On the go repair of tire flats
#1
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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
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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#3
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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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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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#6
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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.
#7
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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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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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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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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.
Now that's being properly prepared! 😁
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.
Now that's being properly prepared! 😁
#14
Senior Member
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.
;-)
Thats how I do it. That's how Dad did it. That's how America does it.
;-)
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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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#17
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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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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.
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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#21
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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?
#22
Newbie
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
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 always cary a spare tube to save the frustration of seeing a patch fail.
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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.
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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#25
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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?
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?