Does Anyone Patch Tubes Anymore?
#28
Junior Member
Or you could just go and buy some actual patches - they're not expensive
I always patch my tubes - once they're up to 3-4 patches, it's time to retire them. I avoid "patch kits" - the little tubes of glue inevitably dry out once they're unsealed, and you're stuck without glue the next time you need it. I usually experience 1-2 flats/year, so I don't patch often. I bought a selection of patches and a ~100ml tin of "Slime" rubber cement ~5 years ago (Amazon IIRC - ~$6), with a proper screw-down lid, so it doesn't dry out. Based on how it has lasted up to now, I suspect that this will last me the rest of my life.
I always patch my tubes - once they're up to 3-4 patches, it's time to retire them. I avoid "patch kits" - the little tubes of glue inevitably dry out once they're unsealed, and you're stuck without glue the next time you need it. I usually experience 1-2 flats/year, so I don't patch often. I bought a selection of patches and a ~100ml tin of "Slime" rubber cement ~5 years ago (Amazon IIRC - ~$6), with a proper screw-down lid, so it doesn't dry out. Based on how it has lasted up to now, I suspect that this will last me the rest of my life.
#29
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I have been saving up my old tubes to ship to one of you who patch; I am at 3 so far. Sorry, choddo, you are too far.
#30
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I have been saving up my old tubes to ship to one of you who patch; I am at 3 so far. Sorry, choddo, you are too far.
Just saying
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#31
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1. The website does not provide any information whether my local REI or Trek dealer is participating.
2. Even assuming yes to #1, it seems more environmentally friendly for another BF member to patch and use my tubes than for Alchemy Goods to turn them into something else altogether.
#32
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If I flatted often, I'd patch. But since I don't flat very often, I'm lacking the skill to do it well. And the glue is usually dried up from that first time I opened it up. So a big waste to me.
Besides, I find too many uses for the old inner tubes. Cut them up into strips and they are good to use as ties to go around open partially used bags of fertilizer and other bags. Or even to wrap around cabinets I build and glue up instead of having to have a couple dozen more expensive cabinet clamps. Once you get use to using them for other things, you'll find all sorts of stuff to do with them.
Besides, I find too many uses for the old inner tubes. Cut them up into strips and they are good to use as ties to go around open partially used bags of fertilizer and other bags. Or even to wrap around cabinets I build and glue up instead of having to have a couple dozen more expensive cabinet clamps. Once you get use to using them for other things, you'll find all sorts of stuff to do with them.
#33
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i patch, but as noted I only use Rema patch kits....I have tried other kits and the peel and stick patches and nothing works as well
IMHO silly economy to try anything else like contact cement and bits of rubber
I also have had better luck with quality tubes than cheapies
FWIW I carry 2 tubes, patch kit, co2 and a pump.
IMHO silly economy to try anything else like contact cement and bits of rubber
I also have had better luck with quality tubes than cheapies
FWIW I carry 2 tubes, patch kit, co2 and a pump.
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#34
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In most cases, yes. The charity shop where I volunteer is part of an urban farm. We don't have a budget for new tubes (we rely totally on donations), so we patch tubes whenever possible. When it is not possible, we send the derelict tubes to the farm, where they use them to provide support for various crops, e.g. branches on fruit trees, etc.
#35
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No problem, and thanks for the suggestion, but:
1. The website does not provide any information whether my local REI or Trek dealer is participating.
2. Even assuming yes to #1, it seems more environmentally friendly for another BF member to patch and use my tubes than for Alchemy Goods to turn them into something else altogether.
1. The website does not provide any information whether my local REI or Trek dealer is participating.
2. Even assuming yes to #1, it seems more environmentally friendly for another BF member to patch and use my tubes than for Alchemy Goods to turn them into something else altogether.
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#36
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Bought a 100-pack of Tip Top patches and a can of Patching cement (with handy brush).
I fix all the tubes I can, but there are always some failures that can't be patched and others that just accumulate too many of them.
Tubes cost a lot more lately so the incentive is certainly there.
I fix all the tubes I can, but there are always some failures that can't be patched and others that just accumulate too many of them.
Tubes cost a lot more lately so the incentive is certainly there.
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#37
Newbie
I don’t. I don’t trust the patch, and once I’ve put a spare tube in to ride home, I’m not patching a tube and reinstalling it—lazy I guess. Fortunately I have pretty good luck avoiding flats or it would get expensive.
#38
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I buy a can of Rema vulcanizing fluid and pour it into a small glass vial. I put into the calendar to check the state of the fluid every 6 months. If necessary, I add a solvent. The Rema fluid is usable for about 4 years. Incidentally, I may use it outside of patching, e.g., to glue back together slices of a grip shortened for a handlebar configuration that gets changed. The handlebar rubber is very porous and holds like it was never cut after gluing.
#40
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Sure do. Rema patches. And reuse the patched tunes with a new tire unless there are too many patches and I have a new tube the correct size.
#41
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I have been saving up my old tubes to ship to one of you who patch; I am at 3 so far. Sorry, choddo, you are too far.
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Schwalbe has a recycling program that seems to have been in operation since 2015. The problem is that they don’t offer any information on recycling locations. I may have to get my co-ops involved.
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I doubt that Schwalbe would patch the tubes for reuse by cyclists; too much liability. So recycling through Schwalbe may only make sense if it allows Schwalbe to reduce the overall energy or raw material used to make a certain number of new tubes or tires. May still be more environmentally friendly for me just to ship my old tubes to another BF member who knows how to patch.
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#44
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#45
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If I flatted often, I'd patch. But since I don't flat very often, I'm lacking the skill to do it well. And the glue is usually dried up from that first time I opened it up. So a big waste to me.
Besides, I find too many uses for the old inner tubes. Cut them up into strips and they are good to use as ties to go around open partially used bags of fertilizer and other bags. Or even to wrap around cabinets I build and glue up instead of having to have a couple dozen more expensive cabinet clamps. Once you get use to using them for other things, you'll find all sorts of stuff to do with them.
Besides, I find too many uses for the old inner tubes. Cut them up into strips and they are good to use as ties to go around open partially used bags of fertilizer and other bags. Or even to wrap around cabinets I build and glue up instead of having to have a couple dozen more expensive cabinet clamps. Once you get use to using them for other things, you'll find all sorts of stuff to do with them.
In the early '70's, a friend of mine wanted to figure out how to get his motorcycle to a repair shop 5 miles away without having to pay to get it towed and asked me if I had any ideas. I strung a series of inner tubes and tubular tires from my little Volvo's rear bumper to the handlebar stem on his motorcycle, and off we went, with him sitting on his bike and grinning all the way.
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#47
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i patch, but as noted I only use Rema patch kits....I have tried other kits and the peel and stick patches and nothing works as well
IMHO silly economy to try anything else like contact cement and bits of rubber
I also have had better luck with quality tubes than cheapies
FWIW I carry 2 tubes, patch kit, co2 and a pump.
IMHO silly economy to try anything else like contact cement and bits of rubber
I also have had better luck with quality tubes than cheapies
FWIW I carry 2 tubes, patch kit, co2 and a pump.
but I have had cases where I used both spares and then had to patch. I never used to use C02....but pumping a tire and then having to repump after the valve failed on a 105 day lead me to Co2
I also carry spare valves and valve tool
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(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
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#48
Really Old Senior Member
Pump the tire up about 20-30 PSI to check bead seating etc. If good, add about 10 more if the pump is still up to it and then hit it with the cartridge. On paper, that should be about right if not a tic low. Plenty good enough to get home on my skinny tires.
I haven't had a flat on that bike to find out how well theory works.
#49
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THE CONTENTlease only collect used butyl bicycle inner tubes in the package!
All brands are allowed!
Attention! Please do not return tubes filled with Sealant of any variety! The Sealant leaks out and soaks the boxes during transport.
All brands are allowed!
Attention! Please do not return tubes filled with Sealant of any variety! The Sealant leaks out and soaks the boxes during transport.
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Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
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