Always seemed like a fairly important component, for the next time you need to remove tube from tyre, but a cursory search on the internet suggests it's no longer a common inclusion.
Does anyone know of a decent kit that still supplies it? If not do you have a sure fire suggested alternative?
Thread of the week content right here!
It was meant to be spread across the glue that the patch didn't cover when doing the repair (so the inner tube would stick to the inside of the tyre). Never used it myself as I always waited until the glue was dry as I made sure the patch was firmly pressed down as the glue was drying.
If Halfords do cheap puncture repair kits, I suspect they will have it.
Yes, it does - https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bike-parts/inner-tubes/halfords-essentials-puncture-repair-kit-with-tyre-levers---large-533098.html
Or without the levers (and cheaper) - https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bike-parts/inner-tubes/halfords-puncture-repair-kit-661102.html
It was meant to be spread across the glue that the patch didn't cover when doing the repair (so the inner tube would stick to the inside of the tyre). Never used it myself as I always waited until the glue was dry as I made sure the patch was firmly pressed down as the glue was drying.
If Halfords do cheap puncture repair kits, I suspect they will have it.
I always thought it was to mark where the puncture was after you found it, before you deflated the tube. I actually now have a stick or standard chalk for this purpose. You live and learn. 🤣
Patches and vulcanising solution seem to be rubbish nowadays, I can barely get the things to stick or hold air.
That was what the crayon was for...and the cheaper Halfords kit comes with a crayon as well - according the the pictures on the product page!
Not long ago i bought a puncture kit that had valve rubber in it! When on earth was that lasr needed?
Patches and vulcanising solution seem to be rubbish nowadays, I can barely get the things to stick or hold air.
Rema Tip Top kits FTW - the only patches I've had consistent results with, and even used them to long-term fix sizeable holes in tubeless tyres. You do need to take your time though to allow the vulcanising solution to go tacky before applying the patch, and then holding the patch down to stick.
The chalk was to make where the hole was. A long time ago you'd get a small container of talc to stop the adhesive sticking to the tyre.
Crayon for marking, small block of french chalk was to be grated on the serrated part of the tin and dusted over the dried solution.
However, for best results, use Tip Top Rema products and let the solution totally dry. It's not glue, it's vulcanising solution
A long time ago you'd get a small container of talc to stop the adhesive sticking to the tyre.
Partners work bike had dunlop/woods valves, until i replaced them last year!
A long time ago you'd get a small container of talc to stop the adhesive sticking to the tyre.
Tiny little thing, about the size of a large thimble with a screw top lid.
I've got one of them in the bottom of my assorted tyre/tube bits n pieces box. And a couple of tyre scrapers.
It was meant to be spread across the glue that the patch didn't cover when doing the repair (so the inner tube would stick to the inside of the tyre).
This, the puncture repair kits had a rough bit on the bottom, to "grate" the chalk block over the patched area.
The valve rubber I was always intrigued by that, maybe protection if another valve got friendly at a cafe stop
I never got all the tyre sizes either, we've used metric since units since the the 70's
I almost forgot we still use stones and pounds for weight and mph on our roads
Must be confusing for folk learning our language and culture
The valve rubber I was always intrigued by that, maybe protection if another valve got friendly at a cafe stop
Older Woods aka Dunlop valve insert had a rubber tube.
Pumping forces air past the rubber tube, but the air can't get back, eventually the tube perished.
Newer valves don't have the rubber tube
If you get a puncture out and about then just find some dirt to use in place of the chalk, if at home then find a dusty shelf
However, for best results, use Tip Top Rema products and let the solution totally dry. It's not glue, it's vulcanising solution
It's always been vulcanising solution. And yeah, I know to let it dry before vulcanising, but then it has the same effect on the inner rubber surface of the tyre.
Which is why I need the chalk!
Maybe just get come blackboard chalks is the answer, but they may be a bit crumbly. Oh, and I'll have a look at the Halfords kit too. Cheers.
Edit - huh, the instructions listed for the Halfords kit end with this confusion.
Only use a tyre-puncture repair kit on tubeless-type tyres
For tyre and tube, I just use ordinary talc to dust them and deal with any excess stickiness
Somebody mentioned up there. Its french chalk and is definitely for preventing stickiness.
Its also used to rub on files to stop them clogging.
And for marking steel for hotworks.
Its weird stuff so silky.
And yeah, I know to let it dry before vulcanising
I watched a video from tip-top on this and you have to wait 5 mins, was amazed it was so long. once I started doing that the patches worked though
Other top tip was to rub your Tyre levers on the patch to press it into the tube
I always put a decent amount of talc in tubed tyre when fitting from new, so they're pre-dusted.
Talking of puncture repair kits.
Saw this in a cafe the other day.
Wander if the glue has dried up. 
Patches and vulcanising solution seem to be rubbish nowadays, I can barely get the things to stick or hold air.
username checks out
as said above, just leave longer than you think for glue to dry
i have 4 kids with bikes so fixing punctures is a neverending task for me
Folks, I know many of us are children of the 60s and 70s, but...
.... Schwalbe Glueless Patches..... For those bikes in the shed that are not yet running tubeless
LOL... Innertubes? Seems a long time ago now. As above, I always used talcum powder to allow the innertube to move easily within the tyre.
I used to hate getting punctures whilst out but found repairing them at home, with brew to hand, quite therapeutic 🙂
I always put a decent amount of talc in tubed tyre when fitting from new, so they're pre-dusted.Some used to come pre dusted... Haven't seen that in years.
I always put a decent amount of talc in tubed tyre when fitting from new, so they're pre-dusted.
Ah, now that's a good idea!
LOL... Innertubes? Seems a long time ago now.
I'm firmly tubeless on my gravel bike and MTB. The fixie and commuter, they're fine with tubes and decent tyres.
If you're in a hurry and don't want to wait 5 minutes, you can flash a naked flame from a cigarette lighter over the vulcanising solution and you're ready to go.
I bought a cheapo kit from Go Outdoors last week to help patch the inside of a 3 ride old Kryptotal. It had chalk.
In my BMX/degenerate era, a puncture always meant a roll up. Fag ash worked a treat as a chalk replacement. That or dry dirt, which also acted as a hand antiperspirant.
I always put a decent amount of talc in tubed tyre when fitting from new, so they're pre-dusted.
I was always told to talc a new inner tube to stop it sticking to the tyre and ripping the valve off as the tyre slipped round the rim when braking.
No idea if it actually works but I've never had a valve rip off.
Edit: I should add that this was a long time ago when tyre tolerances were less tight and steel wire beads were more common
Ive got loads of chalk. If you're in the Tweed Valley OP you can pop round and get a couple of sticks of it
What makes French chalk French, though?
Slightly garlic odour?
Prefers a beret to a flat cap?
I never got all the tyre sizes either, we've used metric since units since the the 70's
I almost forgot we still use stones and pounds for weight and mph on our roads
Must be confusing for folk learning our language and culture
Could be worse 😉
I never got all the tyre sizes either, we've used metric since units since the the 70's
The 60's it was taught in schools.
Now i am not one to generally question the french and their measurements but their wheel sizing is straight up lunatic.
700c is a rim with a diameter that, when fitted with a size c tyre creates a 700mm diameter total.
Ive got loads of chalk. If you're in the Tweed Valley OP you can pop round and get a couple of sticks of it
That's very kind of you andrewh. I'll knock on about 10.30 pm yeah? 😁
Predictive text so ucking annoying, it was system Internatonal units I typed s I but my phone changed it to since units
Just got home tthew, I'm in all evening. Should miss the worst of the M6 traffic at this time of night
You can swing by mine and grab some actual french chalk if you like.
Also in the tweed valley so you'll be up anyway.
🤣 love this place.
You can drop in to my place on the way home, I live near Eyemouth.
I don't have any spare french chalk, but I can do you a good artisan coffee.
Checked my puncture repair kit that travels in my top tube bag. The constant rattling around has caused the little cube of chalk to rub against the sandpaper so now my tool kit is full of chalk dust and the cube of chalk has slowly rattled itself into a perfect little sphere. Extremely satisfying.
Talcum powder for tires and patches here also, although I read something (will try and find it) to suggest that allowing the tube to move about in the tire generates friction and heat which manifests as increased rolling resistance, and that you actually want the tube to move WITH the tire instead. Wonder if I've been doing it wrong all these years. Will have a chance to experiment this weekend I think as the new tubeless rim strip I need for the gravel bike hasn't arrived, will need to brave the Hawthornes with tubes instead.
Edit: found it. Absolutely definitive proof, I've been losing 0.1W per wheel all these years! 😭
I am fairly sure talk and french chalk are the same substance.
The chalk is just more convenient and creates a little ball is left to rattle round...
13thfloor munk can roll a bit to you OP.
the french and their measurements
Now I'd always thought that French bicycle wheels and tyres were all metric, but I had a puncture, went to the shop to buy an inner tube and they were all in imperial sizes!!!