Papa Tom

I've done a lot of riding over the past fifty years, but I can almost count the number of flat tires I've experienced on two hands. Despite this, during my years running a bicycle recycling program, I must have patched hundreds of tubes using all kinds of patch kits, including some of the major-brand versions.

About a year ago, on the recommendation of many BF members, I purchased my first Rema kit and tossed it in my tool bag. Today, on my way to work, I got one of my very rare flats and, thus, had my first opportunity to use this kit. I have to say that everything people have said about Rema patch kits is accurate. This was the first patch I have ever used that instantly took to the tube with no bubbles, no edges pulling away from the tube, and no frustrating unstoppable leaks. Within five minutes, the glue was tacky enough to apply the patch and after another five, the patch felt like part of the tube.

Never before have I been this confident in a patch, and I know it's not because I've gotten any better at patching! Of course, I don't know how long the now-open tube of cement will last or how long it will take for the remaining patches to dry out and become useless, but I have to say that I am really impressed with the performance of this kit right out of the box. I have no stake in Rema and have nothing to gain by hollering about them, but I just want to put my recommendation out there for anyone who has never been comfortable with the usual patch kits that are sold in department stores and in lots of bike shops.

dsbrantjr

It is awesome that you had such a good experience. A properly-applied patch actually does become part of the tube thanks to the vulcanizing fluid, which differs from plain rubber cement.
Your tube of vulcanizing fluid will last longer if you squeeze out all of the air before replacing the cap.

Bill Kapaun

+1
Don't be afraid to "waste" a drop or 2.
Nice thing about the feathered edge is you can overlap patches easily. Unlike "bricks".

Papa Tom

I should also put in a good word about my Topeak Mountain Morph frame pump, which performed very respectably during this little crisis. This was the Morph's first use ever and it did a good job pumping my Schwalbe Big Apple balloon tire up to just-shy-of 40psi with a moderate amount of effort.

zacster

I got tired of buying patch kits every few months. With 6 bikes actively used in my house I seemed to go through them really quickly. So instead I bought a box of 100 Rema patches. I wouldn't use anything else and I've been using them for at least 40 years. Now I have to buy the fluid in bulk too. I tried glueless patches and they never work.

The funny thing is I went through about 10 of them almost instantly, but to be fair I also went through my pile of old tubes and patched the ones that I could and threw out the rest.

My Topeak Road Morph G is a great pump. I also have a Peakini II for my commuter, but that doesn't work nearly as well. I get 100psi on the Road Morph no problem, maybe 60 on the Peakini. The Peakini seams to bend the presta stems on my tubes, or maybe it's just me.

Papa Tom

Luckily, I don't patch anywhere near enough tubes to have to buy the vulcanizing fluid in bulk. How long does the stuff last? I am concerned about whether to buy a new tube of fluid or to just wait and expect the current (opened) one to be OK when I get my next flat five years from now.

jbucky1

In the small tubes, it has a tenancy to dry up over a year or so . (If the seal is broken), check by giving it a squeeze.

jbucky
www.buckyrides.com

CO_Steve

I was in Walmart the other day and in the auto section where all the tire stuff is they had Slime brand patch kits which contained what looked exactly like Rema patches. Price was quite a bit lower as well.
Copy or the real deal?

zebede

It takes me about 3 to 5 years to go thru a can. Seal it tightly ( I snug the lid with pliers) and store it upside down.

jbucky1

I think its a copy, the Rema's are worth paying for, the taper is great.

james

www.buckyrides.com

Crankycrank

I've had more than one opened tube last 2 years or so before it was empty. Can't say about 5 years, that may be pushing it. But, as mentioned, as long as you squeeze any excess air out of the tube and seal it tightly it will last a long time. Maybe check on the fluid every 6 months to make sure it's not starting to thicken up.

AnkleWork

Did you compare the chemistry of the glue?

CO_Steve

No my mass spectrometer is out for calibration but I put some in a paper bag and it smelled ok to me.

AnkleWork

There's no other way, right?

Papa Tom

I never use this expression, but "LOL!"

speedevil 

So it passed the sniff test? Good one.

squirtdad

OP beware you have probably incurred the wrath of the flat tire demons by noting the rarity of you flats. carry extra kits

Papa Tom

I'm already carrying two spare tubes (one that now has a Rema patch on it) and a patch kit (with a tube of glue that's probably one foot in the grave now), so bring it on, baby.

dscheidt

The can I have in my bike tool box says I opened it in july of 2012. Sill good, as of a couple weeks ago.

BCDrums

Papa Tom

OK...STOP THE PRESSES! HOLD ON, everybody!

Original poster here, and I have to tell you that this weekend, I decided to use my Rema patch kit to patch a second tube that my wife had blown about a month ago. I followed the same procedure as the last time I REMA-patched and all seemed just great The patch adhered solidly and worked its way into the rubber, just as the earlier one had. I inflated it, checked it, and found no leaking at all..until this morning, when I found the tire completely flat.

I haven't investigated any further yet, but I have to say that I'm suddenly a little less gung ho about gushing all over this Rema patch kit now. More details later!

noglider 

You don't know how the patch failed. It's not fair to say it might be the patch kit's fault.

I have patched hundreds of tubes. Sometimes, patches fail. They fail at a lower rate with good patches and vulcanizing fluid. I've never used any better than Rema.

Papa Tom

You're right. I'm going out to investigate right now. I just didn't want to be "that guy" who enticed someone to go out and buy something that turned out to be not-so-good after all.

noglider 

I've never seen a claim that another brand is better than Rema, only that some are just as good.

Papa Tom

Hmmm...it seems that either I didn't make the glued surface large enough, or I was actually "off" by a little in my calculation of where to put the patch. It sucks that my eyes have gone really south this year. In any event, I just added a second patch, kind of piggy-backed, so I don't have a lot of confidence in it.

I will let it set and dip it in a bucket of water tomorrow. If there are no bubbles, I will consider Rema redeemed!