Slime tubes or strip?

[Dynocoaster]

I was wondering if it was recommended to use Slime tubes or the strips inside the tires? Thanks.

[jur]

I use the strips but I sand the ends smooth. MUST.

[Dynocoaster]

Thanks, I noticed the mention of slime in your post of the Big Apples and was wondering how many used it. I use the tubes for my daughters bike.

[Chessbored]

I've heard about these and I'm intrigued. I've been away from cycling for a very long time and not up to speed. Can somebody give me a price comparison for Slime and strips? Which is more cost effective please?

[golden_foldie]

I bought a couple of Slime tubes for use as spares, on the recommendation of a friend. Haven't used one yet, though.

(Sorry, Chessbored, no idea about price comparison.)

[Chessbored]

How do these Slime tubes work? I've seen pre-packed tubes with the slime already included but I understand you can buy the slime separately? How the heck do you get it into the tube? If you inject it some way doesn't it seal up your valves? I think the slime tubes were petty cheap. Anyone know if you can get them for 20" wheels, suitable for a Dahon Speed D7 folder?

[Dynocoaster]

I paid $7 for a tube 20" for my daughters BMX. I didnt see how much the strips were.

[veloceleste]

I use Mr. Tuffy tire liners in My R20 and mountain bike. They are heavier than slime liners. I haven't had any problems and they have been in my mountain bike tires for years.

[jur]

The strips are overpriced here in Oz, about $15 for one where they are $5 for one in the US. I haven't looked at tube prices.

The slime is injected into the valve (obviously). When deflating, it can be difficult and you have to get the valve at the top to allow gravity to work for you.

[golden_foldie]

Here, Chessbored, all sorts of Slime tubes, Slime in a bottle, etc., is available for you to compare and read about at Amazon.co.uk:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_w_h_/203-2262905-8924720?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=slime+tube&x=10&y=15

[Chessbored]

Here, Chessbored, all sorts of Slime tubes, Slime in a bottle, etc., is available for you to compare and read about at Amazon.co.uk:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_w_h_/203-2262905-8924720?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=slime+tube&x=10&y=15
Thanks for the pointer. Funnily enough since I posted last I've had a flat in my back wheel. :mad: I was on a local dedicated bike route and couldn't get round a group of people. I rang my bell a couple of times, tried a polite, "Excuse me please", a few more rings...No joy. They were oblivious to me and there was no room to pass. I gave a few more rings and decided I was up against a group of morons and rode round them - right though some little glass splinters on the edge of the track - didn't spot them as I was too busy scanning the crowd trying to figure out why I wasn't visible to them.

So I think I'll patch this one up tonight and look into some slime. Also I have seized nuts on my back wheel - no amount of tapping, swearing or WD40 will budge them. Last flat I changed without removing the wheel and I'll do it again if I have to but it's fiddly and time consuming. I'm a bit fed up as the bike is only 8 weeks old.

Short of heating them with a blowtorch I cant see how to loosen them - dont want to risk my paintwork or damage the threads so I'll probably have to get the bus up to my LBS when I need the wheel freed.

[Chessbored]

I just purchased something online a few moments ago. It's essentially the same as Slime tube sealant - it's called Dr Sludge. Read a few reviews which rate both products quite highly but I was able to get an excellent price and free and speedy shipping on Dr Sludge so I went for that. It comes with a gadget to remove the core from my schrader valve included and is apparently easy to use. :)

Hopefully have it installed by Thursday.

[jur]

For the nuts wouldn't a long lever work? My guess they just have been tightened with an air ratchet tool or a gorilla with a cheat bar.

[Chessbored]

I don't have a long lever but I will ask my friend if he has one I can borrow. I'm not sure how they've been tightened but whatever the technique they did a hell of a good job! When I noticed the nut was beggining to grind the edges off I backed away from the brute force approach. It's frustrating and seems such a trivial thing to have to make a bit of an awkard journey for.

I think I'll have another go in the morning and perhaps squirt some more WD40 on them tonight and see if that helps.

[Chessbored]

Well I got the nuts loosened. My friend didnt have a long lever but between us we managed to get the wheel out. Spent an eternity tapping the nuts, bolt and frame from all manner of angles with an adjustable spanner and soaking the whole lot in WD40. They took a phenomenal amount of force to shift - we've both got big marks on our hands. God knows how they were tightened - my friend is a bit of a car freak and very mechanical and he was astounded by them. Luckily in the excitement he seized the wheel and ran off and sorted my puncure in a spirit of triumphalism! He was so pleased to get the nuts loose he gave my bike an entire service on a wave of enthusiasm. Everything is lovely now although I was a bit concerned to notice how slack the clasp on the fold has gotten. 2 weeks ago it took some force to snap it shut but today it was floppy. Soon tightened it to a good tension but wonder how it slackened so much? He even rewired my bathroom fan and fixed my fridge he was so psyched - it's good to know technical types who refuse to be beaten.

[bicyclridr4life]

I use both slime and liners in all my tires. I hate flats.

[Moochers_Dad]

I use liners, but I recommend tapering the edge with a sharp knife so it's not blunt. Also, fold some duct tape over the edge about a half inch and you'll never have a problem with the liner cutting into a tube (which is very common otherwise.) I just installed some slime ones on a new wheel / tire combo and didn't tape the edges; I flatted with a clean cut right where the liner overlapped after 100 miles.

SpinSkins seem like a good idea until you read the poorly written instructions and realize that even if they were written better, they still seem like a pain in the rear to install and maintain.

[jur]

Everything is lovely now although I was a bit concerned to notice how slack the clasp on the fold has gotten. 2 weeks ago it took some force to snap it shut but today it was floppy. Soon tightened it to a good tension but wonder how it slackened so much? I forgot which bike you have, but from the above I'm guessing it's a Dahon? Dahons have chronically loosening handlepost latch screws. There are 6 screws in total, none of which ore positively retained. Apparently, Dahon owners think it is just fine to every month or so re-tighten the various screws. Me, I would use Loctite.

So that is what I advise - make sure your friend gets the latch mech set up perfectly, then Loctite all the screws.