MTFCA Forum

Between a dozen or so Clincher hi-pressure Tires, I have a couple of either new, or fairly new tubes that now have small holes in them. With that said, I want to purchase a quality patching kit to use in the shop or carry with me on tours to repair a tube. I prefer a top quality patch because of the nature of what can happen while driving when a tire goes flat.

So, in searching for a 'Truck Tube Repair' kit, I have found several brands and types. One says it is "self-vulcanizing" (-is that good or bad?). Another one has the Vulcanizing Glue to be used with the Patch, -and several others show it being made for Radial Tires and a few lists theirs as being for "...Heavy Duty Bias-ply Repair Patch for Truck & Tractor tires". I seem to be struggling to find a patch specifically designed for a Bias Ply Tube. Am I over-thinking this or is a tire patch suitable for a tube too? Is there a brand and or patch that you would recommend??

TIA

I have not had good luck with anything available on the market these days. I carry a spare innertube now.

Hot patches are best, if you can find any. Monkey Grip used to be a dependable brand.

My patch is a new inner tube.

UPDATE:

I called a local Coop and asked them. They gave me the number of their local TECH distributor. Before I called him, I reached out to the corporate company tech support to get their opinion(s). There is a difference between a Tire vs a Tube patch. They are not interchangeable. They also said there is not any detectable difference between a cold bond or a heat vulcanized bond however their recommended cement can be used either way.

Here are the links to the products they recommended;

Tube Patch; https://www.techtiresupply.com/product/ ... product/13


Cement; https://www.techtiresupply.com/product/760


Cleaner; https://www.techtiresupply.com/search?q=704A

Whatever product you use, follow directions to the letter. Surface preparation is important, and many glues and solvents will deteriorate in storage, so use fresh product.

You can buy cold patch inner tube kits at Walmart, the auto parts store, bike shops and online.

The last two kits I bought were Slime brand - one at Autozone and one last summer at Walmart.

You might want to pick up extra tubes of cement because, once you open a tube, it doesn't keep well. If need be, you can buy small tubes of Slime or other brands of rubber cement separately instead of buying an entire inner tube repair kit. Un-used patches keep forever.

Ever since I was a kid I've patched many more bicycle tubes than antique car tubes and have never had a problem with cold patches. The tires on my current bike can be inflated to 95 PSI. My mother was an avid cyclist until age 85 and the tires on her last road bike, which has Presta valve inner tubes and is now sitting in my basement, are rated at 110 PSI. She never had a problem with cold patches.

I also pick up the occasional free bicycle and flip it on Craigslist. Nine times out of ten, they have an inner tube that needs to be patched.