Road Cycling - Baby Powder on bike tubes???

A guy I work with suggested putting your spare tube(s) in a zip lock baggie with a little baby powder inside. He says it will allow the tube to move inside the tire when you begin to inflate it and will eliminate pinch flats from twisted tubes during installation. It makes sense....Has anyone ever heard of or tried this?

Hi On Your Right-

It is absolutely the correct technique. It reduces friction and maximizes tube/tire performance. That is exactly how I carry spare tubes in the pouch beneath my saddle.

~ Blue Jays ~

I think it is a little high maintenance to go to that amount of effort. Obviously it doesn't hurt, but it isn't necessary.

Tubes used to sold with talc on them back in the day. Baby powder is mostly talc and I use it when it is available, makes getting everything in place a bit easier, especially when the tire and tube are both new. by the way, you only need a little for it to be effective.

Wonder how much the powder that sticks to the tube weighs? That must be taken into consideration!!!

I think Specialized tubes are still sold with a light layer of talc. It does make installing the tire a little easier. Any claims of reduced flats are a little dubious.

And it will be as soft as a baby's bottom...

I use flour rather than baby powder, but only because i don't have any baby powder

I do it when I replace a tire in my shop. It keeps the tubes from sticking to the tires. It's one of those things that I think is nice to do but I don't think that it's really very important.

I just use a buttfor. It works fine.

the baby powder also keeps the tube from sticking to itself while in your saddle bag. If the tube sticks to itself it can actually put a small tear in it which will ruin the tube and defeat the purpose of having it in the first place.

Been using baby powder on all of my tubes since I've been riding. That's the first thing I do when I buy new tubes, put them each into a zip lock bag with baby powder.

I have an old bottle of talc based baby powder in my garage. It nice to put on, makes install a bit (but not measurably) easier. I put a few shakes in the tube bag under saddle too, keeps it from sticking in heat.

I'd avoid organic powders (i.e. cornstarch, flour) some of which may attract moisture, clump or decompose.

Its nice coming out of the garage with the clean fresh smell of BP instead of old chaingrease and solvent.

Al

I just use a buttfor. It works fine.
Dear DrPete,

What's a buttfor?


Sincerely,

Phil McCracken

Dear DrPete,

What's a buttfor?

For pooping, silly. :D

I always powder and bag tubes. Reduces risk of damaging tube due to vibration against multi-tool, keys, etc., in your saddle bag. The "reduces flats" part is when you install on tight rims and want to prevent pinching the tube with edge of tire and/or tire iron. Reduction in friction allows tube to slip into place more easily than tube w/o talc. Mfgs have stopped using talc because of the concern re liability in asbestos litigation (small amts of asbestos can be in talc).

Mfgs have stopped using talc because of the concern re liability in asbestos litigation (small amts of asbestos can be in talc).
So I have vintage Baby Powder! (it was probably bought new in the 80s)

Al

A guy I work with suggested putting your spare tube(s) in a zip lock baggie with a little baby powder inside. He says it will allow the tube to move inside the tire when you begin to inflate it and will eliminate pinch flats from twisted tubes during installation. It makes sense....Has anyone ever heard of or tried this?

I didn't know anybody hadn't heard of this. Isn't this the normal standard practice before installing a tube.
I usually pour a pile of powder in my hand, the run the tube through that hand to lightly coat the surface. Then install in tire, seat tire bead, inflate just a bit, then push back the tire bead to make sure the tube is up in the tire and isn't sticking out the side. Do this all the way around the tire on both sides.
In 21 years of road riding I can count the number of flats on one hand. I guess I'm doing something right with tubes/tires.

I usually don't carry the tube in a bag with powder though, but then again, with the number of times I use a spare tube to change a flat I suppose I have to worry about old age dry rot more than anything else.

Mfgs have stopped using talc because of the concern re liability in asbestos litigation (small amts of asbestos can be in talc).

Not true. There is plenty of talcum powder on the market and it does not contain asbestos. Talc for home usage has no asbestos contamination. There was a study done by Johns Hopkins a few years back debunking this myth.

It's strange because latex surgical gloves usually have some kind of coating to make them less sticky, but the Michelin latex tubes I have are pretty slippery, almost like they're powdered. They go in easier than butyl, IMHO...

cornstarch works too.

cornstarch works too.
It can at first, but if you've ever taken out a tube from a tire used in rain that used cornstarch you'll find it has turned browns and clumpy scabs have developed. Its also can be messy if you need to change a tube in the rain.
Al

I use Gold Bond because then I can throw a little on myself in cases of summer swamp ass.

For pooping, silly. :D

DAMN YOU! I just spewed milk all over my keyboard/monitor laughing.

-D

DAMN YOU! I just spewed milk all over my keyboard/monitor laughing.

-D

Glad I could help. :beer:

Dr Pete, I can't believe someone fell for that. Good job.

I use "peckerfor"
:roflmao:

Dr Pete, I can't believe someone fell for that. Good job.

I can't believe someone genuinely believes somebody "fell for that".




btw, baby powder is also great for keeping private bits loose fresh and dry!

Not true. There is plenty of talcum powder on the market and it does not contain asbestos. Talc for home usage has no asbestos contamination. There was a study done by Johns Hopkins a few years back debunking this myth.

I didn't say that all talc has asbestos. I said it can. And probably did, in thepast. Anyway, fear of litigation trumps actual causation in many cases. ;)


Andy: I wanna go swimming.

Lou: I thought you didn't like the sea. I thought you said the sea was a dark and brutal force that has dragged many an innocent to a watery grave...

Andy: Yeah I know.

A guy I work with suggested putting your spare tube(s) in a zip lock baggie with a little baby powder inside. He says it will allow the tube to move inside the tire when you begin to inflate it and will eliminate pinch flats from twisted tubes during installation. It makes sense....Has anyone ever heard of or tried this?

Yep, I do it all the time. Actually, I put the tube & some baby powder in a small paper bag & shake vigorously. That coats the tube with powder. Then I transfer the tube *only* (minus the remaining loose powder) into a Ziplock bag which goes in my saddlebag. Ya don't want too much talc on them, just enough.

Ya don't want too much talc on them, just enough.
Too much just adds to the fun of a roadside tube swap. Not only can you carelessly end up covered in road grime and chain grease, but one can give themselves an ashen look with the powder wiped all over face and forearms (looks good on black bike shorts too)

al

It's strange because latex surgical gloves usually have some kind of coating to make them less sticky, but the Michelin latex tubes I have are pretty slippery, almost like they're powdered. They go in easier than butyl, IMHO...
Why do you ride with Latex over butyl? Have you had good results? Be interested in your experience with latex as I was thinking about trying them myself. Pros and cons? Thanks

See explanation for using Le Tour Fast Talc. http://www.branfordbike.com/cgi-bin/perlshop/perlshop.cgi?ACTION=push&thispage=tires/tire6.html&ORDER_ID=293780590#item3

You gotta read the label on baby powder. My walmart had 2 kinds. One listed ingredients as talc, fragrance. That's the one I bought. I not only got my talc, but it smells purdy, too. Dirt cheap, under a buck. The second baby powder had corn starch and several other ingredients in the mix, so I passed on that one.

Why do you ride with Latex over butyl? Have you had good results? Be interested in your experience with latex as I was thinking about trying them myself. Pros and cons? Thanks

I've been really happy with the Michelin latex tubes (AirComp A1 Latex). Pros seem to be puncture resistance and supple ride. The puncture resistance might just be luck, but judging by the number of small punctures in the tire, something has made it through the tire at some point, but no flats. The other big pro is the ride. I do think that for a given tire at a given psi, the ride is a little more supple. Cons are cost and need to inflate regularly. If you don't check your tires before every ride, you'll need to if you switch to latex. They can lose 5-10 psi a day if they're just sitting there.

Hope that helps.

Only thing it can be a real hassle if your bag gets searched. Detainment while they do tests on the suspicious white powder to see if any illicit substance is mixed in ... it can ruin a whole afternoon, at least :mad:

Dr Pete, I can't believe someone fell for that. Good job.

I'm guessing that Mr. "Phil McCracken" didn't really fall for it. ;)

I use Gold Bond because then I can throw a little on myself in cases of summer swamp ass.

Also known as monkey butt, and there's a cure:http://antimonkeybutt.com/prodimages/bottle_l.jpg

If folded carefully a road tube will fit into a snack size ziplock bag. Nice and tight and keeps babypowder from coating the inside of your seat bag.

Just don't do it on a wet day, it'll all turn into a white-brown sticky mess! :D

This says the whole thing is urban legend BS:

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/brandt/talcum.html

I use it - can't hurt and smells good.

- Mark

Only thing it can be a real hassle if your bag gets searched. Detainment while they do tests on the suspicious white powder to see if any illicit substance is mixed in ... it can ruin a whole afternoon, at least :mad:
Only if you are being judged to be capable of sucking and licking a rubber tube.:D

This says the whole thing is urban legend BS:

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/brandt/talcum.html
I believe it. These days, the inner of tyres all have a layer of slippery rubber release agent on the surface (don't know if it's deliberate or residue from manufacturing), these would allow the tube to slide so much easier than some caked up talcum powder.

This says the whole thing is urban legend BS:

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/brandt/talcum.html

I use it - can't hurt and smells good.

- Mark

The Sheldon Brown notes make sense... doesn't do anthing but release air quicker in a snakebite puncture, huh? No talc for me...

Great. I've been using talc powder for years and now I realize maybe for nothing.

I'm guessing that Mr. "Phil McCracken" didn't really fall for it.

Guess I should read before I post. Think I'll change my name to Ryan.

For pooping, silly. :D

My, my you filled McCraken!

I've been really happy with the Michelin latex tubes (AirComp A1 Latex). Pros seem to be puncture resistance and supple ride. The puncture resistance might just be luck, but judging by the number of small punctures in the tire, something has made it through the tire at some point, but no flats. The other big pro is the ride. I do think that for a given tire at a given psi, the ride is a little more supple. Cons are cost and need to inflate regularly. If you don't check your tires before every ride, you'll need to if you switch to latex. They can lose 5-10 psi a day if they're just sitting there.

Hope that helps.
Thanks, that was helpful; think I'll try em. Is there a particular place you buy them given that they are kind of expensive...internet store like PBK? Thanks

Thats awesome, i never knew that!

For pooping, silly. :D

can't believe somebody stepped into that one :D

I'm guessing that Mr. "Phil McCracken" didn't really fall for it. ;)
Actually, he did. ;) Egged on by his good friend Paddy O'Furniture.