TPU tube patching - thoughts?

[Kevin Smith]

At the risk of starting a debate on the merits/value of tubes vs. tubeless or what tube material is 'best', I'm curious about any experience folks might have with successfully patching TPU tubes. 

I'm playing with some of these tubes now and have assumed roadside patching isn't really an option based on the prep and cure time apparently needed for the glue to bond to polyurethane (plus some form of clamping to apply consistent pressure on the patch - I guess?).  From what I've read online, it seems patching is more successful at home where you can better control the process and conditions to get a good bond. 

Yeah, I know there are TPU patch kits out there and I have one, but don't want to waste a $30-$40 tube on an experiment and I haven't gotten a flat with these tubes through about 1500 km of trying.  I'm not saying these things are 'great' - but experimenting.

Thanks for any on topic replies.

Kevin

[Mark Thomas]

I’ve patched a few. Different brands of TPU tubes and different patch types. All done later, not on the road. 

None have worked worth a damn.

Of course, I was never any good at patching regular butyl tubes either. So maybe the problem is with the user. 

Mark

On Jul 2, 2024, at 7:19 PM, Kevin Smith <blue...@gmail.com> wrote:

At the risk of starting a debate on the merits/value of tubes vs. tubeless or what tube material is 'best', I'm curious about any experience folks might have with successfully patching TPU tubes. 

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[Kevin Smith]

Ok - that's a good start!  I too have poor roadside patch reliability on the rubber tubes.

Thx 

[don person]

I have not patched one yet. Just carrying them as spares. Patched many butyl tubes successfully. 

The best way to apply pressure to a new patch is to put the tube back in the tire, mount and inflate it 

Don Person (shiggy)
http://mtbtires.com

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[Roberts, Mark]

I’m told that glueless patches like the ones made by Park Tool work best. 

Mark Roberts

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On Jul 2, 2024, at 5:39 PM, don person <don.p...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Mark Thomas]

Have you tried them?

Schwalbe suggests using their (not TPU-specific) glueless patches. I tried. It failed.

Tubolito makes their own TPU patches. I tried. It failed.

RideNow makes their own TPU patches. I tried. It failed.

Dubied (which appears to be the same as Rene Herse) makes their own. I haven’t tried one yet. Not hopeful.

Mark

On Jul 2, 2024, at 8:44 PM, 'Roberts, Mark' via Seattle International Randonneurs <seattl...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

I’m told that glueless patches like the ones made by Park Tool work best. 

Mark Roberts

Sent from my iPhone

On Jul 2, 2024, at 5:39 PM, don person <don.p...@gmail.com> wrote:



I have not patched one yet. Just carrying them as spares. Patched many butyl tubes successfully. 

The best way to apply pressure to a new patch is to put the tube back in the tire, mount and inflate it 

Don Person (shiggy)
http://mtbtires.com

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[Roberts, Mark]

I only bring patches to quell my anxiety. But I pack an extra tube- never been a fan of patching on the road if I could avoid it. 

Mark Roberts

Sent from my iPhone

On Jul 2, 2024, at 5:49 PM, Mark Thomas <ma...@muthomas.net> wrote:



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[Hahn Rossman]

Flats are a hard thing to track, but with all the KM's that SIR is doing collectively...I wonder how many folks are running tubeless vs TPU vs butyl?

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[Bill Gobie]

A casual search does not turn up Park patches for TPU tubes, so I assume Mark R is talking about Park's patches for butyl tubes. I've had 100% success with them on the road. I scrub the tube vigorously with sandpaper on the theory the mold release (required to get the tube out of the tube mold) is difficult to remove. At home I the Park patch off and replace with a conventional glued patch (preceded by more vigorous sandpapering). I once forgot a Park patch on a rear wheel and it went 600 miles before failing.

That said, I think any wheel that can go tubeless should.

Bill

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[BertoBerg]

I’ve been able to patch TPU tubes, inflate them, and immediately ride on them. 

Josh

Seattle, WA

[Kevin Smith]

Hi Josh - can you elaborate? What glue and patch material or maker did you use?

From poking around online - it seems Gorilla glue has a polyurethane glue that claims to glue anything.  It comes in small tube sizes.  Seems to need water for activation (i think) - combined with a prolong period of clamping (30 - 60 minutes).  Some folks have cut pieces of TPU tube material from an old tube to make the patch material.  Definitely not roadside worthy, but suitable for at home/in garage type effort (aka 'patch day').

The 'glueless' Park patches also seem to have been claimed as 'working' for roadside TPU repairs, but I find it hard to see this working as a long term fix.  Might be enough to get home or something.

I might have to take one for the team here and play with patch approaches (Mark Thomas seems to have already done this).  

I appreciate the input thus far.

Kevin

[BertoBerg]

Kevin-

I just use the patches that Schwalbe recommends for their Aerothan tubes. They are clear and require no glue.

Josh

Seattle, WA

[Ronald Long]

I've used that Gorilla glue in my shop. It's "bubbly, and expands as
it dries. It's hard for me to imagine using it for a bicycle tube
repair.

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[don person]

Kevin, the TPU tubes I have came with several self adhesive patches and alcohol wipes. Instructions are clean the tube with the wipe. Let dry. Apply patch. Remount tire/tube and inflate

Don Person (shiggy)
http://mtbtires.com

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[Kevin Smith]

Yeah - I get all that.  My interest is how well does patching actually work and how reliable it is for roadside fix.  I have a similar patch kit from Tubulo.  I just don't want to test it by deliberately puncturing a $40 tube then find out it doesn't work.  Butyl rubber tube kits and experience have nothing in common with TPU because the bond process is completely different with polyurethane.  

Mark T's experience seems to be common (from online discussion forums).  Josh has been successful with alcohol wipe and a peel and stick patch (which I'm hoping is where this all ends up).

Kevin

[Ray Whitlock]

I'd say consider yourself lucky that you've made it 1500 km with no issues 👍 In the meantime, carry an extra tube and a TPU patch kit, as I'm sure you already are. You'll probably have an opportunity to test soon enough. 

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