Fixing a Tube

[addmin]

ok so i was bored so i decided to make a tutorial on how to fix a tube. This method has never failed for me.
I included some shit pictures for your viewing pleasure..

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

- a tube with a hole in it. It can have multiple holes if your feeling adventurous.
- a pump
- patch repair kit
(patch, glue, sandpaper [or the metal thing that they include - sandpaper works better though])

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb286/2026_man/IMG_0660.jpg



STEPS:


1. Locate the puncture. Do this by pumping the tube up and putting it under water. Rotate until you see the bubbles. Make sure you do the whole tube as there may be more than one hole.

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb286/2026_man/IMG_0648.jpg
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb286/2026_man/IMG_0651.jpg

2. Mark the Hole. I use a pin and stick it in the hole (s). Then mark a few cm's each side of the hole with a pen or texta.

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb286/2026_man/IMG_0654.jpg
http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb286/2026_man/IMG_0655.jpg


3. Sand back the area surrounding the hole. This is important especially if the hole is near the join of the tube or another raised area. Sand until there are no large bumps in the tube which may stop the patch from working once glued down.

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb286/2026_man/IMG_0659.jpg


4. Apply Glue. This is where my method may differ from other peoples. I like to apply one layer of glue then wait for it to cure a bit. I usually leave it around 5 minutes. After the glue has become slightly takky i apply another small amount of glue. I do this to ensure maximum bonding.

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb286/2026_man/IMG_0661.jpg


5. Stick the patch on. To do this peel back the foil from the back of the patch and stick down onto the glue. Some people like to remove the plastic from the front, but i don't. it doesnt matter either way.


http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb286/2026_man/IMG_0663.jpg

6. Find something to keep pressure on the patch. I use a clamp however you could put it under a pile of books or glass. I like to leave it to cure for around 24 hours, however sometimes this cannot be done so just leave it to cure for as long as you can. (after 24 hours it will be more than ready).


http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb286/2026_man/IMG_0664.jpg


Anyway i hope this basic, poorly worded tutorial helped some of you out there.
I know most people dont bother fixing tubes anymore but, meh i do


ps: sorry for large pics - cbf resizing

[singletrack]

Or you could just replace the tube and put the punctured one in "that box" that "one day" you will visit to fix the mountain of tubes :D

Great little guide. Cheers.

[Justin Fox]

Can someone post up a really good guide on changing tubes. I know a few new riders would appreciate it. (don't laugh, we all have to start somewhere!).

[addmin]

yer, and can that person do it on a wheel that has at least a 2.35 dh tyre on it... please?

[Justin Fox]

Road tyres are SO hard to put on (I've broken some tyre levers doing so).

[addmin]

obviously you've never tried to put a 2.35 minion onto a deep dish rim. i came close to giveing up.

[Justin Fox]

Ah that's the rim, not the tyre. I've read a LOT of people have troubles getting tyres onto fat DH rims.

[Jarod]

Road tyres are SO hard to put on (I've broken some tyre levers doing so).

I broke a whole bunch of tyre levers on my old road bike too. Then a mate put me onto michelin tyre levers.

To put the tyre on or off hook all three in spaced around the rim about 3-4 inches apart and lever the crap outta em. They'll bend like crazy but I've yet to snap one.

http://img79.imageshack.us/img79/6894/michelintireleversbd5.jpg

Grab yourself a set of three. Accept no substitutes.

[DANNY]

Pardon me for my n00bish question, just wondering if after you have repaired the puncture do you have to be careful as to what pressure you can pump the tyre to, like do you pump it less than you normally would, or it doesn't really matter any more (provided you have done a good enuff job)?

/cheers

[Tim]

As long as you put the patch on properly (e.g. follow this guide:D) then you won't have a problem with pumping it up to the same pressure you had before.
I have 3 or so patches on my back tube on my dirt jumper and it holds pressure fine even at 60-70 psi which is far higher than you will have on any bush bike haha.

Just curious though. With all the repair jobs I have done on tubes, I only ever hold the patch on for like 5 mins or so before pumping it back up. I have never clamped one or left it for anywhere near 24 hours but i havent had one fail yet either...
I guess if I had the time I would but does it really make much difference?

[addmin]

I would leave it for as long as possible to allow the glue to cure as much as possible.
having said that, if i was in a hurry then i would only leave it like 5 - 10 minutes.

[elim]

^^ 5-10 mins ? then I guess worse case scenario you could repair your tube instead of replacing it while on a trail..

[addmin]

i wouldn't be repairing a tube whilst riding i'd just be replacing it and continuing on my way,
but when i get home i fix them, simply because i ride around 10 bikes and can't see the point of buying tubes every time i puncture one when i could just fix the old ones at like 20 or 30c a tube.

[Lorday]

Yeap, I fix tubes. Never clamped them, may be a good idea though!

[emlsuto]

I've repaired a tube while commuting and ridden it straight away.. Not sure it's recommended but it seemed to work fine.

[addmin]

yer, lots of people do that, but for me i like to be sure..

[Jing]

i have so many tubes to patch up now thanks to my race kings .....

[Jing]

+1 tube now -_-