Self adhesive patches

redvee
redvee Posts: 11,922
edited November 2007 in Commuting chat
What sort of lifespan do these things have? Had one lift on my tube last night but only found out this morning :evil: . Done the visual search of tyre and tube and nothing obvious so filled the sink and found the leak to be a SA patch. Time to put a proper patch on now. Think in this case it was a park patch that failed and must be 4+ years old.
I've added a signature to prove it is still possible.

Comments

  • whyamihere
    whyamihere Posts: 7,714
    Patches are only really a temporary fix... If you've had the tube for over 4 years, might it not be best to replace it? They're only a couple of quid.
  • fossyant
    fossyant Posts: 2,549
    Four year old tubes ....bloody hell....replace them now !.. Three visits from the 'P' Fairy and my tubes are history........ if not before !
  • Drfabulous0
    Drfabulous0 Posts: 1,539
    OK, I do this for a living, but I can put a proper patch on a tyre and have the bike back on the road in under 5 minutes, the repair will last forever and is cheaper than crap self adhesive patches, why bother?
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  • BentMikey
    BentMikey Posts: 4,895
    Proper patches are very nearly as good as the tube and won't leak if done properly. Self-adhesive ones are shite.
  • Clever Pun
    Clever Pun Posts: 6,778
    one pun<ture and the tube is history, try as I might I just can't get repair kits to work for me... they always give leaving me angry I didn't just put a new one in and have done with it
    Purveyor of sonic doom

    Very Hairy Roadie - FCN 4
    Fixed Pista- FCN 5
    Beared Bromptonite - FCN 14
  • El Gordo
    El Gordo Posts: 394
    Some people reckon if done properly they will last forever but personally I've never had one last more than a month or so. It is highly irritating to have to fix the same puncture twice.

    Old style ones are only slightly slower and really do last forever and are much cheaper. I carry a spare tube or two though so that I do the repair in the light and dry and when I'm not in a rush or pi##ed off.

    Binning an tube just because of a tiny hole would just make the whole puncture experience even more annoying.
  • spen666
    spen666 Posts: 17,709
    El Gordo wrote:
    Some people reckon if done properly they will last forever but personally I've never had one last more than a month or so. It is highly irritating to have to fix the same puncture twice....

    sounds like you are either using poor equipment- ie crap patches or crap glue

    or you are missing something out in your repairs.

    Perhaps time to re read a guide on fixing punctures and see if you are missing something?
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  • El Gordo
    El Gordo Posts: 394
    spen666 wrote:
    El Gordo wrote:
    Some people reckon if done properly they will last forever but personally I've never had one last more than a month or so. It is highly irritating to have to fix the same puncture twice....

    sounds like you are either using poor equipment- ie crap patches or crap glue

    or you are missing something out in your repairs.

    Perhaps time to re read a guide on fixing punctures and see if you are missing something?

    I was talking about the glueless types when I said they don't last (like a lot of other people find). I know perfectly well how to use 'proper' patches thankyou!
  • redvee
    redvee Posts: 11,922
    Binning a tube cause it had a puncture isn't an option these days now that I'll have to pay 9x what I used to, last lot of tubes I bought was 65p each!!!!
    I've added a signature to prove it is still possible.
  • mrchrispy
    mrchrispy Posts: 310
    if the patch doesnt go within the first 5-10 mins then it good forever IMO.
    Never had a patch go once it was back in the tyre.
    you must be doing it wrong :)
  • cupofteacp
    cupofteacp Posts: 578
    Here my guide to repairing a puncture

    1. Patience
    2. Find the puncture
    3. Clean the area properly with an abrasive (sandpaper)
    4. Put a thin layer of glue covering the puncture and the full area that the patch will cover
    5. let it dry slightly, do not apply the patch instantly.
    6. apply pressure and leave for at least 5 minutes before using

    Anyone else’s comments?
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  • redvee
    redvee Posts: 11,922
    2a. When you find the puncture in the tube, line the valve hole so it corresponds with the wheel and look in the same approx. area on the tyre to see if the thorn/glass etc is still embedded in the tyre and remove if so, you'll probably find evidence of where the offending item was.

    7. Put some french chalk over the patch and surrounding area to take the adhesive qualities of any undried excess glue and stop it sticking to the tyre.

    8. Put the kettle on after repairing the puncture as you've probably just put a new tube in your tyre when out on the road. :)
    I've added a signature to prove it is still possible.
  • spasypaddy
    spasypaddy Posts: 5,180
    when i got my first puncture i just put a new tube in! Second time (the day after the first puncture) i fixed the tube as i didnt want to buy ANOTHER new tube. So i've got one patched up tube on the bike, one brand new tube in the saddle bag, and one patched up tube at home.

    Plus another punctured tube that im going to cannibalise for patches is this a good idea?
    BMC TM01 - FCN 0
    Look 695 (Geared) - FCN 1
    Bowman Palace:R - FCN 1
    Cannondale CAAD 9 - FCN 2
    Premier (CX) - FCN 6
    Premier (fixed/SS) - FCN3
  • hamboman
    hamboman Posts: 512
    I've been commuting on an old road bike from 1984 for a year and a half in London without a single puncture (*touches wood, nervously glances at bike in corner of office fearing he has tempted fate big time). I'm thinking it's bound to happen some time though, so maybe I should get a spare inner tube. I usually ride MTB so not sure what to get or from where. Wiggle? Which ones?

    cheers
  • spasypaddy
    spasypaddy Posts: 5,180
    that will depend on the wheel size, a bike that old will probably need an older size tube. If you want i have a spare one of the older size as i was going to build a fixie that size but decided against it. You can have it for the cost of the postage?
    BMC TM01 - FCN 0
    Look 695 (Geared) - FCN 1
    Bowman Palace:R - FCN 1
    Cannondale CAAD 9 - FCN 2
    Premier (CX) - FCN 6
    Premier (fixed/SS) - FCN3
  • Crapaud
    Crapaud Posts: 2,483
    spasypaddy wrote:
    when i got my first puncture i just put a new tube in! Second time (the day after the first puncture) i fixed the tube as i didnt want to buy ANOTHER new tube. So i've got one patched up tube on the bike, one brand new tube in the saddle bag, and one patched up tube at home.

    Plus another punctured tube that im going to cannibalise for patches is this a good idea?
    No. It doesn't work. Proper patches are worth it and cost pennies.
    A fanatic is one who can’t change his mind and won’t change the subject - Churchill
  • spasypaddy
    spasypaddy Posts: 5,180
    Crapaud wrote:
    spasypaddy wrote:
    when i got my first puncture i just put a new tube in! Second time (the day after the first puncture) i fixed the tube as i didnt want to buy ANOTHER new tube. So i've got one patched up tube on the bike, one brand new tube in the saddle bag, and one patched up tube at home.

    Plus another punctured tube that im going to cannibalise for patches is this a good idea?
    No. It doesn't work. Proper patches are worth it and cost pennies.
    oh i know, i was only wondering. I shall patch up the other one as well then and have a couple of spares!
    BMC TM01 - FCN 0
    Look 695 (Geared) - FCN 1
    Bowman Palace:R - FCN 1
    Cannondale CAAD 9 - FCN 2
    Premier (CX) - FCN 6
    Premier (fixed/SS) - FCN3

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