Punctured inner tubes, save or bin?

[MacB]

I keep them so that I can hang them up the shed and look at them from time to time, thinking "I must repair those tubes sometime"

I'm not alone then

 

[MacB]

Or neither. Converted the wheels to tubeless on the mountain bike. So far no punctures in a month, which for me is a record. I usually get at least one puncture a month.

Before tubeless I used to chuck the tyre after the third patch (ish).

I keep looking at Stans Notubes, how did you do the conversion, any special kit barring the Stans, or similar, stuff?

 

[HLaB]

This reminds me, I patched a spare tube last night, I'd better pump it up to see if the job was a good one.

Edit the job seems a good one the tube is still solid after 2hrs

 

[tyred]

I always fix and I don't understand why anyone wouldn't. It seems such a waste to bin a tube just because there is a tiny hole in it. It can be repaired in a few minutes and I have never had a patch come off, even after fixing them at the roadside in the rain. Use Rema Tip Top, they are so much better and easier to use than anything you buy in the pound shop.

To anyone who thinks they can't repair a tube, take an old wheel and stick drawing pins through the tyre and then fix the punctures.

Then do the same but do it in the dark in a gale force wind with driving rain to simulate typical roadside conditions when you get a spate of punctures miles from anywhere.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

I will patch my MTB tyres a max of 4 times. (Unless like in my last marathon I am so pee'd off that I had a puncture on a great downhill stretch that the inner tube gets chucked straight away)

 

[Alun]

I spoke to a bloke that patches tubes almost indefinately. His view was that they never puncture in the same place twice, I suppose he had a point there!

 

[Cosmicned]

After a couple of punctures on the Hybrid I kept the old inner tubes - cut them along the inner seam, removed the valve and used them wrapped around the new inner tube as additional protection - adds a bit of weight BUT (touch wood) the puncture fairy hasn't returned in 10 months of nasty commutes along thorny tow paths and glass strewn roads... hey... re-cycle dude...!

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Interesting idea. Similar in principle to a tyre boot.

After a couple of punctures on the Hybrid I kept the old inner tubes - cut them along the inner seam, removed the valve and used them wrapped around the new inner tube as additional protection - adds a bit of weight BUT (touch wood) the puncture fairy hasn't returned in 10 months of nasty commutes along thorny tow paths and glass strewn roads... hey... re-cycle dude...!

 

[Davidc]

I used to bin them, but these fancy new self-adhesive patches are so quick and mess-free I can fix the tube in seconds and move on.

Agree with this. (But still have some of the old glue-on ones left as well!)

I change the tube when/where they happen and mend the puncture at home, except of course when several come at once like busses.

I have 2 wheels plus old tyres and rims at home, one 26" one a 700c, and test the repaired tube on them, preferably for a month. Then the repaired tube goes back in the tool bag.

I don't get many punctures in these days of puncture resistant tyres, using marathons (no plus or enhancements) on the tourer and Kenda slicks on the utility bike. Averages out at about one every 1500 miles, and that's usually on the canal path.

 

[Herzog]

I can't understand why anyone would bin a punctured tube. Is it just puncture apathy, ability? If you can't fix a puncture, you really should persist and learn, otherwise you could find yourself with a long walk one day, if you couldn't be bothered, well pffftt, you've more money than me then.

I bin them because I've got a pile of repaired old tubes in the corner of my workshop, which I know I'll probably never use. No point adding to them.

 

[martint235]

I can't understand why anyone would bin a punctured tube. Is it just puncture apathy, ability? If you can't fix a puncture, you really should persist and learn, otherwise you could find yourself with a long walk one day, if you couldn't be bothered, well pffftt, you've more money than me then.

Or less manual ability. Please don't discount my lack of ability that requires any dexterity whatsoever. DIY, repairing inner tubes, drawing a straight line with a ruler, all these things are beyond me!! Cack-handed is an ability level I aspire to!!

 

[Cubist]

TO those who have had patches lift, put he repaired tube straight back on the bike and pump to max pressure. The pressure against the casing helps weld the seal. If you stuff a repaired tube in a bag or pack as soon as you've done it the glue won't set in the stretched shape. . My theory anyway!

 

[raindog]

Chucking an inner tube away because it's got a pinhole in it? No wonder the world's resources are diminishing. People have so much money they'd rather chuck something away and buy a new one rather than repair. Am I really the only one worried about this attitude?

 

[tyred]

Chucking an inner tube away because it's got a pinhole in it? No wonder the world's resources are diminishing. People have so much money they'd rather chuck something away and buy a new one rather than repair. Am I really the only one worried about this attitude?

I agree. I've always had a repair not replace attitude to most things. If I say something is past it, then it really and genuinely is.

 

[lulubel]

I collect punctured tubes, look at them occasionally, and then think, "Nah, better things to do."

I figure, if I collect them now while I have the money, if a day comes when I can't afford new ones, I'll have a nice stock of punctured ones to repair and use.