Puncture repair patches...

[ianrauk]

I don't like much of anything from Halfords

Don't see why not.
Cheap stuff like inner tubes, lube, oils and repair kits all work fine. And if they are cheaper then other places then they get my money.

 

[hoopdriver]

I don't rate their patch kits at all, certainly not comared with Rema - the glue is far better on Rema, and so are the patches. Use them and the repair is generally stronger than the tube as a whole.

I'm all for saving money, but I like value as well

 

[guitarpete247]

I have some Slime Skabs ans some EBC glueless patches. Luckily not had to use either yet.

The solution goes on to the tube, after being roughened with sandpaper so it will key in. When tacky, the patch is put on to the glue, foil side down (foil removed first, of course!). The patch is pressured on with the fingers and finally stretch out so as to split the paper, which is removed in pieces FROM THE MIDDLE so as not to lift the edges of the patch.

After peeling off the paper don't forget to dust with powder. Either a sprinkling of talc or grated from the block of stuff that comes in most kits. It stops the tube sticking to the inside of the tyre.

 

[PoweredByVeg]

Wish I'd read this before replacing a tube 3 times on a 200k Sunday Made the schoolboy error of gluing the patch wrong side down, then wondering why it was completely flat again 100 metres up the road! That was after the replacement tube also punctured!

And another thing while I'm moaning, patches don't work too well when the hole is right by the seam on the tube, which I also found out by biter experience

 

[MrJamie]

The worst thing is when it happens in winter when its freezing and your fingers are getting colder and colder and then you find out the glue stuff barely works when its cold and takes an age to stick if it works at all.

I really struggled to peel the patches off the backing paper without completely buggering them up too, never tried the way Brommyboy suggests though.

 

[TheDoctor]

Is there a reason not to leave the backing film on there?

 

[albion]

I have just repaired half a dozen tubes. They are currently Michelin Man size whilst I confirm they are 100% 'like new'.

Has anyone else noticed that they all blow up to different sizes with some, even Michelin ones, being of varying thickness?

 

[threefingerjoe]

"I've had a couple of park tools glueless patches peel off after time, quick get you home fix though!"

I've had this same experience, sometimes after thousands of miles. I still carry them, though, along with a spare tube. Spare tube is for the first puncture. If I have another, it will get a Park's glueless. If I repair at home in the garage, I'll use the old-fashioned glue type.

 

[al-fresco]

I find that Scabs work fine on big fat MTB tubes but are, at best, a 'get you home' job with smaller road tubes. I always seem to end up with a flat tyre the following morning and end up binning the tube. On the other hand Topeak patches really work great on small, high pressure tubes.

 

[tyred]

!

And another thing while I'm moaning, patches don't work too well when the hole is right by the seam on the tube, which I also found out by biter experience

That should be fine but you need to remove the ridge on the seam first. I use sandpaper but Jobst Brand recommends a Bic disposable razor.

 

[PoweredByVeg]

Good advice there Tyred

 

[Spiky Simon]

Is there a reason not to leave the backing film on there?

this is what I do, too -- getting the backing off is just too fiddly.

 

[Jdratcliffe]

this is what I do, too -- getting the backing off is just too fiddly.

i let the glue set and then soak the back off with water

 

[Brommyboy]

Looking back at this thread: the paper covering can ball up if left on, and this will eventually chafe into another hole! The worst condition to patch is when it's raining. One temporary way to repair the tube is to wrap insulation tape right around the tube, so that it sticks to itself. It will stretch with the tube when inflating within the tyre.