As with traditional repair kits, preparation is key. Once you’ve roughened the affected area, peel a patch from its backing and ensure good adhesion by smoothing with your thumb for at least thirty seconds. In principle this works fine but while our patches enjoyed very good elasticity – especially on awkward areas such as the seams – they demanded greater care than usual to prevent lifting. On several occasions I resorted to clamping them in position with a clothes peg and leaving for a couple of minutes.
The tyre boot is little more than a strip of card of the type easily found by most roadsides but is seems to stay put, is easily moulded to most tyre casings and would probably get you out of a jam. Frankly, the kit isn’t a bad idea and in certain situations scores over traditional types but I would only consider it complementary to a well-stocked repair kit, rather than something to rely on.
An interesting concept with patches that are very effective in certain conditions but I wouldn't want to be completely reliant upon it.
road.cc test report
Make and model: Lezyne Smart Patch puncture kit
Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?
The Smart kit is a glueless patch kit designed to offer the essentials for roadside puncture repair.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
The packet consists of six glueless patches, an emergency tyre boot and a tube scuffer.
Rate the product for quality of construction:
7/10
Rate the product for performance:
6/10
Patches can be very effective on difficult holes such as those along the seam but even adhesion can prove tricky.
Rate the product for durability:
6/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
7/10
Rate the product for value:
6/10
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
When it works, it is very, very effective thanks to super supple patches but needs to complement, not replace a traditional patch kit.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
Supple patches.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
Variable reliability of adhesion- patches could lift when affixed in a hurry.
Did you enjoy using the product? Sometimes
Would you consider buying the product? Not without refinement
Would you recommend the product to a friend? No
Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?
A good concept but not reliable enough for my recommendation.
Age: 35 Height: 1m 81 Weight: 70 kilos
I usually ride: Rough Stuff Tourer Based around 4130 Univega mtb Frameset My best bike is: 1955 Holdsworth Road Path and several others including cross & traditional road
I've been riding for: Over 20 years I ride: Most days I would class myself as: Experienced
I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo cross, commuting, touring, fixed/singlespeed, mtb,
I'd like to think that in addition to the very well exposed supply chain argument made by Patrick, the simply outrageous price of Shimano...
That bike with clearance for 33c, tracklocross style, could be a winner.
Hellish! Barely used, clearly dangerous, slowing competent cyclists down while pandering to the clueless, a serious threat to pedestrians, won't...
"I ran into the back of him because I was traumatised by seeing the latest petrol prices, m'lud"
Are you sure? Norway is socialist and has a very high quality of life.
Glad I got mine before that change in ownership.
And 3 of the 'workers' are just leaning!
Same sketch everywhere, or so it seems. Take Whitelegg Way in Bournemouth. Wide cycle lanes put in both sides of a (formerly very wide) two lane...
Sounds cool. I haven't taken an "unnecessary flight" since 1992. Flown many times since then for work, but you can't patrol the Iraqi desert, or...
My first thought on reading the headline was "ooh, has Clevedon put in covered bike parking now?".