Do you put patched tubes back in your saddlebag?
#126
Junior Member
When a patch works its way loose at any time that means you prepared the tube wrong, I've never had either a glue on or a glueless patch eventually work loose...well, as long as the glueless patch was a Park, I used a few other brands, even the well known Lezyne, those don't stick for more than a few hours, but the Park brand will stick for the life of the tube.
#127
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: NE Indiana
Posts: 9,180
Bikes: 2020 Masi Giramondo 700c; 2013 Lynskey Peloton; 1992 Giant Rincon; 1989 Dawes needs parts; 1985 Trek 660; 1985 Fuji Club; 1984 Schwinn Voyager; 1984 Miyata 612; 1977 Raleigh Competition GS
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1110 Post(s)
Liked 242 Times
in
195 Posts
Patches are way cheaper than a new tube, most people use the excuse of not fixing a tube and replacing it instead is because they simply do not know how to fix a tube and refuse to admit it, so they act all cool like and say they just replace the tube; except it's better for the environment to repair the tube than to keep throwing away tubes.
#128
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Michigan
Posts: 3,692
Bikes: Trek 730 (quad), 720 & 830, Bike Friday NWT, Brompton M36R & M6R, Dahon HAT060 & HT060, ...
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 834 Post(s)
Liked 332 Times
in
247 Posts
A new tube in your case only lasts until the first puncture, then for you that tube's life came to end, my tube's life doesn't end there, I will patch, and patch and patch, the only reason I will toss a tube is if a leak is in an area that can't be repaired like around the stem, or the valve stem fails, or a seam splits, or the tube is getting too old which takes about 7 to 10 years, and during that time period I've had as many as 13 patches on a tube, still working fine till the Presta valve failed.
#129
Junior Member
A new tube in your case only lasts until the first puncture, then for you that tube's life came to end, my tube's life doesn't end there, I will patch, and patch and patch, the only reason I will toss a tube is if a leak is in an area that can't be repaired like around the stem, or the valve stem fails, or a seam splits, or the tube is getting too old which takes about 7 to 10 years, and during that time period I've had as many as 13 patches on a tube, still working fine till the Presta valve failed.
Patches are way cheaper than a new tube, most people use the excuse of not fixing a tube and replacing it instead is because they simply do not know how to fix a tube and refuse to admit it, so they act all cool like and say they just replace the tube; except it's better for the environment to repair the tube than to keep throwing away tubes.
Patches are way cheaper than a new tube, most people use the excuse of not fixing a tube and replacing it instead is because they simply do not know how to fix a tube and refuse to admit it, so they act all cool like and say they just replace the tube; except it's better for the environment to repair the tube than to keep throwing away tubes.
#130
Mad bike riding scientist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 27,274
Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones
Mentioned: 150 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6147 Post(s)
Liked 4,091 Times
in
2,325 Posts
I can remove a wheel, tube, replace, and inflate in under 2 mins most times. The time to properly patch a tube takes considerably longer—at least for my mid ride fumbling body. Note, i also use co2 inflators and i’m sure a pump is better for the environment too. For me, it comes down to cost efficiency. Also, when it’s near zero degrees (Or cooler), seconds spent fixing a flat matter a lot. So, I’d rather “spend” my time riding than patching or pumping.
I’m not saying you’re wrong, just different. 13 patches is impressive though. Kudos!
__________________
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!
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!
#133
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: northern Deep South
Posts: 8,842
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2575 Post(s)
Liked 1,900 Times
in
1,192 Posts
I can remove a wheel, tube, replace, and inflate in under 2 mins most times. The time to properly patch a tube takes considerably longer—at least for my mid ride fumbling body. Note, i also use co2 inflators and i’m sure a pump is better for the environment too. For me, it comes down to cost efficiency. Also, when it’s near zero degrees (Or cooler), seconds spent fixing a flat matter a lot. So, I’d rather “spend” my time riding than patching or pumping. I’m not saying you’re wrong, just different. 13 patches is impressive though. Kudos!
A dozen patches is pretty good. I don't remember my record, but from my recent holiday flat-fixing session, I'd guess I'm riding tubes that average 5-10 patches each.
#134
Junior Member
Most people carry a spare tube and patch later. Seldom have I had to actually patch on the road. It happens but just not all that often. Most of my flats I discover when I take the bike off the hook in the garage.
Piffle! 13 patches is a tube that barely ready for a mid-life crisis. I have a half dozen with 5 to 10 patches that I consider to be new. I have a couple that are dragging 20, perhaps 30.
Piffle! 13 patches is a tube that barely ready for a mid-life crisis. I have a half dozen with 5 to 10 patches that I consider to be new. I have a couple that are dragging 20, perhaps 30.
#135
Junior Member
Either you have much thicker tires than I ride, or your roads are much, much better maintained. (Unless you're counting repairs as part of tube life.)
Takes me about 5 minutes to replace a tube. I usually quote 15 minutes to fix a flat, because it almost always takes me a lot longer to find what caused the flat and remove the glass shard, wire, etc. Patching the tube doesn't take any riding time, because I save up flatted tubes and fix them when it's too cold, rainy, etc. to ride.
A dozen patches is pretty good. I don't remember my record, but from my recent holiday flat-fixing session, I'd guess I'm riding tubes that average 5-10 patches each.
Takes me about 5 minutes to replace a tube. I usually quote 15 minutes to fix a flat, because it almost always takes me a lot longer to find what caused the flat and remove the glass shard, wire, etc. Patching the tube doesn't take any riding time, because I save up flatted tubes and fix them when it's too cold, rainy, etc. to ride.
A dozen patches is pretty good. I don't remember my record, but from my recent holiday flat-fixing session, I'd guess I'm riding tubes that average 5-10 patches each.
#136
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Michigan
Posts: 3,692
Bikes: Trek 730 (quad), 720 & 830, Bike Friday NWT, Brompton M36R & M6R, Dahon HAT060 & HT060, ...
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 834 Post(s)
Liked 332 Times
in
247 Posts
I ride pretty rough terrain, but I also ride only tough, reinforced tires. Continental tires have lasted for me 7-8k miles and Schwalbe about 4k. I never wore out any winter tire. I say that my tubes might live longer than tires as this is the statistics of small numbers. A tube cycles per year through a summer, late fall/early spring and winter tire. On the buying end, I presumably bought more tires over time than tubes, but on the disposal end they may be about equal. Even after something comes off the bikes, it goes into some buffer zone where it is used as a raw material for projects .
#137
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: NE Indiana
Posts: 9,180
Bikes: 2020 Masi Giramondo 700c; 2013 Lynskey Peloton; 1992 Giant Rincon; 1989 Dawes needs parts; 1985 Trek 660; 1985 Fuji Club; 1984 Schwinn Voyager; 1984 Miyata 612; 1977 Raleigh Competition GS
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1110 Post(s)
Liked 242 Times
in
195 Posts
Heck yeah, I'll go through at least 2 sets of tires before a tube is remotely considered to be replaced. I don't even buy cassettes and chains that often, my chains last an average of 10,000 miles and the cassette will last 3 times longer than the chain. My touring bike is supposed to go through chains faster, but I have about 1,500 miles of loaded riding on it and so far it's showing no wear on my chain checker, and supposedly on loaded riding they get about 3 to 4 thousand miles on a chain, I'm waiting to see on that one.
#138
Mad bike riding scientist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 27,274
Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones
Mentioned: 150 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6147 Post(s)
Liked 4,091 Times
in
2,325 Posts
except when you’re on the road with debris, glass, wire, etc stuck in the tire that’s easiest/quickest time to identify/patch the hole. I carry a patch kit specifically for the times that i get more flats than spare tubes—doesn’t happen often, may be twice in a life time but it beats calling for help. Once i get home, it might take 10-15 mins to Identify the hole and properly patch a spent tube. Saving myself $2 for 10 mins isn’t worth it to me. Besides, the patched tube will always make for a funky ride.
As I stated a while ago, I have yet to find these mythic $2 tubes.
__________________
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!
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!
#139
Junior Member
I’m not sure what point you are trying to make. I check for what was making the puncture before I put the replacement tube back in. Not doing so is a rookie mistake. I even mark my tubes beforehand with an arrow to indicate rotation direction so that whatever caused the puncture is easier to find.
As I stated a while ago, I have yet to find these mythic $2 tubes.
As I stated a while ago, I have yet to find these mythic $2 tubes.
BTW, i did a quick search for you. walmart, amazon, chainreactioncycles, and merlincycles all carry tubes less than $3. Walmart has a 700c tube for $1.96 with free shipping. myth that? ;-)
#140
Mad bike riding scientist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 27,274
Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones
Mentioned: 150 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6147 Post(s)
Liked 4,091 Times
in
2,325 Posts
except when you’re on the road with debris, glass, wire, etc stuck in the tire that’s easiest/quickest time to identify/patch the hole.
I don’t see your point about not carrying patched tubes either. Your whole “I can feel the patch” is a level of sensitivity that is beyond most peoples’ abilities to detect.
BTW, i did a quick search for you. walmart, amazon, chainreactioncycles, and merlincycles all carry tubes less than $3. Walmart has a 700c tube for $1.96 with free shipping. myth that? ;-)
You have more unicorns for hunting?
__________________
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!
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!
#141
Junior Member
I was referring to this
I just don’t see your point in the above quote.
I don’t see your point about not carrying patched tubes either. Your whole “I can feel the patch” is a level of sensitivity that is beyond most peoples’ abilities to detect.
Well, HelMart doesn’t sell them for less than $3 with free shipping. They are currently on sale for about $2 but you have to buy two and pay $6 in shipping. That not “$2 each”. Shipping needs to be included which makes for $4 tube. Amazon doesn’t list a less than $7 for a 700C presta tube with free shipping. Chain Reaction sells a $3 tube with $16 shipping. That’s a $19 tube. Merlin Cycles sells a $3.50 tube but charges $28 for shipping. That’s a $31 tube.
You have more unicorns for hunting?
I just don’t see your point in the above quote.
I don’t see your point about not carrying patched tubes either. Your whole “I can feel the patch” is a level of sensitivity that is beyond most peoples’ abilities to detect.
Well, HelMart doesn’t sell them for less than $3 with free shipping. They are currently on sale for about $2 but you have to buy two and pay $6 in shipping. That not “$2 each”. Shipping needs to be included which makes for $4 tube. Amazon doesn’t list a less than $7 for a 700C presta tube with free shipping. Chain Reaction sells a $3 tube with $16 shipping. That’s a $19 tube. Merlin Cycles sells a $3.50 tube but charges $28 for shipping. That’s a $31 tube.
You have more unicorns for hunting?
#142
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: NE Indiana
Posts: 9,180
Bikes: 2020 Masi Giramondo 700c; 2013 Lynskey Peloton; 1992 Giant Rincon; 1989 Dawes needs parts; 1985 Trek 660; 1985 Fuji Club; 1984 Schwinn Voyager; 1984 Miyata 612; 1977 Raleigh Competition GS
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1110 Post(s)
Liked 242 Times
in
195 Posts
except when you’re on the road with debris, glass, wire, etc stuck in the tire that’s easiest/quickest time to identify/patch the hole. I carry a patch kit specifically for the times that i get more flats than spare tubes—doesn’t happen often, may be twice in a life time but it beats calling for help. Once i get home, it might take 10-15 mins to Identify the hole and properly patch a spent tube. Saving myself $2 for 10 mins isn’t worth it to me. Besides, the patched tube will always make for a funky ride.
Personally, I think those $2 tubes are giving you a funky ride!
#143
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: NE Indiana
Posts: 9,180
Bikes: 2020 Masi Giramondo 700c; 2013 Lynskey Peloton; 1992 Giant Rincon; 1989 Dawes needs parts; 1985 Trek 660; 1985 Fuji Club; 1984 Schwinn Voyager; 1984 Miyata 612; 1977 Raleigh Competition GS
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1110 Post(s)
Liked 242 Times
in
195 Posts
I’m not sure what point you are trying to make. I check for what was making the puncture before I put the replacement tube back in. Not doing so is a rookie mistake. I even mark my tubes beforehand with an arrow to indicate rotation direction so that whatever caused the puncture is easier to find.
As I stated a while ago, I have yet to find these mythic $2 tubes.
As I stated a while ago, I have yet to find these mythic $2 tubes.
The other weird thing I do that some old guy taught me when I was a KID! it's been maybe 55 years ago this guy showed me this trick and I use it a lot. I hardly ever have to remove the wheel from the bike to fix a flat, I simply find the leak on the tire, then remove half of one side of the tire with the hole in the center of the half, then pull out about a fourth of the tube with the hole in the center of that fourth, patch reinstall and go. If the hole is real small and you can't find it after you pulled out the section of tube, or locating it from the tire isn't possible then I have to remove the wheel and do the normal way. This can work with steel beaded tires but the tire needs to be pretty sloppy, if it's a tight fitting wire beaded tire you can't do this method.
#144
Junior Member
Do you actually ride a bike? I ask because first you mention $2 tubes, now this nonsense about the patches making for a funky ride, nether Rema or Park glueless patches you cannot feel while riding if on a tube. I've ridden on both for many years, even back in the day when 20c tires were all the rage with 120 psi in the tires, and I used Rema patches. Now maybe if you are riding on superthin track tires you might feel them, but even when I was using silk tubulars for racing I never felt the patches. The Park patches are actually thinner than the Rema patches, so I doubt you could feel the Parks in a track tire, not sure about the Rema on a track tire, but I doubt it.
Personally, I think those $2 tubes are giving you a funky ride!
Personally, I think those $2 tubes are giving you a funky ride!
I have to admit that it’s been years since i’ve ridden a patched tube very far. I quit riding patched tubes long, long ago. i was riding tubs when i realized how funky a patched tube felt and i did some time track time.
i have in fact found tubes for $2 something recently enough that i quit worrying about the cost of a tube. A co2 inflator usually costs me more than a cheap, spare tube. Does that give me the best possible ride? Absolutely not, but it’s how i roll.
When i mount new tires, i put on new, light weight tubes or reuse the old ones (If it’s a cheapo, back in the kit). After the first flat, i run the cheapo tube until i replace the tire.
I don’t flat often and i prefer cheap, new tubes in my kit. First, they might sit there for a long time. Second, they often end up on someone else’s wheel: stranger need help or friend too. I prefer giving away cheap, new tubes.
#145
Senior Member
#146
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: NE Indiana
Posts: 9,180
Bikes: 2020 Masi Giramondo 700c; 2013 Lynskey Peloton; 1992 Giant Rincon; 1989 Dawes needs parts; 1985 Trek 660; 1985 Fuji Club; 1984 Schwinn Voyager; 1984 Miyata 612; 1977 Raleigh Competition GS
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1110 Post(s)
Liked 242 Times
in
195 Posts
funny. I honestly don’t think we’re that far apart.
I have to admit that it’s been years since i’ve ridden a patched tube very far. I quit riding patched tubes long, long ago. i was riding tubs when i realized how funky a patched tube felt and i did some time track time.
i have in fact found tubes for $2 something recently enough that i quit worrying about the cost of a tube. A co2 inflator usually costs me more than a cheap, spare tube. Does that give me the best possible ride? Absolutely not, but it’s how i roll.
When i mount new tires, i put on new, light weight tubes or reuse the old ones (If it’s a cheapo, back in the kit). After the first flat, i run the cheapo tube until i replace the tire.
I don’t flat often and i prefer cheap, new tubes in my kit. First, they might sit there for a long time. Second, they often end up on someone else’s wheel: stranger need help or friend too. I prefer giving away cheap, new tubes.
I have to admit that it’s been years since i’ve ridden a patched tube very far. I quit riding patched tubes long, long ago. i was riding tubs when i realized how funky a patched tube felt and i did some time track time.
i have in fact found tubes for $2 something recently enough that i quit worrying about the cost of a tube. A co2 inflator usually costs me more than a cheap, spare tube. Does that give me the best possible ride? Absolutely not, but it’s how i roll.
When i mount new tires, i put on new, light weight tubes or reuse the old ones (If it’s a cheapo, back in the kit). After the first flat, i run the cheapo tube until i replace the tire.
I don’t flat often and i prefer cheap, new tubes in my kit. First, they might sit there for a long time. Second, they often end up on someone else’s wheel: stranger need help or friend too. I prefer giving away cheap, new tubes.
We all know that having a lighter wheel makes the rolling resentence less, in fact going with lighter tires and tubes is the cheapest way to get that, so if you want that for your bike then go lighter, if none of that matters other than buying cheap tubes and cheap tires then do the cheap tires and tubes thing. Don't let a bunch of cycling morons discredit your opinion if that's how you want to run.
#147
BMX Connoisseur
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Canada
Posts: 774
Bikes: 1988 Kuwahara Newport, 1983 Nishiki, 1984 Diamond Back Viper, 1991 Dyno Compe
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 399 Post(s)
Liked 108 Times
in
69 Posts
No I put a new tube in. For me the $4 in savings isn't worth the peace of mind knowing that the new tube won't still have a slow leak, or can't handle the high pressure I put in my tires. When I was a teenager I probably wasn't doing it right but I had a couple patches let go on long rides.
#148
Junior Member
There is no such thing as a $2 lightweight tube unless you think 120 plus grams is lightweight. Yes, I know that Walmart and Amazon sells the Bell brand of tubes for $2, but they weigh 160 grams! My tubes weigh 75 grams but they cost $11 each though I get mine on sale for 4 for $33. Why do the Bell weigh 160 grams? obviously, they're thicker, but their wall thickness is not consistent like more expensive tubes thus they had to make the wall thicker to make up for thin spots.
We all know that having a lighter wheel makes the rolling resentence less, in fact going with lighter tires and tubes is the cheapest way to get that, so if you want that for your bike then go lighter, if none of that matters other than buying cheap tubes and cheap tires then do the cheap tires and tubes thing. Don't let a bunch of cycling morons discredit your opinion if that's how you want to run.
We all know that having a lighter wheel makes the rolling resentence less, in fact going with lighter tires and tubes is the cheapest way to get that, so if you want that for your bike then go lighter, if none of that matters other than buying cheap tubes and cheap tires then do the cheap tires and tubes thing. Don't let a bunch of cycling morons discredit your opinion if that's how you want to run.
#149
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: NE Indiana
Posts: 9,180
Bikes: 2020 Masi Giramondo 700c; 2013 Lynskey Peloton; 1992 Giant Rincon; 1989 Dawes needs parts; 1985 Trek 660; 1985 Fuji Club; 1984 Schwinn Voyager; 1984 Miyata 612; 1977 Raleigh Competition GS
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1110 Post(s)
Liked 242 Times
in
195 Posts
agreed. I don’t think i ever said $2 tubes are lightweight. If so, my bad. I also mostly agree with you about rolling resistance/rotational inertia. I’m simply saying that i carry new, cheap tubes in my kits, not patched or otherwise lighter, more expensive tubes. I did the same in my road/track racing days: high quality tubs on my wheels, cheaper/heavier tubs under the saddle for limping home.
#150
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: NE Indiana
Posts: 9,180
Bikes: 2020 Masi Giramondo 700c; 2013 Lynskey Peloton; 1992 Giant Rincon; 1989 Dawes needs parts; 1985 Trek 660; 1985 Fuji Club; 1984 Schwinn Voyager; 1984 Miyata 612; 1977 Raleigh Competition GS
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1110 Post(s)
Liked 242 Times
in
195 Posts
No I put a new tube in. For me the $4 in savings isn't worth the peace of mind knowing that the new tube won't still have a slow leak, or can't handle the high pressure I put in my tires. When I was a teenager I probably wasn't doing it right but I had a couple patches let go on long rides.