Patching a bike inner tube...

[Scott Douglas]

Hey all you bike riders out there, I need some advice.
I was out the other day and not paying much attention to where I was riding and rode over a piece of 'wire' as best I can describe it.



Of course it went 'POP' and then it went flat. I keep 60 psi in the tires for easier rolling resistance so it didn't have a hard time getting in there.

My tube is one of those thick, thorn resistant tubes that is actually thicker than the tire tread itself.

I'd like to patch it as it's been a great piece of mind tube when riding at the beach.
This is the first time I've had a tire actually go flat from running over something.

I'm wondering who makes the best kit for patching the tube.

I'm up and running already on a tube I bought to replace my front thorn resistant tube which developed a bubble around the stem, probably from the high pressure I keep in them.

Any advice on the repair kit would be appreciated. (I really like this old tube, which still looks like new, except for the hole in it.)

[Scott Douglas]

I've been doing some research and this looks promising...

https://www.rei.com/product/116387/park-tool-vp-1c-tire-patch-kit

What do you think?

[fanaudical]

I use that patch kit (I'm old-school - I enjoy scuffing tubes and applying glue) on much thinner tubes with great success. The patch outlasts the remaining life of the tube.

[Rot 911]

Originally Posted by Scott Douglas

I've been doing some research and this looks promising...

https://www.rei.com/product/116387/park-tool-vp-1c-tire-patch-kit

What do you think?

I even use that kit on motorcycle tubes!

[Scott Douglas]

I'm the same way, been patching them that way for a long time, just haven't had to do it until just yesterday.
I think I'll pick up a kit as we have a store nearby.



It's not a fancy bike but I love how easy it is to ride.

[Scott Douglas]

Originally Posted by Rot 911

I even use that kit on motorcycle tubes!

That's a good reco in my book!

[Scott Douglas]

Thanks guys!
I appreciate it.

[herr_oberst]

I've had good luck with glueless patches (Park, Schwalbe, stay away from the cheap ones)

They work great as long as you clean and scuff the surface properly. One caveat, they sometimes fail when you put them on top of a seam. That's when the old glue-on patches work best. Problem with glue on's is, as we all know, that tube of cement is one and done, so the next time you go to use it, the cement tube will be bone-dry..

Also, in a situation like that wire coming through the tire carcass, I'll usually apply a glueless patch to the inside of the tire, too, (prep the surface like you would a tube.) and then maybe some clear silicone or shoe-goo in the cut to keep the tire from splitting

Glueless Patch. Wasn't he one of the Li'l Rascals back in the '30's?

[3rd_gear_Ted]

If you try to get a replacement tube from Wal-Mart, be patient their all locked up.
They unlock the door and place the box inside another box that they lock up till you pay.

[Scott Douglas]

I was thinking about putting some sort of patch on the inside of the tire itself. I'll have to do that when I get the kit.

I bought the 'spare' tubes I had, after the front had the problem, from Wal-Mart so I've been thru the wait for them to unlock the cabinet thing.
If I buy any more tubes it'll be some more of the thorn proof ones from Performance Bikes. They're not cheap at @$15/tube, but I've had good luck with the ones I bought back in '14 when I put these wheels on my then new Trek. The wheels are off an old but barely ridden Diamond Back I have hanging in the garage.

[Tobra]

Good idea to patch tire too,will (hopefully) keep water out.

The used to make a plastic liner you put inside tire to protect tube

[fanaudical]

Here's my latest favorite bike shop:

https://www.universalcycles.com/

Looking through their patch kits, I realized that I have also used the kits made by Rema (used to get those from REI) and that you can buy a small container of the patch glue for shop use.

[craigster59]

A set of "Mr. Tuffy's" were always a good addition to my tires. We get a lot of "Goatheads" when riding near the coast...

Mr Tuffy - The original and still the best tire liner in the industryl

[look 171]

Rema patch kit. Best IMO.

[look 171]

We sometimes just put a folded up dollar bill behind the hole on the tire but if you want to put a 20 or even a 100, they work better. Most people I know just cut a small thin flexible plastic and tap it to the inside of the tire where the hole came through. Cut up a plastic coke bottle. Make sure edges are not sharp.

[Arizona_928]

Originally Posted by Tobra

Good idea to patch tire too,will (hopefully) keep water out.
Snip

I had that recommendation from an old school gentleman at a fleet tire repair. It was for two piece military wheels, so a little different.

[Scott Douglas]

OK, so I got to experimenting a little yesterday.
I noticed that when I stretched the tube to see how big the hole was, it naturally closed back up tight. I got to thinking, why not just put a drop or two of super glue in there when it's open and let the tube be its own clamp?

I did that yesterday and left it to dry over night.

This morning I tested it to see if it would hold just a tad bit of pressure. I have some old poly tube that I use for a leaf barrel that I put over the tube to act as a sleeve to keep it from really expanding too much without support.

It held probably 10 psi doing that.

I then took the wheel off and tore out the new tube and put the old tube in.
So far it's holding 58.5 PSI no problem.
I'm thinking it might just be repaired OK to ride around the 'hood.

[look 171]

Nooooooo.

[Scott Douglas]

I'm sorry to report my super glue experiment didn't work.
Went out to check it and it was flat as a door nail.

Took the tube out, got a patch kit at REI and patched it up. Put one of the patches on the inside of the tire just for drill.

Loaded everything up with a good dose of talcum powder to keep things slipping 'n sliding inside the tire, pumped it up to 57.5 psi and mounted it on the bike.

I'll carry a spare tube now and the leftovers from the repair kit too. My little tool pouch tools worked great as they have tire spoons built-in and they worked great. No sore fingers from taking the tire off/on the rim.

Worst case out on the road will be pumping up the tire with my little pump. It's barely better than nothing if you get my drift.

[Ralph3.]

When I used to ride I carried a new tube in case of a flat. Cheep insurance, maybe a patch kit in addition to the tube.