Knog Porno patches puncture kit

Knog’s penchant for outlandish names continues, although dubbing a puncture repair kit “porno patches” suggests they’re intended for repairing inflatable sex toys. While I’m more leave than take when it comes to the graphics, styling and name, credit where it’s due: the adhesive patches work better than most. However, aesthetics appear to take precedence-not what’s needed nursing a flat down a dark lane in the dead of night.

A clever magnetized box, designed to attach itself limpet like to a multi-tool, opens secret passage style to reveal folding, hinged glass fibre tyre levers, a selection of self-adhesive patches and sand paper strip. While nice executive toys, the colour-coordinated folding tyre levers are very much emergency items only. Take a proper set to be on the safe side, especially if your tyres are the proverbial pig to get on and off.

Cartoon patch graphics are what you’d consider subversive as a teenager and like a host of other things; don’t seem quite so clever now. However, they effect good a repair even on badly wounded tubes but preparation’s crucial. Give the area a liberal sanding and warm the chosen patch between your fingers so it’s as supple as possible before peeling off and applying over the hole, smoothing evenly to ensure they’re thoroughly seated.

At 75g you’d hardly notice it in a jersey pocket or seat pack and being magnetic largely eliminates annoying rattles when sharing space with multi-tools. Re-fills are available separately for £3.99 should you exhaust the originals but for all their attempts to make the humble patch kit uber chic, old school repair outfits with decent patches represent much better value.

Verdict

Some nice touches but a case of form over function.