Weird foam like glueless patches

[NickNick]

I bought a saddle bag from Lidl a few weeks back and as well as the normal multi tools it was meant to include tyre patches.

Now I've always used the old fashioned patch & glue so have no experience of glueless ones. The patches that were included took me aback a bit as they don't seem to be made out of the normal rubber type material, but instead they're a rectangle with a squidgy almost foam like texture, is this normal?

 

[midlife]

Did someone at Lidl leave some of their lunch in the saddle bag..........square jaffa cakes?

 

[MontyVeda]

I bought a saddle bag from Lidl a few weeks back and as well as the normal multi tools it was meant to include tyre patches.

Now I've always used the old fashioned patch & glue so have no experience of glueless ones. The patches that were included took me aback a bit as they don't seem to be made out of the normal rubber type material, but instead they're a rectangle with a squidgy almost foam like texture, is this normal?

I've still got some foamy patches... they certainly work as well as something more traditional, providing you rough up the tyre with emory paper and give the patch a 60 second squeeze to ensure a good bond. Old fashioned patches are just a faff in comparison.

 

[Globalti]

Almost anything sticky would do fine as it's going to be pressed against the inside of the tyre. I would even use vinyl tape in an emergency as long as I could stick it on the tube semi inflated so it wasn't too stretched once pumped up.

 

[Drago]

I once used evo stick and a slice of old inner tube in an emergency. Ran for several years until I eventually replaced to toob and tyre together.

 

[KnackeredBike]

The only disadvantage I can see is that with the thin ones you can give them a good rub to warm them up. Without any real evidence I feel they are likely to stick a bit better.

The foam could be an advantage if you can't find what has caused the puncture though. I normally use an glued patch in those circumstances because of the thicker backing.

Although honestly there is probably very little difference. I'm a convert to the el cheapo Wilko self adhesive patches, IMO makes repairing a puncture much quicker than replacing a tube.

 

[Globalti]

Patching a tyre from inside can work. I've seen trucks in Africa with patches stitched and riveted into a tyre and last year in Ethiopia our driver smashed the wheel into a rock, bursting the tyre. We took it to a repairer who simply cut a piece out of another tyre, fitted it inside the gash then refitted the inner tube and inflated it. I wasn't happy driving fast on that so I insisted we stayed on the space saver and kept the bodge for spare until we could buy a new tyre.

 

[CanucksTraveller]

The patches that were included took me aback a bit as they don't seem to be made out of the normal rubber type material, but instead they're a rectangle with a squidgy almost foam like texture, is this normal?

Yeah it's normal, patches come in different types. They all work.

 

[NickNick]

Thanks for the replies guys, will keep them in the saddle bag for those road side repairs where its tipping it down with rain and gluing a tube is a nightmare to do.

 

[NickNick]

The only disadvantage I can see is that with the thin ones you can give them a good rub to warm them up. Without any real evidence I feel they are likely to stick a bit better.

The foam could be an advantage if you can't find what has caused the puncture though. I normally use an glued patch in those circumstances because of the thicker backing.

Although honestly there is probably very little difference. I'm a convert to the el cheapo Wilko self adhesive patches, IMO makes repairing a puncture much quicker than replacing a tube.

How much are the Wilko self adhesives?

 

[KnackeredBike]

How much are the Wilko self adhesives?

£2.25 for eight and a bit of sandpaper if I recall. Probably a rip off for what they are, basically eight oval stickers, but they are very convenient.

 

[CanucksTraveller]

Cheap compared to the Park glueless patches.. but I'm such a fart that I still had to buy some to play with. They turned out to be quite good.

 

[NickNick]

£2.25 for eight and a bit of sandpaper if I recall. Probably a rip off for what they are, basically eight oval stickers, but they are very convenient.

I've been buying 12 Rema patches for £2 so it not too much more and I can definitely see the benefit of having some in the saddle back to use in the rain. I must have looked particularly odd the other day bending over myself on the side of the road in town trying to stop the glue getting rained on!!!

 

[cyberknight]

The only disadvantage I can see is that with the thin ones you can give them a good rub to warm them up. .

@Fnaar !

 

[mjr]

I've been buying 12 Rema patches for £2 so it not too much more and I can definitely see the benefit of having some in the saddle back to use in the rain. I must have looked particularly odd the other day bending over myself on the side of the road in town trying to stop the glue getting rained on!!!

There's usually a bus shelter or awning or something useful within reasonable walking distance, especially in town.

https://www.evanscycles.com/park-p02c-glueless-patch-kit-00103328 is currently £2.50 for 6 and they're better enough than Wilko that I don't mind it being 6 for the price of 8. (Currently cheaper than Evans store-brand clones ) If you've only a Wilko near you, they sell Skabs for £2.50 for 6 which are better than the red ones too.