Re: [CR] patching bike tubes

(Example: Framebuilders:Masi)

Date: Fri, 18 Sep 2009 15:04:57 -0400
From: "Jack Countryman" <jcountry@mac.com>
To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Thread-topic: patching bike tubes
Thread-index: Aco4kumomS5xDJkEsEyO4bCqfMoO4Q==
In-Reply-To: <mailman.2835.1253294132.524.classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Subject: Re: [CR] patching bike tubes


I'd be suspicious/very careful with sandpaper or the abrasive on wood 'spoons' or metal 'scrapers' when used on tubes as thin as those in use on many of today's bike tires...especially tubulars or the lighter/thinner clinchers. A better tactic is to get some of the 'buffer' or rubber tube cleaner compound from the local auto parts store. This typically comes in pint or quart metal containers, and is used to clean the area of the tube to be patched before the glue is applied. (If you watch closely you will likely still see this used at the auto tire repair shops...but I've never seen it in patch kits, nor have I seen it for sale in small quantities. It seems to be largely alcohol or similar material, and so will evaporate quickly if the container is not resealed tightly.) Modern glues/patches are 'cold vulcanizing' and so do not need the application of flame or heat to adhere to the tube nor the use of the vise or clamp to hold the patch in place while it cures.

Tire patch glue, like other such compounds, likely deteriorates with exposure to air. If the tube of glue is still sealed in the tube (ie being used for the first time) you are probably good...but if its been open and not re-sealed tightly, who knows? Try a new tube of glue from a new patch kit? (the glue and patches are also available in bulk or larger quantities at auto supply shops...though note that the patches for cars/trucks are often thicker/larger/stiffer than desired for bike tubes. One of the companies (Rema?) that made bike patch kits used to sell their patches in bulk years ago...I think I still have a box with several of those patches still in it.)

When patching car tires/tubes, we were also taught to use a tool with a roller wheel to get the tube seated tightly to the tube, and especially to get the edges of the patch tight to the tire/tube. I've never seen such a tool used in bike patch kits...and they would be bulky/cumbersome/heavy to carry. I confess I do use both the buffer and the roller when patching tubes at home...but I carry an extra tube or two and wait till I get home to patch punctures unless I've used all the tubes I had with me. (For the same reason, we always used to carry one or sometimes two tubular tires when riding those...so we could wait till we got back before trying to find and patch holes in tubulars.)

Jack Countryman Greensburg, IN. USA (Who can remember patching car tires/tubes back when you did burn the glue and then clamp the patch in place...50 years or so ago) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> Date: Fri, 18 Sep 2009 11:06:28 -0500
> From: John Hurley <JHurley@jdabrams.com>
> Subject: [CR] Patching Tubes
>
> I've had really poor results lately trying to patch inner tubes. Could it be
> that the inner tube material has been changed somehow? Or, which seems more
> likely, does the cement age and lose its effectiveness? I'm using a rather
> ancient tube of Rema Tip Top cement, which is still quite fluid and not at all
> dried out, but this is where my suspicions lie. Is it true that ordinary
> rubber cement will work just as well? What does the punditry have to say
> about rubbing the surface with sandpaper? And finally, I have a dim
> recollection of flame being applied, sort of a Cherries Jubilee approach to
> tire repair. Comments?
>
> Bon app?tit,
> John Hurley
> Austin, Texas, USA