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When you own a bike, you always wonder how to fix your bike. But, as a cyclist, we always have lots of questions. What can I do myself? What should I have a bike mechanic do? Today, we tell you how to put a patch.
Why put on a patch?
The puncture is one of the most common breakdowns encountered by cyclists. It is therefore necessary, as a cyclist, to know how to repair an inner tube to avoid getting stuck on the side of the road or path.
To repair a puncture, there are several solutions: the simplest - especially during an outing - is to simply change the inner tube, but the most economical is to put a patch on the inner tube.
What do I need to put a patch on?
In order to put a patch on, you're going to need a few tools:
- A set of patches of different sizes;
- Patch glue;
- Sandpaper;
- Tire changers;
- A bicycle pump;
Be aware that there are repair kits, convenient to carry in your saddle bag or frame bag, including various useful items to repair a puncture such as patches in different sizes and sandpaper.
How to repair a flat tire with a patch.
The first step is to remove your wheel from your bike. Then, using a tire iron, pry between the rim and tire of your bike and, with a second tire iron, work your way around the wheel until the tire is completely off the rim on one side of the wheel. To complete this first step, all you have to do is gently pull the tube out of the tire.
Now you just need to find the location of the puncture. Be careful, there may be several holes on a single tube: this is especially true if you've been riding on bits of glass.
If you're on the side of the road, this step can be a little tricky. If you are repairing the puncture at home, it is recommended that you use a basin with a little soap: this will make it easier for you to find the puncture site. To do this, you will need to inflate the inner tube and then dip it in small pieces in the basin: at the place of the hole, you will see small bubbles appear.
Let's move on to the second step. Once you have located the hole on the inner tube, you now need to repair it with a patch. Beforehand, if you used the tub technique to locate the hole, thoroughly dry your inner tube. This is because in order for the patch to adhere to it, it is imperative that the inner tube is dry and clean.
Start by running the sandpaper over the surface of the inner tube around the hole. The surface should match the size of the patch that will be used. To choose the right size of patch, feel free to layer several patches over the hole to determine which one will be the right one.
Once the area to be repaired is sanded, apply patch adhesive to the inner tube. Wait almost a minute for it to set before applying the patch. When you glue the patch, make sure that the entire surface of the patch is positioned on glue or it will not hold properly and press it down hard for about another minute. Let it dry (the time may vary depending on the temperature in particular). Once the patch is properly glued, you still need to remove the transparent film (definitely do not remove it before this step as it prevents you from getting glue on your hands).
The third step is to reinflate the tube slightly and replace it in the tire. But, before you do this, take the time to check that there is no sharp object (like a piece of glass) or prickly object (like a thorn) left inside the tire or you risk another immediate puncture. Then slide your tube into the tire - being careful not to pinch it - and close it with the tire levers. Inflate the tire halfway to make sure the tube is in place. If it is, inflate the tire completely to the usual pressure. Now all you have to do is re-install the wheel on the bike. The repair is now complete.
Now that you are able to put on a patch, how about finding out about other things you can fix yourself. Do you know how to fix a tubeless road bike tire? How to fix a bicycle flat? How to change your bike wheel? How to fix a bike chain? How to fix a mountain bike disc brake?
