Park ToolVP-1 Vulcanizing Patch Kit (Single)

I recently bought a new bicycle and soon after had a puncture. At first I was skeptical of puncture repair kits because something as small as these patches seemed to be too good to be true to withstand the pressure in the tube. But I decided to give it a try and as I used this vulcanizing patch for the very first time it changed my views on this product.First, the kit box is very compact (about the size of a chewing gum package), which I like because you can put it in a bag or even a pocket and take it with you on a trip with a pair of levers, and you don't have to worry about getting a your tube punctured. With this kit, a puddle of water and a pocket-sized pump it is possible to even fix your tube in a few minutes at a road curb. I am a complete novice at changing tubes, but it took me around 7-10 minutes to fix the tube and be on the bike again.It is very easy to use the kit: once you determine where your puncture is, remove any object that caused it (if applicable), sand the spot around it with a sand paper provided, apply the vulcanizing glue evenly around the spot (about the size of a quarter around the hole), let it dry for up to a minute, and place one of the patches (whichever shape fits best) orange side up and press firmly for a minute or two. That's it - now you should be able to place your tube back onto the wheel and pump it with air. Make sure to sand the punctured spot well so that the area is smooth and even, having no grooves or rubber seams, otherwise these minor bumps can promote air channel formation under the patch when air pressure is applied.Overall, I think it is a pretty useful tool to relieve you from the hassle of buying new tubes all the time. I am not sure whether this vulcanizing kit is good enough to "treat" big holes, but it surely gets you covered for small punctures, such as the ones from a nail, malevolent awl or needle puncture.

I would like to thank you Amazon and Park Tool as I had to signal the fact my package was not delivered by the transporter despite it was mentioned the contrary on the site; thank you for having sent me another kit! I love it and it really worked on the two tires we had to fix. Very useful to have if you do not want to have to re-buy a tire just for a tiny hole: it is a must kit to have everywhere you ride with your bike. Moreover I think it is a great satisfaction to fix your bike yourself. In this kit you will find 6 patches of different diameter to fix different kind of leaks plus a tube of glue and a tiny, but useful sandpaper to make a good and clean job. everything is packed in a tiny box easy to transport with you as it fits the external pocket of a camel bag. Great and useful, a bikers must!!!!

I've used this kit to patch a couple of thorn punctures in a tube. The kit is tiny, easily fits in my seatbag, and has enough patches and glue for 6 holes (if the glue doesn't mistakenly dry up in the tube).Here's how I do my patches:1. Use sandpaper to scuff area around hole larger than the patch. Wipe away rubber dust.2. Apply thin layer of glue to area larger than the patch. I run the mouth of the glue tube over the rubber until I have a thin, wet layer.3. Allow glue to dry thoroughly!4. Remove foil from patch. Leave clear plastic film in place. (The actual patch is between the foil and the clear film.)5. Place patch (the side you just removed the foil from) over the hole.6. Using a thumb or screwdriver handle or something similar, firmly work the patch into the rubber from the inside to the outer edge (in order to push out air bubbles). The clear plastic film makes the top of the patch slippery for this purpose and keeps you from contaminating the glue on the very edges of the patch before the bond is made.7. Remove the clear plastic film. Or not. It doesn't need to be there but doesn't hurt anything, and it'll start to come loose as soon as the tube and patch stretch during inflation.8. When closing the glue tube, point it straight up and try to squeeze all of the air out of it first.Cons:- Unfortunately, the glue only lasted for 3 patches before it hardened up in the tube...even after I removed all the air from the tube between uses. Don't rely on the glue for subsequent patches once you puncture the tube.I'll buy this again when I need more patches, but in the meantime I'm searching for more miniature tubes of glue.

Works great . Before this i was using Slime SKABS Pre-Glued 1 inch patches repair flats on my mountain bike inner tubes but one day when i was fixing a flat I noticed that there was no new puncture but a leak through an already patched with Slime SKABS Pre-glued. I carefully removed that patch and sealed the leak/punctured spot with Park Tool VP-1 Vulcanizing patch bought here on Amazon. A few weeks later I got another flat in the same tire due to hitting a sharp metal on the road causing a tear in tire as well as inner tube. I patched that one too with park tool VP-1. So far have not noticed any decrease in pressure . At the time of patching the flats / leaks i remember the Park Tool VP-1 patches were well made and adhered to the tube very firmly co the glue was very strong . Also i liked that it comes in a nice small box with a small piece of sand paper to clan the punctured spot on inner tube.