I’m pretty sure you’ve been through a scenario where you couldn’t wait to go for a ride on your bike but found to your dismay that the bike rim is pressing against the pavement and are experiencing a flat tire. You now have a decision to make.
Would it be better to replace the inner tube with the spare you have stashed away, or should you use that patching kit?
When you have a flat tire on your bike, it is faster and easier to replace the inner tube for convenience and simplicity. However, replacing inner tubes is costly and unnecessary if repairs are possible. Repair the tubes if they are safe and repairable.
Patching is never an easy exercise, especially if you have not done it in a while. It is easy to fall onto the idea of simply replacing the tube rather than patching it up. However, having a patching kit on hand is vital to secure the longevity of your tires. With that said, what are the benefits of choosing to patch over replacing your tube?
Why Is Using Repair Kits The Better Option?
An emergency patch kit should always be kept on hand, especially if you skip patching and replace a tube. Depending on the cause of the puncture, there is no guarantee that it won’t happen again.
In the end, it is up to you to decide whether to replace or repair your flat inner tube based on the area and situation. It can take you anywhere between 10 and 35 minutes to take off a tire, patch a tiny hole, and roll the tube back on, depending on your experience.
Depending on the patch job quality, you may be able to continue your journey and make it home; maybe it may last as long as the material of the tube if you did the patch job correctly. Another great reason to keep repair kits onboard is that tire repair kits are undoubtedly cheaper than the cost of a new tube.
However, you often may prefer to replace the punctured tire with a new tube and repair the punctured tube when you have a little more time at home or on your next stop, where the area may be less hazardous to do so.
Having two spares and a repair kit on board is a good call for the regular day-to-day ride. Patching up a flat tire should always be the first choice if it is available and replacing a tube when the tube has a puncture too big to patch.
Is Bike Tube Patching Reliable?
If done correctly, conventional vulcanizing patches for inner tubes are as dependable and long-lasting as the tube itself. There is some technique involved in applying them, but not much.
It takes 2-5 minutes for the adhesive to properly vulcanize and then the patch to firm up correctly. Two spare tubes, a spare tire
, a standard Remo patch kit, and the stick-on Park patches are all you need to take along for a long run.
Today, “glueless” repairs are a popular alternative. Lezyne Smart Patch Kit and the Park tools Super Patch Kit are two of the best glueless patches I’ve used. In general, you should avoid “puffy” patches that can snag on the inside of the tire or rim and peel off when you roll the tire back on.
However, Lezyne smart Patch Kit and Park tools Super Patch Kit are not the only kits that work. With that said, here are some of the Best puncture repair kits that you can find locally or online are:
- Rema Tip Top TT02 Touring
Rema Tip Top, a German brand, is the Old Spice of inner tube repair. It’s most likely the one most of our fathers used back in their days, and it’s available at any reputable bike store.
You may discover several versions appropriate for road, touring, or mountain bike width tubes in a tiny box packed with the best adhesive, patches, and a little square of hardwearing emery cloth.
- Lifeline 8-piece
This eight-piece Lifeline set from Wiggle’s tool collection is a cyclist’s must-have. It’s a vulcanizing kit, so it also comes with adhesive and sandpaper. It consists of six patches, four tapered-edge 20mm versions, and two 30x20mm rectangles.
- Nutrak Puncture Repair Kit
Forget about your six-pack; Nutrak includes a ten-pack in this repair kit. The ten patches, which are mounted on foil and measure 25mm in diameter, are identical.
The patches are thin and flexible, with tapered edges, and are designed to interact with the tube’s form, preventing the edges from peeling while offering good protection.
- Park Tool VP-1 Vulcanising Patch Kit
The VP-1 comes with three sets of patches that will meet most of your hole-sealing needs, including 20mm and 25mm round patches, as well as an oval patch measuring 25mm by 35mm.
How Long Does A Patched Tube Last?
When done correctly, a patch will last as long as the remainder of the tube; however, glueless patches are not as durable as vulcanizing patches.
The key to an effective patch is to prepare the surface beforehand carefully. Tubes develop an oxide coating on the surface, making adhesion difficult until you sand it off or clean it with a solvent.
Traditional “glue” patches use a chemical that interacts with the rubber and prepares it to combine with the patch’s suitable chemical to establish a permanent connection. Before applying the patch, it must be completely dry.
If you can, attempt to avoid patching on the road by repairing your tubes at home and keeping them as spares. You save money every time you save a tire and get the most out of every tube this way.
Conclusion
Having a suitable patching kit with you on your trips is essential, especially if a new tube that you have just changed goes flat for whatever reason.
If you are on the road, patch jobs could be troublesome, and you might not have the time or patience to do it correctly; that is when replacing the tube may be the best option.
However, that tube could still be patched when you get home or if you can find time at your next stop, as the tube could still be perfectly usable after being correctly repaired.