Puncture repair

[Wayners]

Hi all.

I've got a few questions regarding puncture repair.
Red patches with black dot. Which way around do I stick on. I've done black dot against tyre.

Patch has foil one side and plastic over the black dot on the other. I can't remove the plastic very easily. Not sure what that's about...

If puncture is next to moulded ridge on tube can I stick a patch over? Or just buy another tube?

I keep getting failed attempts.
I'm also thinking the quality of glue and patches Is poor vs when I was a kid in the 80s as I never has trouble then. I have 3 patch kits that are near identical and all are no good

 

[Az.]

 

[Wayners]

Thanks. I right blep up the repair then. I couldn't find a YouTube video showing my patch kits but that one did. Bingo.

Thanks

 

[AndyBike]

Puncture repair outfit - £4.99
Replacement innertube - £5.99

A spare tube gets you up and running in an hour, then you can repair the other at your leisure
If you are lucky enough to be running 27.5" tyres, theres currently a deal for 10 innertubes for £20

Continental MTB 27.5 x 1.75" - 2.50" 42mm Presta Valve Inner Tube - 10

Continental, Tube, MTB 27,5, 47-584/62-584 (SV42), weight: 235g

www.bikeparts.co.uk

 

[saneagle]

Puncture repair outfit - £4.99
Replacement innertube - £5.99

A spare tube gets you up and running in an hour, then you can repair the other at your leisure
If you are lucky enough to be running 27.5" tyres, theres currently a deal for 10 innertubes for £20

Continental MTB 27.5 x 1.75" - 2.50" 42mm Presta Valve Inner Tube - 10

Continental, Tube, MTB 27,5, 47-584/62-584 (SV42), weight: 235g

www.bikeparts.co.uk

Puncture repair kit £3.24 fixes 48 punctures = £0.0675 per puncture.

Plus, you don't have to take the wheel off to patch a puncture.

Pardon our interruption...

 

[Raboa]

I just leave the plastic bit on, never caused any problems.

 

[Wayners]

Update.

I think the alcohol helped clean tube off. Sanded as well.
Patch stuck well so see if that holds. I think its good now

 

[AndyBike]

Update.

I think the alcohol helped clean tube off. Sanded as well.
Patch stuck well so see if that holds. I think its good now

Dont forget the chalk

 

[Wayners]

I left the patch to dry for an hour while I had tea. Pasta which was nice...I used chalk over then placed it back inside tyre.
Hopefully 7am tomorrow I'll be riding to work with no problems. Was a slow puncture so been adding air every morning.

 

[jarnold]

I've been mending punctures for 60 years(not continuously, I have done some other stuff), and the thing I guess I've done wrong(after watching that video) is that I pump the tube up and check the repair in a bowl of water before putting it back in the tyre. The next time I need to mend a puncture, I'll try to mend my ways, but it goes against the grain to put it back in the tyre, pump it up, only to discover a day later that it's still leaking air, and have to get the tyre levers out again.

 

[AndyBike]

You need to check the inside of the tyre as well, and you can get an idea of where on the tyre from the position of the puncture.
Last thing you want to happen is repair, fit and then find theres something like a thorn sticking through that bursts the tube again.

Not that I've ever done that... ahem

 

[Wayners]

I've found a thorn in tyre before. I've always checked and glued the hole in the tyye.
I admit to not check patch in water through. I think if it looks good then all is ok and take the chance which explains my failed attempt

 

[Bikes4two]

In addition to what's been covered - my penny's-worth

1. Carry at least one spare tube (a new one or one that has been repaired and tested).
2. If it's a brand new tube with a Presta valve, ensure the valve is screwed in tight (there are tools for this but long-nose pliers are good too) because if it isn't and you have a pump with a screw-on connector, you'll inflate then unscrew the connector along with the valve and all the air is liberated.
3. Have a pair of tweezers (like those used for plucking eye lashes etc) in the tool kit as sometimes the smaller bits of wire/thorn/etc cannot always be gripped with finger tips.
4. Check and double check that what ever caused the puncture, is still not in the tyre.
5. If repairing a tube, when back home pump it up and leave it for a few days to ensure no air loss. Ideally fit the tube into a spare wheel/tyre and inflate, but that's for enthusiasts only!
6. If you've had difficulties getting a tyre on/off and you use metal tyre levers, make sure to avoid rim damage that might puncture a tube when replacing. Rough edges on a rim can be smoothed with emery cloth or maybe the sand paper that comes with some puncture repair outfits.
7. If you are lucky enough to avoid many punctures, periodicly check that the glue in the repair outfit hasn't dried out.
8. In a similar vein, if like me you use a track pump at home to maintain tyre pressure, you need to occasionaly check that the pump you carry on the bike still works as pump seals can dry out over time.
9. In your puncture repair outfit case, include a 'quick link' to help with chain breaks. I also carry a tyre boot which for me is a Stanley blade wrapped in a piece of plastic like that used in tooth paste tubes but tyre boots are worthy of a whole new thread.

If your (un)lucky enough to use Scwalbe Marathon Plus tyres, punctures although few, will happen at some stage, so be prepaired.

There's always a mobile phone and a willing helper with a car of course!

 

[guerney]

Have a pair of tweezers (like those used for plucking eye lashes etc) in the tool kit as sometimes the smaller bits of wire/thorn/etc cannot always be gripped with finger tips.

Forceps are good for that sort of thing, especially in the wet. Much greater gripping pressure can be applied. Smooth rather than serrated jaws, depending on the size of what you want to grip and pull out. Also useful for amateur surgery on family and friends.

 

[guerney]

I haven't had a puncture since the late 1980s, largely because that's when I stopped cycling, resuming in 2020. Punctureless mostly thanks to Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres, but I also believe Zefal cotton rim tape played a significant part. I don't trust plastic rim tape to not break. I used to carry around a spare inner tube and repair kit etc, I don't bother anymore. Nothing continues to happen. If it did, I'd simply fold my bike into a bus or taxi (I don't have a black belt in Origami).

 

[thelarkbox]

I've found a thorn in tyre before. I've always checked and glued the hole in the tyye.
I admit to not check patch in water through. I think if it looks good then all is ok and take the chance which explains my failed attempt

Had a w/end cycling the ridgeway planned summer on 89 iirc.. got dropped off at a pub, hit the track and hit hawthorns on the track.. didnt make it a mile befor the puncture repair kit i had was devoid of patches!! got picked up a few hours later shamefaced and bladdered. ..

 

[chris_n]

In addition to what's been covered - my penny's-worth

1. Carry at least one spare tube (a new one or one that has been repaired and tested).
2. If it's a brand new tube with a Presta valve, ensure the valve is screwed in tight (there are tools for this but long-nose pliers are good too) because if it isn't and you have a pump with a screw-on connector, you'll inflate then unscrew the connector along with the valve and all the air is liberated.
3. Have a pair of tweezers (like those used for plucking eye lashes etc) in the tool kit as sometimes the smaller bits of wire/thorn/etc cannot always be gripped with finger tips.
4. Check and double check that what ever caused the puncture, is still not in the tyre.
5. If repairing a tube, when back home pump it up and leave it for a few days to ensure no air loss. Ideally fit the tube into a spare wheel/tyre and inflate, but that's for enthusiasts only!
6. If you've had difficulties getting a tyre on/off and you use metal tyre levers, make sure to avoid rim damage that might puncture a tube when replacing. Rough edges on a rim can be smoothed with emery cloth or maybe the sand paper that comes with some puncture repair outfits.
7. If you are lucky enough to avoid many punctures, periodicly check that the glue in the repair outfit hasn't dried out.
8. In a similar vein, if like me you use a track pump at home to maintain tyre pressure, you need to occasionaly check that the pump you carry on the bike still works as pump seals can dry out over time.
9. In your puncture repair outfit case, include a 'quick link' to help with chain breaks. I also carry a tyre boot which for me is a Stanley blade wrapped in a piece of plastic like that used in tooth paste tubes but tyre boots are worthy of a whole new thread.

If your (un)lucky enough to use Scwalbe Marathon Plus tyres, punctures although few, will happen at some stage, so be prepaired.

There's always a mobile phone and a willing helper with a car of course!

All good advice but just a couple of points.
Consider using a CO2 inflator, it's much faster and easier than a typical modern portable hand pump. They are single use and you do need to carry spare cartridges. I also found it useful to retighten presta valves after putting equipment away as the valve seal temporarily hardens with the freezing action of using the CO2.
Ref point 9, you need to have a chain link tool to make it worth carrying a quick link, I always make sure any multitool I carry has a basic chain tool incorporated.

 

[Az.]

CO2 inflator

Not an environmentally friendly option.

 

[chris_n]

Not an environmentally friendly option.

Given that the CO2 existed in air before it was separated and compressed I don't think it's so bad. Best stop drinking beer and fizzy drinks too

 

[Az.]

Given that the CO2 existed in air before it was separated and compressed I don't think it's so bad.

I was referring to use and waste culture. Energy and materials used to produce this thing. Also people who buy it tend to drop it where they were using it.

Best stop drinking beer and fizzy drinks too

I have.