1000 miles on a patch with my "Lucky Tube"
08-24-19, 08:51 AM
#1
Chuggin' Along
Thread Starter
1000 miles on a patch with my "Lucky Tube"
Back in June I was doing a fifty mile ride, and I of course got a flat. I found the cause right away, and of all things: it was a spring from a clothespin which was right in the middle of the tire. I had a choice of replacing the tube, or patching it. The patch seemed like a good idea because I didn't have to dismount the wheel, or the tire completely.
There was a 250 mile charity ride coming up, so I thought I should perhaps replace the tube prior to that. I did a few more rides, and the patch seemed to be holding up just fine, so I just kept that tube on the bike. It's been fine ever since, and I just added the miles to a little over 1k since the patch. If the puncture was a snakebite, I would not have kept it on there at all as long as I had a tube with me.
There was a 250 mile charity ride coming up, so I thought I should perhaps replace the tube prior to that. I did a few more rides, and the patch seemed to be holding up just fine, so I just kept that tube on the bike. It's been fine ever since, and I just added the miles to a little over 1k since the patch. If the puncture was a snakebite, I would not have kept it on there at all as long as I had a tube with me.
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Note to self:
If a road has the word "Hill" included in it's name, it might not be a good idea to try it.
Note to self:
If a road has the word "Hill" included in it's name, it might not be a good idea to try it.
08-24-19, 09:18 AM
#2
working on my sandal tan
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Nice work. 
The vast majority of my riding is on patched tubes, since they’re as good and dependable as new when it’s done right. I don’t think any bike in my stable has two virgin tubes in it.
The vast majority of my riding is on patched tubes, since they’re as good and dependable as new when it’s done right. I don’t think any bike in my stable has two virgin tubes in it.
08-24-19, 09:42 AM
#3
smelling the roses
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My lucky tube blew up in my face yesterday. I reached both hands down to tighten the valve (the bike was upside down), and BLAM. I noted that the 26" Michelin tire appears to be too big for the 26" rim it's been mounted on for years. 3 patches on that one.
No hijack intended; just stream of thought.
Kudos on you good fortune.
No hijack intended; just stream of thought.
Kudos on you good fortune.
Last edited by seedsbelize; 08-24-19 at 09:47 AM.
08-24-19, 10:13 AM
#4
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A well patched tube should be fine... until you get tired of patching holes.
The bigger issue is whether the hole in the tire is bad enough that the tube will poke back through, and that will be a judgement call by you.
The bigger issue is whether the hole in the tire is bad enough that the tube will poke back through, and that will be a judgement call by you.
08-24-19, 11:55 AM
#5
Senior Member
A patched tube is just as good as a new one. All my tubes have one ore more patches and they hold up just fine. Just use real patches, not the self adhering ones.
