Bicycle Inner Tube Patches Page

Pump some air into the tube. Listen for a hiss or feel for airflow. If you’re at home, submerge the tube in water; a stream of bubbles will pinpoint even the tiniest "slow leak."

This is the most important step. Use the small square of sandpaper in your kit to roughen the area around the hole. This removes the slippery molding agents from the factory and gives the cement a textured surface to grip.

Spread a thin, even layer of the fluid over an area slightly larger than the patch. Wait 2–3 minutes. The fluid needs to be "tacky" or nearly dry to the touch before you apply the patch. Bicycle Inner Tube Patches

These are essentially heavy-duty stickers. They are incredibly convenient and fast, but they are generally considered temporary. Over time, the adhesive can dry out or peel, so they are best used to get you home.

These kits come with a small tube of "rubber cement." This isn't actually glue; it’s a chemical agent that melts the patch and the tube together into a single, seamless piece of rubber. Once cured, the patch is often stronger than the rest of the tube. How to Patch a Tube in 5 Steps Pump some air into the tube

If you want a repair that lasts, follow this process for a vulcanizing patch:

Before putting the tube back in, run your fingers carefully along the inside of your tire. If the thorn, glass, or wire that caused the flat is still stuck in the tire, it will pop your newly patched tube instantly. When to Toss the Tube Use the small square of sandpaper in your

The cut is a long "snake bite" (two parallel slits caused by hitting a curb). The tube is already covered in more than 3–4 patches.