Patches

[Shoogle]

Has anybody tried making patches from old bits of inner tube?

[pete75]

Yes it works.

[Brucey]

yes, a long time ago, as an emergency measure ( a three-tube, four patch, ten plus puncture day out.... ).

It works, sort of, if you are desperate.

cheers

[WestcoastPete]

I've just started doing this, using Shoe Goo to glue. Unlike regular patches, you need to apply the glue to both surfaces and allow it to become tacky. I did my first one over a month ago and it's still holding. Haven't had any flats on the 10+ bikes in the household since then, but have some patches cut out and sanded back (the sanding bit is essential), along with a syringe of Shoe Goo in my saddle bag.

We'll see how it goes. I got the idea from a guy who has done it for years without problems, so thought I'd give it a try. Waste not want not and all that...

[rjb]

I've been doing this for about 6 months now. As westcoastpete says it depends on the preparation. You have to be thorough when preparing the patch. I use a sanding disc in an electric drill and sand a large section of old inner tube first then cut it up in to patch size pieces. When applying the patch you have to apply rubber cement to the patch as well as the tube and let them dry before putting them in contact. So far it works a treat - make do and mend. The thicker the patch the better i would think so if you can find some thicker inner tubes so much the better.