Patching inner tube in spoke well
 

Hi all,

Can anyone tell me if it is safe to patch the area of an inner tube that is not pressing against the tyre but is over the recess in the middle of the rim that the spoke heads sit in?

I have managed to pinch my inner tube in this area with a tyre lever and am concerned about the reliability of using a patch where it is not pressed against anything. Ideally I would just replace this tube but I am in Mexico and can so far only find unknown brand, made in Tailand tubes and wonder whether a patched 'Continental' tube would be more reliable spare.

Thanks for your thoughts

Mark

I've never patched a tube in that area, (my tire lever pinches have all been on the side) but if I was going to, and was in Mexico, I would go to one of the many Llanteras, or Gomerias depending on where you are, and have them put a hot patch on your tube. Much more reliable than a cold bicycle type patch.

Personally, I would rather have a new no name tube, than a patched brand name tube. My .02

Why do you think it wouldn't press up against anything - you are planing to inflate it after the fix, right?

I wouldn't worry about it. Grab the cheap no-name tube and keep it as a spare, using your patched one as far as it will get you. Chances are you'll never see it again.

If there is an adequate rim tape fitted, there should be no problem with patches in that area. If your not using a rim tape, expect problems even before you have to patch.

I totally agree!

Make sure the rim strip is good and you should be fine. If it isn't, in a pinch...no pun intended, you can use electrical or duct tape and make several passes around the wheel.

I had a rim strip break during a blowout, the screw was driven though both sides of the tube. I cut it up to make a replacement strip, (not enough tape), put in a new tube and continued on.

I replaced it with a new strip when I had a chance. I double them up now.

daryl

Thanks
 

Thanks to everyone for all their thoughts. In the end I found a Vee Rubber 3.50x18 new tube in Chiapas, so I bought that.
All the best
Mark