Disappearing rubber cement/glue for p*&%tures

[Nigeyy]

Come on, has anyone else had this problem, or is it just me? Just up from the cellar 2 minutes ago.

I've lost count of the times I've reached for that little tube of glue, with it seemingly bulging full of rubber gluey goodness, to find myself rolling it up and squeezing and squeezing until it's completely snug with the top, with nary a drop of the precious stuff coming out..... I've noticed this seems to happen on older tubes of glue.

But where the heck has that glue gone to? Or are manufacturers inflating it with air at the bottom of the tube to lull us cyclists into thinking we have enough? An anomaly in life? Rubber glue Twilight Zone?

 

[Supersuperleeds]

glueless patches are the answer

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/topeak-flypaper-glueless-patch-kit/rp-prod37905

 

[Sharky]

Yep happened to me on the road. Had a puncture and found the hole, so was going to repair it, but no glue! Luckily had a spare tube as well.

 

[ufkacbln]

This is the "Tube Fairy" who is responsible for emptying tubes and leaving just enough to be unsuitable for the task required

Closely related to the P*nct*re Fairy and known to work together

 

[Sharky]

I think they have a cousin called Pixie Nut.

After commuting for about 3 months carrying a heavy 10mm Allen key in my pack, I decided to lighten my load and leave it behind. On the next commute, my crank came loose!

 

[mjr]

Most tubes are mostly solvent. Once the seal is broken, it evaporates and leaves the tiny amount of rubber in the end of the tube.

To slow it, drip a blob of rubber solution into the middle of the cap before putting it back on. It's not a strong glue, so you should still be able to unscrew the cap later. You can't stop it completely, though.

 

[Chris S]

Most tubes are mostly solvent. Once the seal is broken, it evaporates and leaves the tiny amount of rubber in the end of the tube.

To slow it, drip a blob of rubber solution into the middle of the cap before putting it back on. It's not a strong glue, so you should still be able to unscrew the cap later. You can't stop it completely, though.

Not a good idea - you can start a chain reaction that will neutralize the rest of the glue in the tube. It's the reason why you should never allow the actual tube to make contact with the rubber when you apply the glue.

 

[mjr]

Not a good idea - you can start a chain reaction that will neutralize the rest of the glue in the tube. It's the reason why you should never allow the actual tube to make contact with the rubber when you apply the glue.

Huh? I've sometimes smeared the end of the solution tube on the inner tube and it's been fine next time. What reaction do you think would be happening? As far as I know, the tube contains mainly rubber in solvent and the main reaction is evaporation of the solvent.

 

[Chris S]

What reaction do you think would be happening? As far as I know, the tube contains mainly rubber in solvent and the main reaction is evaporation of the solvent.

The so called 'glue' is actually a vulcanizing fluid which bonds the rubber tube and patch at the molecular level.

 

[mjr]

The so called 'glue' is actually a vulcanizing fluid which bonds the rubber tube and patch at the molecular level.

And how would that reaction be started by touching the tube on the inner tube? Or accelerated by sealing the tube rather than leaving the contents basically open to the atmosphere?

I thought chemical vulcanization started once the solvent had evaporated and an additive could react with something in the air, but it's not something I've studied recently.

 

[Chris S]

And how would that reaction be started by touching the tube on the inner tube? .

The chemical vulcanization starts once the solvent comes in contact with the rubber.

 

[sidevalve]

Happened way back in the 50s [and I suspect from the first stages of the tube] except that back then you could just buy a tube of goop.
As for the p--ture fairy and the tube fairy they are all part of a huge clan including the spanner fairies, sock fairies and [just as you kneel down to fix the puncture] the dreaded stone fairies.

 

[Gravity Aided]

The chemical vulcanization starts once the solvent comes in contact with the rubber.

It would be wise to carry a wooden stirring stick to apply the glue, then, I suppose.

 

[mjr]

The chemical vulcanization starts once the solvent comes in contact with the rubber.

And you're claiming that process continues back into the tube in some sort of self-sustaining way even when it's no longer in contact with the inner tube? Sorry to be doubting, but what's the source of that? There are tons of pics like on http://www.bicyclinglife.com/HowTo/FixAFlat.htm showing solution tubes being dabbed onto inner tubes and I doubt they're all using a new tube of solution every time - I'm certainly not!

 

[Chris S]

It would be wise to carry a wooden stirring stick to apply the glue, then, I suppose.

No you just make sure that the tube doesn't come in contact with the rubber. The instructions usually state this.