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 On: 2008-02-24
I never patched a tube until I moved to New York City; I used to replace the tube every time because flats were so infrequent, but in New York City I have actually had up to three punctures in a single day. When its wet out I can expect to get one flat at some point. So now I have a two patch maximum rule where the tube is trash on the third puncture, but might have to revise that given how quick and easy it is to use these Park Tool glueless patches that I carried around until I ran out of normal patches before finally using. From now on, this is the only sort of patch Ill use--and Im switching to kevlar tires.
Theres really no need to rough up the surface with these, but you do want to make sure the area youre putting the patch on is free of dirt, sand, dust, talcum powder or anything else that might stand between the patch and the actual tube. This is where the old fashion glue type ones are better, because if you put a gob of superglue on even a dirty surface, anything will stick to it. With these, its easy enough, and a lot faster to clean and dry that little spot (lick a fingertip and that will do the trick), stick on the patch, and youre set. Gluing a patch on takes time to dry, which is fine when you have enough spare tubes with you on a ride, but intolerable when you have to patch the tube youre presently using in order to continue the ride--where you might find yourself reinstalling the tube while the glue is still wet and later finding it has bonded itself to the inside of your expensive tire.
Also, these patches are paper thin, so they do the job without adding a bump to your ride. Theyre fairly invisible.
BOTTOM LINE:
They work, and they work instantly. Patch and inflate--no waiting.
Several patches fit in a space smaller than two nickels and come in a little plastic case that fits in even the tiniest of pockets or even a wallet.
Couldnt be easier or cheaper.
 On: 2007-11-24
Ive tried using these things a couple of times, abraded the patch area as directed, and have not been able to get the tube to hold any pressure at all. Totally useless, a waste of money and you shouldnt have any peace of mind at all if youre carrying these on a ride.
On: 2006-09-02
No more excuses for not having a patch kit on you. This is a very small, light package...about an inch on each side and not a quarter inch thick. Theres no tube of glue like traditional kits. (My glue tube would inevitably leak and/or dry up in my repair kit.) The package includes six patches (stickers) and a small piece of sandpaper. Just add tire levers...
Make sure to only *lightly* abrade the tube around the puncture and make sure the area is clean and dry before sticking on the self-adhesive patch. According to Park Tool mechanic Calvin Jones, if there are too many deep scratches, the patch glue wont make a good seal, and you might get a slow leak. (Do a web search for "calvin jones park glueless".)
Ive patched a number of tubes with these with long-term success and never intend to mess with the old, glue-tube patch kits again. These patch kits are so tiny, I practically forget its in my bicycle repair set.
 On: 2006-08-16
I bought several of these kits, based on Parks reputation for good stuff (particularly tools) at a fair price. I was hoping these peel-and-stick patches would replace the glue-on patches Ive been using to fix my flats for 20+ years. But alas, Ive been sorely disappointed so far.
The Park patches are easy to use... you rough-up a patch-size area on the tube with the included piece of sandpaper, then peel the patch off the backing and stick it on... like a bumper sticker. Put everything back together, pump er up, and ride. (By comparison, the "traditional" patch kit has the additional step of applying cement out of a tube, and waiting for it to dry. Not a huge thing, but Id gladly abandon that step if it were an option.)
Alas... so far my experience has been that the Park patches will hold air for a few days, or a couple weeks... and then they start leaking from the edge. The glue, as sticky as it seems, just cant compare with the chemical reaction of that traditional glue-in-a-tube.
The park patches would probably be suitable in a situation where you just need to finish a ride and get home. But when I get a flat, I like to fix it and forget it. So at least for now, I dont think Ill buy more of these patch kits until they stick a little more permanently.
On: 2006-08-15
I bought several of these kits, based on Parks reputation for good stuff (particularly tools) at a fair price. I was hoping these peel-and-stick patches would replace the glue-on patches Ive been using to fix my flats for 20+ years. But alas, Ive been sorely disappointed so far.
The Park patches are easy to use... you rough-up a patch-size area on the tube with the included piece of sandpaper, then peel the patch off the backing and stick it on... like a bumper sticker. Put everything back together, pump er up, and ride. (By comparison, the "traditional" patch kit has the additional step of applying cement out of a tube, and waiting for it to dry. Not a huge thing, but Id gladly abandon that step if it were an option.)
Alas... so far my experience has been that the Park patches will hold air for a few days, or a couple weeks... and then they start leaking from the edge. The glue, as sticky as it seems, just cant compare with the chemical reaction of that traditional glue-in-a-tube.
The park patches would probably be suitable in a situation where you just need to finish a ride and get home. But when I get a flat, I like to fix it and forget it. So at least for now, I dont think Ill buy more of these patch kits until they stick a little more permanently.
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