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On the go repair of tire flats

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On the go repair of tire flats

Old 08-21-21, 12:02 PM
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oleg232000
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On the go repair of tire flats

So my gatorskin finally got a puncture after 1200 miles of rough roads. Pulled over and tried to repair it, but my self adhesive patches didnt stick for *****, and thus i was out of luck. Can anyone recommend a kit that actually works? Should I be using a tubed glue instead of the self adhesive patches?

Also, I just discovered sealant filled tubes (yes laugh if you must). Do these work? Are they worth the investment? I was looking at the Slime brand. Just bought the sealant alone to experiment with.

Thanks
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Old 08-21-21, 12:04 PM
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I carry 3 to 5 spare tubes. Always patch at home.
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Old 08-21-21, 01:23 PM
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I have the small, Park patch kits. Patched two tubes, neither held. Do you peel off the clear plastic film over the patch, or just leave it? I did it both ways, neither held air...
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Old 08-21-21, 01:33 PM
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Looks like you got your moneys worth out of that Gator Skin. I carry around a cheap little patch kit that has an unopened 5 gram tube of vulcanizing cement. In that little box I also put in a razor blade, tooth pick, some alcohol wipes, and an unopened tube of Super Glue in-case the vulcanizing cement dries out. I gave up on the stick on patches long ago. Some people use them, but I have never been able to get mine to work.
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Old 08-21-21, 02:32 PM
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Originally Posted by 10 Wheels
I carry 3 to 5 spare tubes. Always patch at home.
This. Plan B is self-adhesive patch.

But did you rough up the tube before applying the patch?
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Old 08-21-21, 03:30 PM
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The Park Self adhesive Quick Patches work well. The Chinese cheapies still work but you have to be very careful sanding down the entire area you want the patch to stick on. The Park patches aren't quite so picky.
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Old 08-21-21, 03:35 PM
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Originally Posted by zandoval
Looks like you got your moneys worth out of that Gator Skin. I carry around a cheap little patch kit that has an unopened 5 gram tube of vulcanizing cement. In that little box I also put in a razor blade, tooth pick, some alcohol wipes, and an unopened tube of Super Glue in-case the vulcanizing cement dries out. I gave up on the stick on patches long ago. Some people use them, but I have never been able to get mine to work.
I generally like the vulcanizing patches as well but quick patches take up less room and the only thing to remember is to carefully sand the area where you have to stick the quick patch. You have to do this with the vulcanizing patches as well so you simply skip the glue step. Most of the wheels I have are those idiotic "two way" wheels which make it so difficult to get tires on and off of so I often pinch tubes trying to get the tires on.
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Old 08-21-21, 03:36 PM
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like 10 wheels, I do not patch on the road, I replace the tube and patch at home if patch-able.
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Old 08-21-21, 03:40 PM
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You do know that the patches have to go on the tube inside the tire, right?
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Old 08-21-21, 03:43 PM
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Although i carry a small park brand patch kit, I also carry a spare tube and only patch on the road if absolutely necessary. Patch or replace at home.
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Old 08-21-21, 03:53 PM
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I personally would not use Slime.....If you were to head down that road, I would go tubeless if your rims are tubeless ready
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Old 08-21-21, 04:05 PM
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Rema

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Learn how to properly patch a tube on YouTube:



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Old 08-22-21, 01:10 AM
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Carry and pop in a new tube at the roadside, it's quicker than patching. The self-adhesive patches can be a little hit and miss (I find Park Tools ones good) so I only use them as a last resort. Carrying one or even two spare tubes hardly takes up any room on a saddle bag, bottle cage storage or even jersey pocket if you must. The superlight style tubes pack down incredibly small.

The old school glue-on patches are the best. I've never once had an issue with those, but I always patch later in the comfort of home.


Originally Posted by 10 Wheels
I carry 3 to 5 spare tubes. Always patch at home.
Now that's being properly prepared! 😁
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Old 08-22-21, 08:59 AM
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Finding a hole in a tube at the roadside is next to impossible. > Carry one or two spare tubes. Patch at home. Use proper patches, like in the post above.

Thats how I do it. That's how Dad did it. That's how America does it.

;-)
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Old 08-22-21, 09:40 AM
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I carry a spare tube and a Rema patch kit. First flat gets a new tube, second and subsequent get patched.
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Old 08-22-21, 10:06 AM
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Originally Posted by tempocyclist

Now that's being properly prepared! 😁
He’s done some unsupported touring.

I take three tubes on tours in more remote areas along with a patch kit. Closer to home, where I know the roads and there shops on or near the route, usually only two and the patch kit.
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Old 08-22-21, 05:11 PM
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Originally Posted by caloso
I carry a spare tube and a Rema patch kit. First flat gets a new tube, second and subsequent get patched.
I do the same.
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Old 08-22-21, 06:41 PM
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Never had much luck with patches. Spare tubes. If I run out of those, I'm out of luck.
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Old 08-22-21, 06:44 PM
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Originally Posted by bargo68
Rema

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Learn how to properly patch a tube on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/T0F_hibWHlU


Park Tool is local to Minnesota. I was doing support for a road race earlier this year. Park Tool was a sponsor and sent a mechanic for on-the-fly repairs. Lo and behold, it was Calvin Jones. I felt like I was meeting a celebrity.
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Old 08-22-21, 10:45 PM
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At the risk of jinxing myself, it's been a long time since I've patched a tube on the road. On the rare occasion I get a flat, I use the spare tube I have with me, and the Rema patch kit just waits for my luck to worsen. Saving up punctured tubes and patching them as a bunch of 6+ at home lets me get a lot of use out of a fresh tube of glue, and then I'm set for a while.

Also, bringing a spare tube is good karma if it can help someone else. My 650B bike carries a spare 700C tube as well since there's often someone who'll need it.
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Old 08-24-21, 12:24 PM
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Originally Posted by Sy Reene
You do know that the patches have to go on the tube inside the tire, right?
BWAHAHA....good one


So to be more precise, I actually did make it home and tried to repair it. The tube had a tiny puncture from a thorn so that is why I decided to patch instead of replace right away. But I like the whole crazy glue tube idea.

But def agree with the whole replace with a new tube prior to patching. Follow up question, are you guys carrying pumps or Co2? I usually carry a pump on longer rides, but those cartridges look real tempting. Any thoughts on using CO2 cartridges?
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Old 08-24-21, 12:38 PM
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Originally Posted by oleg232000
So my gatorskin finally got a puncture after 1200 miles of rough roads. Pulled over and tried to repair it, but my self adhesive patches didnt stick for *****, and thus i was out of luck. Can anyone recommend a kit that actually works? Should I be using a tubed glue instead of the self adhesive patches?

Also, I just discovered sealant filled tubes (yes laugh if you must). Do these work? Are they worth the investment? I was looking at the Slime brand. Just bought the sealant alone to experiment with.

Thanks
I have a slime tube in my rear 700x35 Schwalbe marathon plus for just over 1,000 miles now. It is my first time trying pre-filled slime tubes. The information that came with the tube said it is good for 2 years, whatever that means. As a cheapskate I'll run it till it fails. If it punctures and doesn't self seal I doubt it can be patched with all that slime contaminating the site.

I always cary a spare tube to save the frustration of seeing a patch fail.
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Old 08-24-21, 12:38 PM
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I pretty much stopped getting flats when I went tubeless.

Patches are great, they have you money and keep useable goods out of the landfill! But they're a pain in the ass too. As you learned. Carry a* spare tube, use it in times of crisis, patch the old one in the comfort of your home with a cup of comfort and some good music playing. That should be your plan, one day you'll get caught out in the rain and flat.

* Note: "carry a spare tube" means at least one, but depending on your circumstances you might want more. Long ride, thorny route, anything that means more chance of flats means at least think about taking another tube so you don't have to walk home in your road shoes.
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Old 08-24-21, 01:28 PM
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Originally Posted by oleg232000
Any thoughts on using CO2 cartridges?
have I got a thread for you....
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Old 08-24-21, 01:41 PM
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Originally Posted by oleg232000
BWAHAHA....good one


So to be more precise, I actually did make it home and tried to repair it. The tube had a tiny puncture from a thorn so that is why I decided to patch instead of replace right away. But I like the whole crazy glue tube idea.

But def agree with the whole replace with a new tube prior to patching. Follow up question, are you guys carrying pumps or Co2? I usually carry a pump on longer rides, but those cartridges look real tempting. Any thoughts on using CO2 cartridges?
Just so you know. Reaping pinholes with "crazy glue" is a perfectly viable option. Just make sure to stretch the tube a bit to make let the glue into the hole, and make sure to Not to glue the tube flat. Ive done it a few times and it holds air no problem, just like a normal patch.
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