Puncture - repair it or new inner tube??

[skt71]

Posted in the welcome mat a few weeks ago, and been enjoying my cycling since, on a Carrera tdf from Halfords. Had to replace the tyres a few weeks ago, as I'd flat-spotted the back tyre, and it was wearing through,. Replaced them with Continental Ultra Gator Skin tyres, and have been amazed at the difference in the last few rides.

Out yesterday, and unfortunately got a puncture. Have tried fixing it tonight twice, but I seem to being having problems getting the patch to properly stick and the orange bit to form a nice seal. It's a recurring problem of mine - fixed punctures, then tyres deflated a week later and finally went went through six patches last time, before I gave in and bought a new inner tube.

Feel pretty stupid asking, but, can anyone give me some advice on fixing punctures, and applying the patch??

Or, is it just easier to spend £4 on a new inner tube???

Thanks

 

[vickster]

I've never repaired one. You can get 5 tubes from Halfords for a tenner (indeed £9 if a British Cycling member),,,life's too short!

 

[TissoT]

Buy new Tubes ...

 

[Hugh Manatee]

Roughen up the tube with a bit of sandpaper before applying the glue. You have to let the glue go almost dry before you put the patch on. I then use a pump (or rolling pin if at home) to make sure all the edges are stuck down. The idea is that the glue sort of melts the orange part of the patch.

Don't forget to sand a little bit of chalk over the repair. It'll stop the tube sticking to the tyre. Flour works OK if you're at home!

 

[Sharky]

I always repair my inner tubes. One of those skills you need to be able to do when you are miles from home and already gone through the two spare inner tubes you've been carrying.

I also used to repair my "tubs" in the old days as well.

Must be lots of guides on the web, but
- find the hole , sometimes using a bowl full of water, sometimes you can run the tube next to your lips.
- rough up the area with sandpaper
- apply rubber solution to tube and leave to dry, then apply the patch.
- use the chalk powder to take away any glue left on tube.
- check the inside of the tyre for any flints that could still be there
- test the repair by using the bowl of water. Sometimes, there is more than one hole in the tube.
- inflate and leave overnight to make sure it's ok.
- then refit to wheel

Good luck
Keith

 

[MMMMMike]

As per Keith's reply. I carry a spare tube or two depending on distance to be ridden. And repair the punctured tubes when I back home. I carry self adhesive patches and co2 canisters' etc. for if I run out of spares. Again I pretty much follow Keith's method of repairing.

 

[Paulus]

As above from MMMMMike, I always carry a couple of good tubes and repair them at home if I get a puncture out on the road. it is much easier to do it at home than on the roadside in the rain.

 

[Jenkins]

Try the glueless patches such as Park or Topeak as they seem to work better for me - and you don't have to carry the glue to fix flats while out and about.

 

[rb58]

I repair mine too in exactly the same way as above. But I save them up until there's a job lot to do.

 

[cyberknight]

I always repair my inner tubes. One of those skills you need to be able to do when you are miles from home and already gone through the two spare inner tubes you've been carrying.

I also used to repair my "tubs" in the old days as well.

Must be lots of guides on the web, but
- find the hole , sometimes using a bowl full of water, sometimes you can run the tube next to your lips.
- rough up the area with sandpaper
- apply rubber solution to tube and leave to dry, then apply the patch.
- use the chalk powder to take away any glue left on tube.
- check the inside of the tyre for any flints that could still be there
- test the repair by using the bowl of water. Sometimes, there is more than one hole in the tube.
- inflate and leave overnight to make sure it's ok.
- then refit to wheel

Good luck
Keith

The highlighted bit could be the problem , with gators you need to also check the outside for any embedded bits of glass /grit in any small cuts as they can cause recurring punctures if you don`t get them out .

 

[Dave 123]

As stated, rough up tube, let the glue go tacky

THEN

If I'm at home I put some form of weight on the patch to make sure it sticks.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

I am really surprised, not had one on my front in over 8,000 miles, I had two pinch punctures on the rear after hitting stones hard, one so hard it dented the rim, these usually leave two small holes where the tube has been pinched against the rim, and resembles a snake bite. The last took a chunk of rubber off the tyre, but it was still ridable.

 

[Sharky]

I am really surprised, not had one on my front in over 8,000 miles.

Hope the PF hasn't heard you
Cheers Keith

 

[Nigelnaturist]

@Sharky forgot about her, seriously though the track to the house is strewn with all many kinds of debris broken glass ect, they even bounce over twigs pretty well (providing they are not branches, avoid them the bike being a pretend road bike)

 

[Mongoose]

I think you've been unlucky with the Ultra Gatorskins. I had 5 punctures in the first two weeks of owning my TDF. Switching to Gatorskins is the only bit of good advice I've ever had from Halfords! Mine have been good for over 2,000 miles now. I never managed to fix a 700c tube while out and about and even found it difficult back at home.10 tubes for £27 on eBay helped me to make up my mind. Much quicker and easier to change the tube than fix the puncture.

The Gatorskins have been very faithful to me to date so I generally only carry one spare tube and hope I don't face an expensive taxi ride home.