Park Tool VP-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 keep 3 brand new inner tubes in my house at all times, carry 1 spare tube in my saddle bag, but the security that these patches provide is unparalleled. Before my road bike handling at night was decent, I found myself rolling through debris and oversized NYC potholes. The first puncture I got was 2 blocks from my house when I was returning home (what luck!) and I quickly scampered home to patch it up with this kit. Here's what I did:1) Rubbed the hole in my inner tube with isopropyl alcohol2) Let it dry3) Sanded the area around the puncture4) Applied a thin layer adhesive5) Waited until it was tacky (like applying a false eyelash, I've heard)6) Applied the patch (leaving the plastic top layer on)7) Reinstalled my inner tube and tire.This amazing little kit worked wonders a few days ago when a piece of metal got embedded in my tire and punctured the same tube again. Because of this little kit that fits so handily in my saddle bag, I was able to retain my inner tube and avoid using a new one, which saves me money in the long run. This kit is a must have! Please don't leave home without it!

"I bought this in 2015, and it saved me multiple times from having to push my bike out of the woods. The patches worked flawlessly, sealing punctures well. I do wish it came with more glue, but I managed just fine. Overall, a must-have for any rider—it does the job when you need it most!"

The plastic box measures 2 5/8" Height, 1 3/8" Width, and 3/4" Depth. This is great because you can store it virtually anywhere. They easily fit into my girlfriend's notoriously small pockets with room to spare. The box itself is made of blue transparent plastic. The clips seem to hold the container snug, but I wouldn't open it often unless you are actually using it. I would also advise against putting more than a few pounds of weight on it as it may break.The patches are generously sized. The larger rectangular patches (2) are 1 7/8" by 1" while the small (2) and large (2) circular patches are 3/4" and 15/16" in diameter respectively. If you have a hole too large for these patches - you need a new tube.I haven't had an opportunity to use one yet. Hopefully I wont. If I do I'll update this review with the details.3/27 Update:It looks like someone thought my review wasn't helpful. Probably because I hadn't tested one. Grouch.Anyway, I lent my kit to a friend in need. He's not a genius. Don't take that statement lightly. He said it was easy and it works perfect. That was a week ago. He hasn't bought a new tube.I had to patch a tube recently and it worked great. You just sandpaper around the puncture, apply some vulcanizing glue, and slap the patch on. Holds like a charm. I only used it for about 6 miles, though.

Yesterday I decided to do a Metric Century (100km/62m). About 40 miles into the ride I had my first flat. I had worn through the tire tread exposing the tube. I used the patch kit on the tire itself from the inside in an attempt to continue riding. The patches stuck likes champs! Too bad the tire tread continue to wear out at an alarming rate.Ten miles later the rear tire was flat again. I was able to swap the front tube and tire to the rear of the bike. I then used the Park Patch kit to repair the new tube that had been punctured. The tube was punctured at the intersection of two seams. The included sandpaper and instructions allowed me to make the repair without wasting any precious time as the sun was setting. I made a tire boot out of the old intertube and the freshly patched intertube went into the front tire. I was then able to finish the last 15 miles without further incident. The repaired tube held so well that I will keep in my panniers for a spare next time.I have added this repair kit to my cart and will make sure that I buy a replacement or two and have it for every trip. The patches do go fast but when you are 25 miles from the house they are worth all the cash in the world.