12km into a ride when...

[anonymous-user]

Kermit power said:

I think that's true of these new-fangled self adhesive bits of rubbish, but a proper rubber patch with proper adhesive should leave the tube arguably better than new, if minutely heavier.

Absolutely.

I was sceptical myself but thought I would give it a try. All three failures happened within 30 miles of the patch being fitted and now I cant see the point of putting anything other than a new tube or a rubber patched tube if its an emergency. There is no point in a 'get you home patch' you may as well do the job properly rather than have the wheel out twice for one puncture.

But each to their own, I said they were fine myself until last week

[Kermit power]

yonex said:

Absolutely.

I was sceptical myself but thought I would give it a try. All three failures happened within 30 miles of the patch being fitted and now I cant see the point of putting anything other than a new tube or a rubber patched tube if its an emergency. There is no point in a 'get you home patch' you may as well do the job properly rather than have the wheel out twice for one puncture.

But each to their own, I said they were fine myself until last week

Replace the tube on the ride, then patch the punctured one back home with a proper patch, ready for next time. The only reason I carry patches at all is because I didn't then I could guarantee that p=t+1 would hold true on every ride, where p is the number of punctures, and t the number of spare tubes.

[clonmult]

Kermit power said:

Replace the tube on the ride, then patch the punctured one back home with a proper patch, ready for next time. The only reason I carry patches at all is because I didn't then I could guarantee that p=t+1 would hold true on every ride, where p is the number of punctures, and t the number of spare tubes.

Sunday was the first time in my life that p=t+1 came resoundingly (and irritatingly) true. And it was the first time that I've ever done a route with only 2 tubes and no puncture repair gumf. Thats sods law actively at work, giving me the two fingers and laughing loudly at my lack of planning.

[XitUp]

So what tyre/tube combo would people recommend to avoid this happening again?
It's an oldish Pug 10 speed so weight isn't really an issue.

[clonmult]

Everyone will have different suggestions, but I did 9+ months commuting, 50 to 60 miles per week, using schwalbe marathons with slime tubes, both on a hybrid and a cheapo full suspension mtb. Not one puncture with that combo.

I only stopped using them for regular road riding to try and gain some speed, but that was negated by way too many punctures . . .

[Kermit power]

XitUp said:

So what tyre/tube combo would people recommend to avoid this happening again?

I use Conti Gatorskins with normal tubes. No punctures so far.

[IroningMan]

clonmult said:

Git!

Although some of that can be down to conditions?

I did a 52 mile route on Sunday (Basingstoke Big Wheel), through the north hants countryside, had the rear go twice, and the front went with 5 miles to go. Only had 2 spare tubes, and no patches with me. According to the fella at the bike shop that supported the event, there was a ridiculous number of people getting punctures.

So now I'm back to using Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres with Dr Sludge tubes, having previously tried to cut down on the weight.

Nice event, that. We've done it for the past few years, but the weather put me off this time.

[clonmult]

IroningMan said:

Nice event, that. We've done it for the past few years, but the weather put me off this time.

I'd been promising myself for years to do it, after doing a few charity runs, figured I'd stretch myself for the 52 mile route. Very enjoyable, despite the seemingly continual punctures (they're part of the experience?).

The weather wasn't too bad. Almost continual heavy rain, some stupidly big puddles.

My only irritation was that there were no challenging hills, or maybe I've finally got my leg strength up to a suitable point.