you home in a pinch.

way back when when glue was real I had no problems riding patched tubes.

but the "Politically correct" safe glue that now comes in patches is almost as worthless as scabs. It was much better when we could Light the glue on fire and vulcanize our patches on.

Witterings

No I haven't submerged it yet but realise I need to and will do so over the weekend ... although the leak has been so slow I wondered if I'd notice it or not even submerged in water but will find out over the weekend.

I've always been a believer in just gluing on a patch and have done loads of them but when I was in the bike shop thought I may as well try some and the last ride was quite a long one when I knew others wanted to get back as they were going out for the evening.
It's the 1st time I've ever tried a pre glued rather than the conventional and one of the other riders had 4 flats in a very short period of time and he used the same and has had trouble free repairs so thought I may as well try them.

I do carry a spare tube as well but they never fold back as small as when they're new so tend to carry it in case I get a an un-repairable rip.

CO_Steve

Me too. Back in my commuting days I'd always patch the tube on the road unless I had to use the spare one. Of course when you ride every day that leads to the tube with 35 patches.

Shimagnolo

Self-adhesive patches are a temporary fix to get you home, regardless of the mfgr's claims otherwise.
For a permanent fix, use Rema patches and Rema vulcanizing fluid.

Witterings

I was getting absolutely loads and then changed to puncture protected tyres and they stopped,

I've only recently swapped the tyres again as I was doing a long ish road charity ride and wanted more road friendly but will probably swap them back again fairly soon as I'd rather that bit slower and no punctures especially during the winter..... although I have enjoyed the faster rolling,smoother and quieter road tyre.

MikeyMK

I take the time to do a good repair because it's a real pita to take a wheel off. I don't carry the tools to do so.

veganbikes

Pumping once a week seems like a reasonable amount of time, that is what I typically tell my customers that they will pump around once a week.

I hate patches generally so I just replace the tube generally and occasionally do a proper glue and patch job once I get home.

Ironfish653

Wileyrat

I've had bad luck with Skabs, but I've found Park Super Patches work about as well as a glued on patch.

Witterings

I did submerge it and there is the tiniest of leaks ... although you struggle to get actually a bubble out of it so guess that's why it lasts a week.

The punctures right on the seam which sometimes makes it hard to get a perfect seal, I may mess around and see if I can either peel this one off or put another patch over the top but I'll probably just replace the tube and stick to gluing them in the future.

mightymax

I have discovered this about Skab patches. They are not a permanent repair, at least for me. Each time I have used Skabs, I assumed the tube was fixed. Always after several days the tires were still solid. Then seemingly suddenly the tire is flat! Upon pulling the tube to see where the new puncture is. it always comes back to the Skab now leaking slowly.
I always like to go with a new tube. I have at least a dozen punctured tubes waiting for me to get the skill and or right product to produce a tube that stays fixed.
When I was a kid we did not have a lot of money. When my Dad fixed my flats he used a vulcanizing patch. He would patch the puncture and then take a match and light the patch on fire! The fire would go all around the patch and then my Dad plunged it into a bucket of water. That sucker was fixed and stayed fixed! I had inner tubes with sometimes up to six patches on them! I wish they still had patches like these.

Max Bryant