Well, I always have but even more than ever with the prices of tubes. I'll say $9 each and that is being nice as I see many others far more on ebay.
I flatted twice in the last couple of weeks which is very unusual seeing I might flat 3 times per year. I keep plenty of tubes but though I am not cheap or tight, I hate having to pay for things that I don't need to pay for. I keep a stash of about 15 tubes at all times. 2 in one bike, 2 in another, and 1 in another all roadies. Then a bag of 10 tucked away in a air tight container. I just like to be prepared.
I have always patched with vulcanizing patches. Tried stick on in emergencies and still carry a few on rides as well as 2 spare tubes. But the sticky patches don't last as long as the vulcanizing. Last well but had better luck with vulcanizing. So I patch here and there. Sometimes I might say heck with it and just throw a tube away.
But lately with the price of tubes, I collected the last 5 that have flatted due to punctures. Last night I flatted so on the remainder of the ride, I was thinking what I want to do with the punctures at this point seeing I had 5 now.
Today, I took the time to locate all the holes, then patch them with vulcanizing patches. All went well so what I did was replace the new tubes on the bikes with the vulcanized patches then place the newer undamaged tubes back into the seat packs and some in my stash.
Hours later, all the tubes are still holding fine so as I expected, all went well and were easily patched. Versus some that are hard to get to, like seams or inside diameter punctures, snake bites. I don't repair that type, I toss them.
So now it seems I have saved at $9 per tube, crazy prices these days, I just saved about 45 bucks!
I've always had a problem tossing a perfectly good easily patchable tube. Some of my friends talk about rotational weight of the patches, OK whatever!
FTR, been using vulcanized patches since 2005 and only had one slow leak failure but I had suspected it would do so, tried it anyway as an experiment. Now I know, if it doesn't feel right, it isn't.
I just can't see throwing away money like that. I've even had friends in need and was able to install a patched tube on their bikes allowing them to use their last tube as the saddle bag extra.
But I do not carry them as spares on rides. I have had other ride partners pull out failed patched tubes. I like to install mine at home and leave them for 24 our before riding to verify a good installation.
Question
Mr. Beanz
Well, I always have but even more than ever with the prices of tubes. I'll say $9 each and that is being nice as I see many others far more on ebay.
I flatted twice in the last couple of weeks which is very unusual seeing I might flat 3 times per year. I keep plenty of tubes but though I am not cheap or tight, I hate having to pay for things that I don't need to pay for. I keep a stash of about 15 tubes at all times. 2 in one bike, 2 in another, and 1 in another all roadies. Then a bag of 10 tucked away in a air tight container. I just like to be prepared.
I have always patched with vulcanizing patches. Tried stick on in emergencies and still carry a few on rides as well as 2 spare tubes. But the sticky patches don't last as long as the vulcanizing. Last well but had better luck with vulcanizing. So I patch here and there. Sometimes I might say heck with it and just throw a tube away.
But lately with the price of tubes, I collected the last 5 that have flatted due to punctures. Last night I flatted so on the remainder of the ride, I was thinking what I want to do with the punctures at this point seeing I had 5 now.
Today, I took the time to locate all the holes, then patch them with vulcanizing patches. All went well so what I did was replace the new tubes on the bikes with the vulcanized patches then place the newer undamaged tubes back into the seat packs and some in my stash.
Hours later, all the tubes are still holding fine so as I expected, all went well and were easily patched. Versus some that are hard to get to, like seams or inside diameter punctures, snake bites. I don't repair that type, I toss them.
So now it seems I have saved at $9 per tube, crazy prices these days, I just saved about 45 bucks!
I've always had a problem tossing a perfectly good easily patchable tube. Some of my friends talk about rotational weight of the patches, OK whatever!
FTR, been using vulcanized patches since 2005 and only had one slow leak failure but I had suspected it would do so, tried it anyway as an experiment. Now I know, if it doesn't feel right, it isn't.
I just can't see throwing away money like that. I've even had friends in need and was able to install a patched tube on their bikes allowing them to use their last tube as the saddle bag extra.
But I do not carry them as spares on rides. I have had other ride partners pull out failed patched tubes. I like to install mine at home and leave them for 24 our before riding to verify a good installation.
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