I'm trying to reduce the weight of stuff I carry for long, unsupported camping/touring trips on my TE610. Thus I'm trying to decide between carrying a patch kit or spare tubes. I've been carrying spare tubes, but the one time I repaired a flat I just patched the hole in the existing tube with my bicycle patch kit. I'll be running rim locks, so tearing out a valve stem won't be a problem. I'm running rubber tubes that I know I can patch, so failed patches won't be a problem. I don't run really low pressures, so rim cuts shouldn't be a problem... However, I don't have a lot of moto experience so I suspect I may be missing something that will happen to one of my tubes 100 miles from nowhere! You guys that have run 1,000's of remote miles in the dirt - can I get away with just a good patch kit with a broad array of patches of different sizes? Howard L. Snell
If I'm 100 miles from nowhere (which I am as often as possible) I want a tube and patches both. We've had valve stems ripped out while running 2 rim locks before, so anything is possible. If you're worried about weight, just carry one 21" tube in a fenderpack on your front fender. It can be used in the rear if need be. Also, just be thankful you don't have to carry 17" tubes...those things are heavy! WoodsChick
Foam Tubes I'm not familiar with your style of riding but if I run a race that I for sure don't want a flat, I run foam tubes. Would mousse tubes work in your situation? I know they break down under high speeds due to heat, but if you keep them lubricated they last a long time.
I have always just carried patches, but usually don't even know that I've gotten a flat till I get done riding and try to put the bike on its kickstand. Then the dang thing stands up too tall and I notice it's because the rear tire's flat. I have had good luck patching tires....at least until last Fall when Jeff got a big cactus spine in his rear tire. We stopped to fix it and put more holes in the tube than we started out with, or had patches for. I think a spare tube would have ended up in dire condition.
I carry both on extended trail rides or multi day rides. I don't bother for a race. If I flat, it's good excuse to quit.
About 10 years ago a friend gave me a mini bottle of what was basically fix a flat for motorcycles. Most fix a flat's say not to use with tires that have tubes, but this one was specifically for bicycles and motorcycles with tubes. It took like 1 minute to fix a flat tire with that stuff. Best stuff I have ever used, but I have not been able to find it again.
I use Slime, carry 21 front tube AND carry patches. I ride a lot of remote desert areas and Baja and most of the time I can't just call someone and it sure is a LONG ride back with a flat tire. I've had too many flats and don't want to let that ruin my day. I have had great luck with slime though!
I have had an idea kinking around my head for years. If someone comes up with this they will be a millionaire. Spray foam you inject into a lightweight tube that hardens and turns into a bib moose.
Dude you are crazy letting that cat out of the bag,,,,,that is "BRILLIANT" (in the Guinness guy voice)
