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review
Puncture kits
Meqix PatchkitMeqix Patchkit - open

Meqix Patchkit

7
by Shaun Audane
UPDATED Thu, Oct 15, 2015 04:24

First Published Mar 14, 2012

0
£9.99

VERDICT:

7
10
Surprisingly capable repair kit in an attractive design, but not markedly better in performance than traditional types.
Weight: 
56g
Contact: 
www.raleigh.co.uk
How we test

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Meqix patch kit brings a little designer chic to the humble puncture repair outfit. The time honoured plastic tin rattling with chalk, marker, patches, solvent and plastic levers has been replaced with an ultra sleek polycarbonate carry case containing a stainless steel buffer, two lozenge shaped levers and eight patches. However, while form certainly doesn't preside over function, a tenner is my limit for this particular saddlebag staple.

Prising open the box, I was hit by a real sense of déjà vu. The gloss black levers themselves are fashioned from polyoxymethylene (POM) – an engineering grade plastic chosen with excellent rigidity, impact and abrasion resistance so it shouldn't snap or wiggle uselessly when trying to ship the final section of ultra stubborn tyre bead on/off the rim.

Despite some minor reservations, the aggressive tips burrow efficiently beneath the bead while an ergonomic thumb groove compensates for their miniscule 9.4 x 1.3cm profiles when applying downward force; although some particularly tight 23mm tyres brought some agricultural language to proceedings. Credit where it's due, they've also worked wonders on the return journey.

If you're fixing a puncture, it's just a case of lightly scuffing the tube, peeling the backing from the malleable hexagonal patches, plonking it in place and pressing firmly for a minute or so to ensure proper purchase.

I'll freely admit to having a poor relationship with self-adhesive patches but there has been no peeling or lifting. Meqix seem to hold the notion that the dreaded hiss comes in universal sizes but they don't so a selection of differently sized patches would be welcome.

Verdict

Surprisingly capable repair kit in an attractive design, but not markedly better in performance than traditional types.

road.cc test report

Make and model: Meqix Patchkit

Size tested: n/a

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?

Meqix say nothing other than to confirm its technical composition. Essentially, we've a swish looking patch kit comprising of eight glueless patches,stainless steel tube scuffer and two composite tyre levers that travel in their own composite box.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

- Convenient shiny black PC box

-1 x pair of Meqix high-strength engineered plastic levers

- 8-Meqix glueless power patchs

- Stainless tube scuffer

- Length:104mm, Width:47mm

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
7/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
7/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
7/10
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
7/10
Rate the product for value:
 
6/10

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

The Meqix have proved a pleasant surprise. The resin levers make remarkably short work of stubborn tyres, and while I'm not a fan of glueless patches per se, these adhere very well, with no hint of lifting.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Sharp but functional design.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Nothing in terms of the design but the price is at the upper end of reasonable for a saddlebag staple.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Possibly

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?

Replacement patches are available at £2.99 per block of eight.

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 38  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,

 

Raleigh
puncture
Meqik
Bicycle Maintenance
Shaun Audane

Shaun Audane is a freelance writer/product tester with over twenty-eight years riding experience, the last twelve (120,000 miles) spent putting bikes and kit through their paces for a variety of publications. Previous generations of his family worked at manufacturing's sharp end, thus Shaun can weld, has a sound understanding of frame building practice and a preference for steel or titanium framesets.
Citing Richard Ballantine and an Au pair as his earliest cycling influences, he is presently writing a cycling book with particular focus upon women, families and disabled audiences (Having been a registered care manager and coached children at Herne Hill Velodrome in earlier careers)

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