Forum: bicycles.stackexchange.com
Tags: <innertube><puncture><repair>
Title: Do glueless tube patches work as well as glue ones?
Question: Quite a few years ago I tried some glueless patches for repairing my punctured tubes while out on the road, and found that they rarely stayed on for very long.  I know that technology has advanced a lot since then, and I am wondering if I should now try them again?  Do they work?

Answers:
sents: text: They work ok - if you are just riding around town, they would probably be fine.
text: If you are on a ride out in the middle of nowhere, I wouldn't count on these.
text: The ones with glue work significantly better, to the point where I wouldn't buy the glue-less ones.
answer_details: author: bicycles.stackexchange.com/users/67/Geoff
score: 17
sents: text: I've use glueless patches for a number of tube repairs and have found them to be just as durable as the glued patches.
answer_details: author: bicycles.stackexchange.com/users/350/deemar
score: 12
sents: text: Slime scabs suck as a permanent repair.
text: I think they would be fine for a temporary repair, because that is about how long they last.
text: Self vulcanizing cement and regular patches are still the best way to go.
text: I still have some scabs, but will only use them in an emergency, or when I patch my ex girlfriends tubes.
answer_details: author: bicycles.stackexchange.com/users/None/
score: 6
sents: text: I have used the stick on patches.
text: The durability is conditional with proper installation.1-scuff the tube2-try and have the tube the same size as the inside of the tire.3-after placing the patch on the tube take a smooth object and rub air out from under the patch.
text: This is the most important step!
answer_details: author: bicycles.stackexchange.com/users/5473/R. McWilliams
score: 6
sents: text: Glueless patches are to get you home, and glued patches are for the permanent repair once you make it home.
text: Personally, I carry a spare tube and glueless patches, and at home I have a nice glue kit.
text: The glue kits actually bind the patch to the intertube, where the glueless stick on top over the puncture.
text: That being said, I've had glueless patches stay on until I tossed the tube.
answer_details: author: bicycles.stackexchange.com/users/28/Jared Harley
score: 4
sents: text: No!
text: Still the same experience as a few years ago.
text: Don't bother wasting your money on them (again).
text: My experience has been that sometimes they don't even get you home before needint to be reapplied.
text: Carry a spare tube and if you get a flat, take it home with you and patch it with a glue patch, or carry one of the small glue patch kits with you if you are flat prone.
answer_details: author: bicycles.stackexchange.com/users/2598/joelmdev
score: 4
sents: text: I do carry them with me
text: but I've never patched on the road -- I always carry a fresh tube instead since most of my flats happen in wet conditions.
text: But I've occasionally used "glueless"
text: (they're actually pre-glued) patches from the comfort of home
text: and they've turned out fine.
answer_details: author: bicycles.stackexchange.com/users/157/darkcanuck
score: 3
sents: text: I bought some once.
text: Never again.
text: The problem is that if you patch once, then have to patch again, the first patch crinkles when the tube deflates and then develops a leak because the patches don't stretch with the tube.
answer_details: author: bicycles.stackexchange.com/users/3088/802bikeguy.com
score: 3
sents: text: I use the Park GP-2 patch kit and have found them extremely durable, lasting the lifetime of the tube.
text: This is with 28-32mm tires and pressures up to 90 PSI or so.
answer_details: author: bicycles.stackexchange.com/users/4175/Reid
score: 3
sents: text: I've had no problems with the Park ones that I haven't had with 'proper' ones and haven't felt the need to replace them when I get in.
text: Like regular ones, my experience is that if it's on, it's on and if it's still good after 24 hours then it'll last as long as the tube.
text: I've had some issues with getting them to stick in the rain
text: but I think that probably applies to all patches.
answer_details: author: bicycles.stackexchange.com/users/5477/user814425
score: 3

Summary of the answers:
Glueless patches are not as good as glued ones. Glueless patches are basically to get you home after a puncture. Once home, a proper repair with a glued patch should be done.
There seem to be conflicting views, as some argue that glueless patches are ineffective and can only work as a temporary solution, while others claim that there is no real difference in durability if they are applied correctly. This can be tested with products like the Park GP-2 patch kit. The reply might depend on the intended use. Glueless patches are sufficient for riding in town, but not off road. Another problem that may arise from glueless patches is that they do not stretch along the tube, so it is necessary to use another patch in the event of a deflation.