Q&A: How reliable are SELF-ADHESIVE patches on Tubolito and other TPU bicycle tubes?

[@johndef5075]

On my Ridenow tubes I used Lezyne glueless patches and they are working well.

[@rickguerrero2282]

About a month or two ago, my Tubolito tube needed to be patched. I purchased a "glue on" patch kit from Tubolito. I followed all the instructions, but the outer edges seemed not to have adhered properly. I applied a bit more alcohol to clean the outside edges, added more adhesive, and was more careful how I clamped the patch to the tube. The next day, the glue had dried, the patch had completely adhered, and it has held air since then.

[@ZavyalovCycling]

Hi, Rick! I had this issue at the start as well. Started to apply the alcohol wipe to BOTH the tube and the patch. The same with glue. No issue since then 😉

[@seanlee7670]

I saw a video in the online site selling these patches. Although they are only selling the patches(without the rubber glue). In the video, they show first sand and clean the inner tube at the hole area. Then apply the rubber glue solution and wait few minutes for it to dry. After the glue dry, then paste the patch. The glue solution sold separately. I saw both the patches and the glue solution sold on aliexpress, lazada and shopee (app in singapore) For the patch alone, i believe it can be used for temporary sealing.

[@MM-kt5dv]

Thank you for the excellent and informative video, especially since you reported on its performance after quite a long time. It sounds like these patches are a good emergency solution if you are really stuck on the roadside and have already punctured a spare (2nd) tube.

[@Gledii]

a MEK or butanone based PVC cement works great. Camplast is one of them, wokrs as a charm

[@Leo-gt1bx]

MEK does it not just evaporate? You mean like plumbing glue?

[@Gledii]

@@Leo-gt1bx yes. The same used to glue PU kids swimming pools

[@DEAR7340]

Thanks, Z! You got right to my question: "Is it practical to apply a patch, at roadside, when you get a puncture and your spare fails as well?" Initially, I heard that TPU patches required 24 hours to fully adhere. It seems that this is not the case(?). It also seems that one can carry a couple of alcohol swabs and some self adhesive patches to get yourself home.

[@ZavyalovCycling]

Sure! A couple of alcohol wipes and these patches weigh nothing but can change everything in some circumstances 😀 And yes, they adhere almost instantly, though not permanently 😉

[@bradsanders6954]

Dont tell anybody, but I used Gorilla Tape cut in the shape of a patch. A generous sized patch. Stuck it on the TPU tube and it stuck tight. I used an old hairdryer to heat it really hot and it is really stuck. I have 3 patched tubes inflated and hanging up. I think it works.

[@montrose252]

What type of glue is used for TPU patches?? Normal rubber vulcanizing glue will not work. What is the correct glue? (I would like to cut up an old tube and use it for patches. But I don't know which type of glue to use!)

[@ZavyalovCycling]

I have applied TipTop Camplast to 10+ patches, and it has not failed once. A bit more about the glue in another video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/anTZe3Sug9mNjqs

[@superwag634]

Use “chloroprene” adhesive. Also known as neoprene adhesive

[@texugooooo]

I do NOT recomend CYCLAMI. I bought a pair of cyclami tubes with metal valves, put them on the wheels and rode about 2 months (60 PSI). Everything was fine, so I bought 3 more to spare. After a few days, one of the tubes started to leak at the connection between the valve and the tube. So I took the 1st spare, put it on the wheel and after inflating it started leaking at the same place. The exact same thing happened to the 2nd spare, so I went back to butyl. Didn't check the 3rd spare cause I was tired of changing tubes at that point. There seems to be a problem with bonding between metal and TPU. I didn't test the ones with the plastic valve though.

[@ZavyalovCycling]

Thank you for the feedback! Have not tried Cyclami tubes yet - just the patches.

[@larsandersen5505]

Has anyone found somewhere to buy just the glue? I have enough patches from the tubolitu kits.

[@jonienglish3231]

My new ride now tube leaks from valve stem jount to tube

[@stinkybeam]

in my experience, self adhesive patch not work at all, it leaks air immediately once you inflated the tire

[@roadkill_toronto]

They are not. Camplast works.

[@roadkill_toronto]

Specifically the glue sold in Perrelli smart tube repair kits is “Camplast” branded

[@meibing4912]

Riding on with a patched tube? LOL! Its for a quick repair to bring you home and then relegate to spare for future rides. Tubes are dime a dozen, your health is not.