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review
Puncture kits
Lezyne Smart Patch puncture kitLezyne Smart Patch puncture kit

Lezyne Smart Patch puncture kit

6
by Shaun Audane
UPDATED Thu, Oct 15, 2015 04:24

First Published Apr 15, 2009

0
£2.99
Buy this online

VERDICT:

6
10
Not a bad kit but patch adhesion is a little uneven
Weight: 
0g
Contact: 
www.upgradebikes.co.uk
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Lezyne clearly believes small is beautiful but I’m afraid the smart kit might be a case of form over function. It’s a compact roadside patch kit, smaller than a book of stamps and comprising of an emergency tyre boot, six glueless patches and a small stainless steel tube scuffer.

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.

Verdict

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

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?

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.

Overall rating: 6/10

About the tester

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,

repair
puncture
patch
Lezyne
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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