Author Topic: self sealing innertubes  (Read 18110 times)

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Offline bigringer

self sealing innertubes
« on: April 27, 2007, 08:27:22 pm »
I am considering using self sealing innertubes to reduce flats.  I don't have a problem with changing tubes, but they can be a pain, especially on a fully loaded touring bike and most of my flats seem to be very small punctures.  just wondering if anyone has used them and what brand seems to work the best.


Offline miles2go

self sealing innertubes
« Reply #1 on: April 27, 2007, 09:30:42 pm »
Hello and welcome to loaded bike touring. 

I think you'd have to look pretty far to find much of an interest among experienced tourers in the tubes you speak of.  Touring specific tires take care of us all pretty well in regards to flat resistance.  For instance, in all the years that Nancy and I have been touring we've had zero flats.  This kind of tire performance is common among the handful of touring favorites made by Continental and Schwalbe.  Also the Vittoria Randonneur Pro (and happens to be on sale at Nashbar) has been getting good early reviews.  In my experience anything beyond normal tubes and good tires is just useless additional spinning weight that deadens road feel.

The Schwalbe Marathon line is probably the most popular but I've been using Conti for a decade and continue to do so on several of our bikes.

Tailwinds,

« Last Edit: April 28, 2010, 03:12:19 am by miles2go »

Offline ptaylor

self sealing innertubes
« Reply #2 on: April 28, 2007, 08:48:30 am »
Hi BigRing.

In the upper right corner of this window is a search button. Do a 365 day search on "tire seal" (without the quotes).

Like Ron, the only thing I want in my tubes is air.

Paul
Paul

Offline Badger

self sealing innertubes
« Reply #3 on: April 29, 2007, 11:28:24 pm »
One of the problems with them is if you get a puncture and the nail or glass stays in the tire.  The seal may stop the leak until the the offending piece of debris punctures the tube again.  Buy good tires.


Offline TCS

self sealing innertubes
« Reply #4 on: April 30, 2007, 09:13:05 am »
We rode the Caprock Canyon Trailway in the Texas Panhandle.  Since the equestrians don't want cyclists on this public multi-use path, they talked the parks department into letting the trail overgrow, so now it's "paved" with puncture vine.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tribulus_terrestris

In 34 miles of riding over puncture vine thorns, our two friends riding with belted "flat resistant" tires got 19 tire deflations requiring repair.  My wife and I used Slimed tubes under standard tires, and as our friends would stop to repair yet another flat we would pull the thorns out of our tires.  There'd be a tiny hiss and a little green dot would appear on the tire.  At the end of the day we'd lost less than 5psi, and hadn't had to repair a single puncture.

YMMV,
Tom

"My name is Pither.  I am at present on a cycling tour of the North Cornwall area taking in Bude and..."

Offline Jackalope

self sealing innertubes
« Reply #5 on: May 01, 2007, 08:25:26 am »
Any opinions on "slime" for your tubes?

Is slime a waste of my money and time?  Thanks :)


Offline roadrunner

self sealing innertubes
« Reply #6 on: May 09, 2007, 02:09:02 am »
Living and riding in Arizona for 9 years where about every plant has thorns has made a Slime-believer out of me.  The minor, virtually unnoticeable to me, additional weight beats the heck out of frequent flats tires, and the Slime is lighter than a batch of extra tubes.  I ride with non-Sliming friends and frequently get to watch them practice their flat-fixing skills. I like the Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires I've used for flat-free touring.  I rode them about 2 weeks here before getting a thorn-induced flat.  Since sliming the tubes about a year ago -- no flats.  The fixation to shave weight isn't a top priority to me, not only when I'm hauling 35 pounds of touring gear, but also when I'm just riding for enjoyment or exercise.


Offline ptaylor

self sealing innertubes
« Reply #7 on: May 11, 2007, 06:55:47 pm »
I guess this is one more reason I'm glad I live in Indiana.

Paul
Paul

Offline litespeed

self sealing innertubes
« Reply #8 on: May 12, 2007, 10:42:44 am »
Yo, roadrunner. The biggest slime tubes I can find are 700 x 28-32 Lites. Would these be all right on my 700 x 37 Contis? These would be a real flat-saver if I get back to Nebraska or eastern Oregon and those miserable little spiky burrs.

This message was edited by litespeed on 5-12-07 @ 6:43 AM

Offline boonebikeguy

self sealing innertubes
« Reply #9 on: May 21, 2007, 10:45:35 am »
Hey Big Ringer,

Uhm I wouold never buy tubes with any self-sealent in them...Just on general principle. Too many things go wrong with them, they are normally expensive and I remember back when they were the 'rave' all my mountain bike buddies had them and I seem to recall that they were more trouble than worth . Just my 2-bits. If it matters, buy the tire inserts.. Mr.Tuffy was one I think? They worked for me when I rode mountain in the plains of Texas where you have constant thorns and such.

"Love is a river where crazy people drown"--Kyrgyz proverb
"Love is a river where crazy people drown"--Kyrgyz proverb

Offline roadrunner

self sealing innertubes
« Reply #10 on: May 24, 2007, 02:50:02 am »
Sorry I was "off the net" for a few days, litespeed.  To make it easier to find tubes "in the boonies", I drilled out my rims to accept Schraeder valves, so I just put Slime in 700x35-38 tubes myself for 38mm tires.  There are other sealents that can apparently be put into Presta-valve tubes, but I didn't find they work as well as Slime.


Offline BikingViking

self sealing innertubes
« Reply #11 on: June 05, 2007, 01:07:19 pm »
Say what you will about slime tubes, they are the best if you live in thorn country like I do. I ride by those macho 'no slime' guys while they are fixing flats. I have used slime for 15 years and will continue to do so. No one likes to fix flats.


Offline mudmin

self sealing innertubes
« Reply #12 on: September 14, 2007, 12:40:02 am »
I bought slime brand road tires in a pinch (no pun intended) on a tour.  They were SO BAD that they just burst randomly while I was riding. I went 12,000 miles without a flat and had THREE of those things leave me with a green mess on the side of the road.  Some people love them.  I don't :)


Offline MichaelTheWingN

self sealing innertubes
« Reply #13 on: September 14, 2007, 09:25:58 am »
I am not a big fan of self sealing tires...the ones I have used not only developed flats, but turned out to be sticky messes. If you really desire to try sealant, then I would recommend "slime" -- http://www.slime.com/ -- and carry a valve tool and an extra valve as the sealant will ruin the valve. I just started using Slime tire liners this season and they are fantastic! They are much thinner and lighter then the rubber/plastic versions so they fit into the narrower road tires far easier. I haven't had a flat this season as of yet --  knock on particle board.

Have a good ride!

Get a bicycle. You will not regret it. If you live. Mark Twain
Get a bicycle. You will not regret it. If you live. Mark Twain