No I’m not saying you can’t buy patch kits out there. They are still available. But what I’m saying is patch kits are no longer needed for mountain biking. For the most part, people will generally ride with an extra tube or two just in case they do get flats.
Patch its are not practical at all. They take too long to apply and sometimes when you’re in a rush, you don’t do a good enough job to completely seal the hole.
Replacing a flat with a fresh tube makes more sense and its waaay quicker! Besides with the advent of products such as Stan’s No Tubes…patch kits…heck even tubes in this application is not even necessary. Think about it, when was the last time you used a patch kit on the trail? Did you sit there and look for the hole, score the tube, apply the glue…blow on the glue(don’t inhale!)then apply the patch…
I mean…C’MON! That process is way 1980’s! Just grab a fresh tube! Fix your flat, get back on the bike and ride.
So I’m sure you’re thinking…”what if you pop your fresh/spare tube and got nothing left?” Well thats when you HAVE to go 1980’s and patch it…what? What else are you going to do? Walk…pshhh…mountain bikers don’t walk! We ride!
I don’t entirely agree with this. The old style glue-on kit should definitely be done away with, but I still use and like the stick-on type. I’ve had two flats this year after a 2-year stretch of no flats, and both were successfully fixed without even removing my wheel. I just get one side of the tire off the rim, pull the tube out, stick a patch on, pop the tire back in place and pump. Takes all of 7 or 8 minutes (less if I used my CO2, but I’m saving that for an emergency or when I’m dead tired).
Both tires are still enflated after a couple weeks and haven’t given me any trouble at all. Of course, for a large tear, as opposed to a tiny puncture, I’d definitely say toss in a new tube, and that’s why I always bring a spare in my CamelBak.