thielges@uiucdcsb.UUCP (10/05/84)
Since I usually end up patching a lot of tubes (more than 20 so far this year) I thought I'd share a little info on the techniques which I have found to help. First of all, the best patch kit I've found so far is the Rema "Tip-Top" kit. Others I've tried are the Schwinn kit and the Bike Nashbar "best kit ever". The Schwinn kit was pretty bad, but the Nashbar kit might be OK, I didn't try any more than the 6 patches which came with it (2 failed). My main gripe of the Nashbar kit is that the glue comes in 6 individual pellets which you have to use all of once you open one. I like to cut the large long patches into two smaller when I run out of small patches but the 6 glue pellets limit me to only 6 patchs. Everything else here applies to the Rema kit. To find the hole, pump the tube up and listen for the air hissing through the hole. If you are lucky(?), the hole will be big enough to find quickly. If you still can't find it, dunk the tube in some water and look for bubbles. This may not be possible in some places on the road, so I would suggest perfecting the 'dry' technique. Once you have found the hole, mark it. The best markers I have found are an orange permenant marker (survives the scrubbing step and becomes EASIER to see) or a partner's thumb. Scrub it well with the sand paper, concentrating on wearing down the nearby ribs. Apply glue liberally and put the patch ONLY (orange side down) on the glue spot. The Rema instructions evidently say to leave the clear cellophane on, but I have yet to make a successful patch this way. Tack the edges down. This may require extra glue. Try to stay on the edges. Now take the foil (you DID save it, didn't you ?) and place it over the patch. Put a weight over it and let sit 2-15 minutes. The longer, the better the patch. One extra hint... If you like to fold your tubes really small, remove the valve core and roll the tube up starting from the end farthest from the valve. Replace the core, unroll and fold. Valve core removers which double as valve caps should be available at most bike shops for < $.50 . I was stuck in the sticks with a new tube that had a misadjusted valve once, so I'll never be without one again. Any suggestions or corrections to this procedure are welcome except spelling error flames. Bart Thielges
harris@uiucdcsb.UUCP (10/05/84)
The cellophane is scored with an X pattern on top of the patch, the idea being that after the patch has been glued down you remove the cellophane starting from the center of the patch, not the edges, so as not to lift an edge pre- maturely. The cellophane makes it easy to handle the patch without touching the adhesive bottom (after the foil is removed). It may also help keep the rubber from drying out? Don't forget to inspect the tire for the cause of the puncture! Remember where the punctured section of the tube fit into the tire, and inspect the inside and outside of the tire for the offending particles. If the puncture was big and deep enough to put a noticeable slash through the casing, you might want to cover up the slash with a piece of tape on the inside of the tire. I agree that those are the best patches I've seen on the market. The key seems to be the ultra-thin edges. Jon Harris harris@uiucdcsb
hawk@oliven.UUCP (Rick) (10/10/84)
What's a flat tire? After my first flat within a week of buying my bike, I decided not to have any more--I put on thorn-proof tubes and the Mr. Tuffy liner. The salesman says that this sin't foolproof--but he's only had one flat this way in the last four years. A couple of days later I pulled out a quarter inch thorn from the tire--it had probably been there for about seven miles. I also carry a spare tube (normal), a crescent wrench, a screwdriver, and a valve tool in my seatbag. rick
kfl@hoxna.UUCP (Kenton Lee) (10/11/84)
xxx I would recommend "tire savers", also known as "nail pullers", instead of those tire inserts. I've had a pair on my bike for the last 6000 miles and have only had 1 flat (from a big piece of glass). Tire savers only cost $1.50 and give you none of the performance penalties that tire inserts do. They work fine with all clincher and sew-up tires. -- Kenton Lee, Bell Labs - WB 1D302, x7178 wb3g!kfl or hoxna!kfl