Patch for flat in the Winter?

I am relatively new to biking in this winter weather.  I commute 8-10 miles one way, depending on the route, then leave my bike outside (covered thankfully) while at work.  I keep it inside at home.

I got a flat over the weekend and was planning to patch the tube.  Has anyone had problems with patch integrity in the cold? I am not finding much on this one way or the other.

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Permalink Reply by Smart Bike Parts on November 25, 2014 at 4:14pm

Patching a tube optimally requires clean, dry, warm and time. 3 of which are certain to be seldom outside till April. Carry a spare tube and patch the other indoors and later.

Ride on,

Eric

Permalink Reply by Tony Adams on November 25, 2014 at 4:41pm

Smart Bike Parts suggestion is a great one. Patching a tube in the field can be a struggle even in the best of conditions. 

As for the integrity of the patch - I've never had any patches fail due to cold weather and I'm usually running with a lot of patches on my rear tube. 

Permalink Reply by David Beazley on November 26, 2014 at 2:27am

Why risk it?  There are few things that suck worse than having to fix a flat tire in subfreezing temperatures next to a snowdrift in the dark (speaking from experience).  Paying a few extra bucks to have a new tube on hand would be worth it to me. 

Permalink Reply by Jaik S. on November 26, 2014 at 3:40am

+1

Smart Bike Parts said:

Carry a spare tube and patch the other indoors and later.

Permalink Reply by Tom A.K. on November 26, 2014 at 4:07am
http://bicycling.about.com/od/bikemaintenance/ss/patch_tube.htm

P.J.C., You should not have any problems with patch integrity in cold weather conditions, if the patch is properly repaired. Cold weather & hot weather does have different effects on air pressure in your tires so you should always check them everyday before you takeoff. Yes, i agree with the others that you should always carry a spare tube and tools. (Check out my discussion post) Welcome to Chicago's winters.
Permalink Reply by Mike Schwab on November 26, 2014 at 6:30am

Light the glue with a bic lighter to warm the glue and dry it?  Then apply the patch?

Permalink Reply by Tom A.K. on November 26, 2014 at 7:30am
Yow ! Highly flammable, Mike Schwab ! Ka-BOOM !
Permalink Reply by Duppie on November 26, 2014 at 7:44am

Now that you definitely DO want to do outside :)

Mike Schwab said:

Light the glue with a bic lighter to warm the glue and dry it?  Then apply the patch?

Permalink Reply by Kevin Mulcky on November 26, 2014 at 10:51am
My personal record is 11 patches on a single tube. I rode that guy year round for quite a while before the valve core eventually sheared off.
Permalink Reply by Mike Schwab on November 26, 2014 at 11:02am
Permalink Reply by Tom A.K. on November 26, 2014 at 12:25pm
Ok , Mike Schwab, I may try this on a leaking tube one day. I am vaguely remembering something like this now, as a kid someone's dad fixing a flat with a flame. Still sounds a bit risky for any novice.
Permalink Reply by Tandemonium on November 26, 2014 at 1:57pm

Tell me you framed it! I've been known to take patching to the limit but I think the most I've had is perhaps 5 or 6.

KevinM said:

My personal record is 11 patches on a single tube. I rode that guy year round for quite a while before the valve core eventually sheared off.

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