How many times do you patch an inner tube?

[biking_fox]

Weird flat tyre which seemed to have been caused by the hot temps causing at least one of the patches to become unglued. On inspection I realised this had 5 patches on it altogether, and so just replaced it.

As a utility/commuter cyclist it's a balance between having a trustworthy ride ready every day, and expense. A tube isn't that much, but I get a few punctures a year I guess, so it mounts up.

Normally I'll replace tube if I'm riding and then try to remember to patch in comfortable conditions at home.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Patch it.As long as not on top of another patch it’s good as new.

 

[Alex321]

I just keep patching until I can't get it to hold air after a patch any more.

Which usually means when I have to put new patches on top of existing ones.

 

[Chris S]

As long as there is something to patch it on to.

 

[fossyant]

About 3 usually, but by the time that happens, the tube is very old. I know someone who has more patches than tube, but you know who you are !

 

[Ian H]

Patch it.As long as not on top of another patch it’s good as new.

I'm assuming you don't mean self-adhesive ones.

 

[I like Skol]

Old topic, done to death.... Use the search function!

 

[PaulSB]

Only if I run out of tubes on a ride. I'm tubeless these days but in my tubed days, once perhaps twice.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

I'm assuming you don't mean self-adhesive ones.

I don’t

 

[sevenfourate]

Zero. But i'm the only one 'brave' enough to admit so far

I've neither the time or patience for faffing with any sort of road-side repair.

If this was a 'hair-washing' thread - i'd be a wash and go sort of guy.........
(As you can see from my Avatar)

 

[Tail End Charlie]

Probably a couple of times before I bin the tube. About the same for tyres too. By the time I've had two punctures through the tyre, I figure it's God's way of telling me to change it.

 

[sevenfourate]

Probably a couple of times before I bin the tube. About the same for tyres too. By the time I've had two punctures through the tyre, I figure it's God's way of telling me to change it.

Just aswell you've not had my 'luck' with the puncture fairy lately. Or you'd be £30 into inner-tubes. And about £200 in tyres........

 

[Alex321]

Zero. But i'm the only one 'brave' enough to admit so far

I've neither the time or patience for faffing with any sort of road-side repair.

If this was a 'hair-washing' thread - i'd be a wash and go sort of guy.........
(As you can see from my Avatar)

This isn't about roadside repairs. I only ever patch at the roadside if I have already used the spare tube I carry, and got another puncture.

But after replacing the tube while out, I will then patch the puncture when I get home, then keep that tube as the spare.

 

[sevenfourate]

This isn't about roadside repairs. I only ever patch at the roadside if I have already used the spare tube I carry, and got another puncture.

But after replacing the tube while out, I will then patch the puncture when I get home, then keep that tube as the spare.

I have repaired. Depends where my stocks of tubes / spares stash sits. But only to arrive at the same situation as you; of using the patched tube as a 'spare' of some sort.

But wasteful as it is (*I presume tubes do get recycled....uses alot of Energy to do so however i'm sure) it's not currently on my radar to repair roadside. Or in the comfort of my own home.. Or anywhere else for that matter....

 

[a.twiddler]

Depends where the hole is. If it's a straightforward repair, fair enough. Having recumbents with hub gears, it's easier to patch it with the wheel in place if it punctures on the road, if you can find the cause of the puncture easily. My previous strategy would have been to fit a spare tube, and patch at home. There's a certain feeling of virtue in re using something that you've fixed yourself, but once it has more than a few the increased chances of a patch failing outweigh the peace of mind that carrying a new unused tube gives.