Patching tubes - best patch kits

jon1981

Having had to replace 3 tubes in two weeks I've decided to have ago at patching, as the tubes are brand new. The plan is to have them as back up for my commuting bike.

I used the rema tip top patches but find the circular patches are very big for a narrow road bike tube , it was hard to get a good seal as I couldn't stretch the tube out enough to be able to apply the patch flat on to the tube , it bent around the tube and the seal is not great around the edge of the patch.

Any recommendations for smaller quality patches? I feel these kits are mostly suitable for wider tubes.

Cee-Jay-Cee

I've been using Park Tools self sticking patches for the last two years. Have yet to have one fail on me. They're €2.99 for a pack of 6 from CRC.

Konkers

Cee-Jay-Cee wrote: »

I've been using Park Tools self sticking patches for the last two years. Have yet to have one fail on me. They're €2.99 for a pack of 6 from CRC.

Agree with CJC

Alek

There is rema tip top road bike version, with smaller and thinner patches. When I run out of these, I use Halfords kit that came as big sheet of a very thin patch that I've cut to smaller pieces. Not too sure if I got it in the cycling section or elsewhere, but its really good.

Mycroft H

Rema kits are awesome. I've two of them and I can't seem to find a stockist

cython

Mycroft H wrote: »

Rema kits are awesome. I've two of them and I can't seem to find a stockist

Cycle Superstore used to have them some time back, but otherwise CRC do them, and so do bike-discount.de, though the latter charge delivery so not really cost effective unless you're ordering something else anyway. That being said, if you do have something to order from the latter, Rema kits are stupidly cheap from them, at <€2 for the road kit!

Puncture on the way into work this morning actually reminded me that I need to pick up some patches myself to replenish my supply.

jon1981

Thanks for the recommendations. Will both the Park tools self sticking and Rema patches hold up to 110-120psi?

cdaly_

cython wrote: »

Cycle Superstore used to have them some time back, but otherwise CRC do them

Two Wheels cycles on South William Street have them (and probably many other bike shops). CRC have 8xF0 patches (the small ones) for a fiver...

jon1981 wrote: »

Thanks for the recommendations. Will both the Park tools self sticking and Rema patches hold up to 110-120psi?

I used to use the Park tools patches as a get me home but I had to re-do the repair with a proper patch later. The Rema patch is a permanent repair.

120psi should be no problem so long as you do the patching correctly, it's the tyre that takes most of the pressure anyhow.

tomasrojo

I got a long roll of patch material off Dara in Bee Cycles and a large-ish tube of vulcanising solution (15g), and that should do me for a good while. Total cost about €7, I think.

I cut a few small rectangles off the sheet now and then and keep them in my repair kit. The resulting homemade patches lack feathering on the periphery, but they work fine, and you can make them the size you find most useful.

I keep the tube of solution in a small plastic bag sealed with an elastic tie. I read somewhere that solution keeps longer this way. I think it's true; I've had this tube for over a year since I punctured the seal, and it hasn't dried out at all.

Carawaystick

I keep a paperclip in the puncture repair box, to pop through the dried solution, and to fish it out of the tube.

Cee-Jay-Cee

jon1981 wrote: »

Thanks for the recommendations. Will both the Park tools self sticking and Rema patches hold up to 110-120psi?

I pump my tyres to 100psi and have ridden approx 1800km on the tube since it was patched last year with a park tools self/stick patch.

sbs2010

Cee-Jay-Cee wrote: »

I pump my tyres to 100psi and have ridden approx 1800km on the tube since it was patched last year with a park tools self/stick patch.

+1 for Park tools' patches. Never had a problem with them.

pedro_colnago

sbs2010 wrote: »

+1 for Park tools' patches. Never had a problem with them.

Must invest in them, I got a couple of punctures a long way from home a few weeks ago, had no tubes left but had a self adhesive patch from Planet X that got me home on my last punctured tube, there a lifesaver, wouldn't leave home without them as a just in case back up to the spare tubes.

arybvtcw0eolkf

I usually use Skabs from Halfords, they're €4:99 and haven't had any fail yet.

These are used on my commuter hybrid bike, which is still on its original tires and prone to punctures.

I used them on my road bike before fitting Gatorskins and it was the same deal on that ~ since fitting the Gatorskins I've been puncture free.

arybvtcw0eolkf

I usually use Skabs from Halfords, they're €4:99 and haven't had any fail yet.

These are used on my commuter hybrid bike, which is still on its original tires and prone to punctures.

I used them on my road bike before fitting Gatorskins and it was the same deal on that ~ since fitting the Gatorskins I've been puncture free.

CramCycle

I stupidly have bought the park tools self sticking patches twice. They may be convenient but they never last, for me, with most failing in minutes, the longest lasting a few days.

I have regular patches on other tubes that have lasted years.

The only ones worse than park tools were the ones from Dealz.

Nisio

I've had trouble putting on the self adhesive patches anywhere near the moulding seam on the tube. Even sanding the area loads they've lifted.

I've taken to applying vulcanised glue to the area letting that dry and the sticking the self adhesive patch on over that.

Alek

I've taken to applying vulcanised glue to the area letting that dry and the sticking the self adhesive patch on over that.

This is exactly what you need to do with non-self adhesive patches, and it works great when applied over the seam...

Nisio

Alek wrote:

This is exactly what you need to do with non-self adhesive patches, and it works great when applied over the seam...

I've bought them so I'm gonna use them (and not buy them again).