How many patches on an inner tube before you bin it?

[fossyant]

Latex tubes are binned - but thats for the posh bike. More recently I haven't done too much patching as been getting the Decathlon Tubes - the cheap shrink wrapped ones for £3 for two. I think I have a couple that need patching, but the Durano Plus seem to be ruddy bomb proof. The Decathlon 18-23 700c are very similar to the much more expensive Michelin Butyl.... probably the same tubes TBH.

 

[fossyant]

It's usually three if spread about, but if near each other or near the valve it's in the bin.

 

[I like Skol]

Just fixed the tube that picked up a puncture on my last commute of the year (I have always said fit a spare tube at the roadside and fix the punctured one later in comfort ). I had a quick count and this tube now has 6 patches but is still good and will be rolled up and packed in to the pannier in case of a future visit!

Repair took about 15 minutes and at least 10 of them were spent checking through my bike tool kit and faffing about with other things while the glue dried.

 

[screenman]

On club runs we notice that the people who get the most punctures are the one's with the most patches on thier old tubes.

 

[summerdays]

5 and that was when the bike shop replaced it without asking..... it was the original one that was still in there 6+ years later! I have replaced a different one with fewer patches but it was because a patch eventually failed on a seam.

 

[Mrs M]

Ssh!
Haven't had a you know what since the 80's.

 

[Red17]

I've manage to work out a cunning 2-3 patch system.

First go use a self adhesive patch, then stick tube back in bike. Next day find tyre has gone down, so remove tube, remove patch and try again. Next day either give up or have third go usually with a glue patch. Day 4 bin tube as still leaking.

I know the theory but for some reason I just cannot repair more than about 1 in 4 punctures successfully.

 

[Jimidh]

None - punctured tubes go in the bin - life is too short to waste time fixing punctures.

 

[martinclive]

I've manage to work out a cunning 2-3 patch system.

First go use a self adhesive patch, then stick tube back in bike. Next day find tyre has gone down, so remove tube, remove patch and try again. Next day either give up or have third go usually with a glue patch. Day 4 bin tube as still leaking.

I know the theory but for some reason I just cannot repair more than about 1 in 4 punctures successfully.

+1 last one i patched failed
All my cycling is commuting - so new tube goes in (but I did used to give the odd punctured one to @MisterStan to repair for himself so I can sleep at night!)

 

[I like Skol]

On club runs we notice that the people who get the most punctures are the one's with the most patches on thier old tubes.

This doesn't seem like a very statistically balanced observation. To make a fair comparison the test would have to be run using control tyres of the same make, model and amount of wear. If the people who have multiple repairs on a tube are getting more punctures then this could be more indicative of a tendency to keep tyres for longer before replacing whereas the people who fit a new tube everytime and throw away the old tube are doing similar with their tyres. i.e changing tyres every few months or even after a puncture (don't laugh, I have seen it suggested on this forum quite a few times). I still stand by my claim that it is physically impossible for a correctly repaired inner tube to be the cause of further punctures (I obviously exclude botched repairs from this statement).

 

[Tin Pot]

This doesn't seem like a very statistically balanced observation. To make a fair comparison the test would have to be run using control tyres of the same make, model and amount of wear. If the people who have multiple repairs on a tube are getting more punctures then this could be more indicative of a tendency to keep tyres for longer before replacing whereas the people who fit a new tube everytime and throw away the old tube are doing similar with their tyres. i.e changing tyres every few months or even after a puncture (don't laugh, I have seen it suggested on this forum quite a few times). I still stand by my claim that it is physically impossible for a correctly repaired inner tube to be the cause of further punctures (I obviously exclude botched repairs from this statement).

So, what's a botched repair?

 

[Dogtrousers]

I have never had a patch fail. Now, I (knock knock) don't get many punctures, but I firmly believe that if you do the repair properly - sandpaper first, then a nice layer of rubber solution, let it dry, then a patch then talc - and provided it's really a puncture and not a great big tear, then the repair will be tougher than the original. Take your time over it. It's quite enjoyable.

I carry some of those instant "scab" patches, but I've never had to use them. If I did I'd redo the repair at home. The only time they've ever been called into action was to donate a packet of them to another cyclist I came across who didn't have a spare tube.

 

[I like Skol]

So, what's a botched repair?

One that doesn't work! This might be because the reason for the puncture wasn't remedied (stuff still stuck in the tyre) and a new or used tube won't fix that, or because the patch has been poorly applied and is leaking. A botched repair can also be done with a brand new tube straight out of the box if the person fitting is careless enough to pinch the tube with a tyre lever when refitting the tyre.

 

[Tin Pot]

One that doesn't work! This might be because the reason for the puncture wasn't remedied (stuff still stuck in the tyre) and a new or used tube won't fix that, or because the patch has been poorly applied and is leaking. A botched repair can also be done with a brand new tube straight out of the box if the person fitting is careless enough to pinch the tube with a tyre lever when refitting the tyre.

Cheers.

I'm asking because I just applied a glueless patch and I've 30mikes to get home on it.

Partially inflated to find the hole, just a mil if that.(Was a slow puncture). Wiped, scraped with sand paper.

First patch was careless, so applied the second peeling the back off and applying without touching the sticky bit.

Held for sixty, holding all of the patch down.

Checked rim, checked tyre twice for sharpness, found tiny mark corresponding to hole.

 

[Colin_P]

Cheers.

I'm asking because I just applied a glueless patch and I've 30mikes to get home on it.

Partially inflated to find the hole, just a mil if that.(Was a slow puncture). Wiped, scraped with sand paper.

First patch was careless, so applied the second peeling the back off and applying without touching the sticky bit.

Held for sixty, holding all of the patch down.

Checked rim, checked tyre twice for sharpness, found tiny mark corresponding to hole.

It is all about the glue. You must let it 'flash off' / dry before pressing the patch on. Sounds counter intuitive but if the glue has any 'wet' visible that is the path that leads to a bodged repair, that is.