Saw a guy use duct tape to patch a bike tire on the trail and I totally changed my mind about those quick fix kits

I used to think duct tape was just for temporary stuff around the house, like sealing boxes or taping up a torn couch cushion. But last month I was out on the greenbelt trail near my house and this dude's tire went flat. He pulled out a strip of duct tape, slapped it over the hole from the inside, pumped it back up, and rode another 8 miles no problem. I always carry those little patch kits from the bike shop but they never hold for me. Now I just keep a mini roll of tape in my pack instead. Has anyone else tried this on something other than a tire?

3 comments

3 Comments

john_fisher1mo ago

Duct tape fixed my tent once but I also accidentally taped my own shoelaces together.

jamie_webb671mo ago

Wait, you taped your OWN shoelaces together? HOW did you even manage that? Was it like a big tangled mess you had to cut apart later?

lewis.mila1mo ago

@john_fisher omg I taped my own shoelaces together once too trying to fix a broken grommet on my boot. It held for a solid hour before I tripped over myself lol. But yeah the tire trick is legit I've used it on a punctured air mattress at a campsite and it lasted the whole weekend.