Patching tubes

Schoie81

Hi guys,

Just patched a tube after a pinch flat this morning - something occurred to me whilst I was doing it (this is the first puncture i've repaired..). I apply the patch while the tube is flat - but when I pump it up, the tube expands so will the patch stretch with the tube or will the tube stretching put pressure on the patch glue and risk the patch coming away from the tube and causing another flat? Should I be somehow stretching the tube as I apply the patch? If so, how?

Or am I just over-thinking it?

Tom Butcher

Apply it to a deflated tube, if you inflate the tube first the patch is much thicker than the rest of the tube.

keef66

Schoie81 wrote:

Hi guys,

Just patched a tube after a pinch flat this morning - something occurred to me whilst I was doing it (this is the first puncture i've repaired..). I apply the patch while the tube is flat - but when I pump it up, the tube expands so will the patch stretch with the tube or will the tube stretching put pressure on the patch glue and risk the patch coming away from the tube and causing another flat? Should I be somehow stretching the tube as I apply the patch? If so, how?

Or am I just over-thinking it?

The second one. You're over thinking it. Just patch the tube while it's flat. I like to do mine at home in the evening and leave them overnight to cure fully under a heavy weight like a house brick. Using thin, flexible patches helps.

Schoie81

Does anyone use the Park Tools 'super patches'? I've read these are temporary only, and you should use as a 'get me home' solution and then patch the tube properly once back at home. However, i've looked at the reviews on wiggle and lots of people seem to suggest there's no reason they should just be temporary and that they've never had a leak from these? Is there any need to re-patch the tube after using these self-adhesive patches?

monkimark

I've had self adhesive patches peel off, went to get on he bike after work and found it already had a flat tyre, the patch had opened up slightly at one end and let the air out. To be fair, I've got through a couple of packs without a problem before that.

I don't think they stand up very well to repeated infation/deflation, they seem to go kind of wrinkly. I still have them in case of emergency but if I'm repairing a trube at home I use old style rubber patches.

binkybike

Schoie81 wrote:

Does anyone use the Park Tools 'super patches'? I've read these are temporary only, and you should use as a 'get me home' solution and then patch the tube properly once back at home. However, i've looked at the reviews on wiggle and lots of people seem to suggest there's no reason they should just be temporary and that they've never had a leak from these? Is there any need to re-patch the tube after using these self-adhesive patches?

That's the only type i use, they do go yellow and drop off eventually, after about 2 years i think, so not as good as a "proper" patch, but that's longer than the tyre so.... the convenience outweighs that downside for me... I find they work best if you apply and put the tube back in the tyre and pump up straight away, so the opposite of the normal patches

Monty Dog

Park sticky patches are OK for on the road / temporary repairs - but they need to be applied to a dry tyre. No worries on applying patch to deflated tube - they stick better if firm pressure applied on a flat surface and then left to 'cure'

greasedscotsman

Top tip I was given was to rub the edges of the patch with the edge of a coin (or something similar) before peeling back the clear protective film.

Also don't apply the patch to the glue whilst it's still wet, it's need to cure for 5 minutes or so before attaching the patch.