Living Car Free - Uses for Old Inner Tubes

Ekdog, you wanted this thread!

We use a lot of zip ties at the bike co-op. Mostly to connect component pairs, like pedals, so they can stay together in the parts bins.

When I put these together, I steal an old tube from the trash and cut it up -- lengthwise -- to make little ribbons that I can use instead of zip ties. Just make a knot and you are good to go.

While I'm thinking about it, I've also used tubes to lash packages and gear on by bike rack. They are almost as versatile as bungee cords and they don't ruin you wheel if they get loose.

Add a metal hook at ends of a cut up tube and presto: bungee cord.
Have also used it to lash down a X-mas tree on roof of our Honda.

one 700c tube cut into 2 pieces is perfect for lashing a full grocery bag to a bike rack :)

Why do you keep calling them inner tubes?

They are just tubes where I live.

I use a cross cut of a tube around my puncture repair box to keep it shut and around a spare patched tube to keep it tidy.

Why do you keep calling them inner tubes?

Because that's what they are called.... at least everywhere in the U.S. I've lived.

You can make a giant sling shot between two trees to launch water balloons.

I mentioned in the other thread that I had used a piece of tube as an emergency shim to keep a seat post from sinking down into the seat tube. They can also be used as permanent shims on mountings that go around the handlebars or tubes for lights, computers, locks and so forth. (Pieces from an aluminum beer can can also serve as shims.)

You can also hold up your pants with rubber cut from inner tubes. Just put it behind two adjacent belt loops and cinch knot it. This is known as a "jailhouse belt" or it's sometimes called (where I work) a "psych ward belt."

You can make a giant sling shot between two trees to launch water balloons.

Now I've got plans. :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrfZhEzjWwg&list=PLEA2BA257C6E31D8E&index=2&feature=plpp_video

Tube + old chain = a little extra saddle security.

Why do you keep calling them inner tubes?

They are just tubes where I live.

I use a cross cut of a tube around my puncture repair box to keep it shut and around a spare patched tube to keep it tidy.

Tubes can be electronics, or even a band http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvi44yfdYkA

Tubes can be electronics, or even a band http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvi44yfdYkA

Not to mention down tube, top tube, seat tube--all parts on a bicycle frame. Very confusing if you don't use the modifier!

You can put an inner tube around a chain or cable (like a sleeve) to protect the bike frame or other surface from being scratched. Make a home made lock for your bike with a heavy chain, inner tube sleeve, and a padlock.

Not to mention down tube, top tube, seat tube--all parts on a bicycle frame. Very confusing if you don't use the modifier!

Not really. It's all about context. Never had any confusion. To follow your argument we should call this Forum 'Living Motor-Car Free' to distinguish from other types of 'car', on trains for example.

The english language has developed on either side of the Atlantic in seperate ways and long may it continue.

I use old inner tubes for tidying up loose straps on my tactical gear and rucksacks. Good for tying up cargo straps too. I've even used them for wrapping up the good inner tubes I keep as spares in the garage ;)

Ok... time for another retraction.

I was at the bike co-op today and found a pair of pedals that needed to go in the parts bin. So I reached for a old tube to use it to lash the pair together for future use.

Unfortunately as I cut the tire, I discovered it was full of slime. (Believe me, they call it slime for a reason!) Ewwww!

Usually the tube is a great way to do this, but today I reached for the zip ties. :(

Not really. It's all about context. Never had any confusion. To follow your argument we should call this Forum 'Living Motor-Car Free' to distinguish from other types of 'car', on trains for example.

The english language has developed on either side of the Atlantic in seperate ways and long may it continue.

Over there, I believe Tube could also refer to the subway? Over here, one U.S. Seantor said he understood the Internet--"It's not like a truck. It's a series of tubes."

Tube + old chain = a little extra saddle security.

I've heard that a length of old inner tube can be filled with sand and then tied off at the ends and used as a weapon or--for more peaceful folk--as a device for keeping draughts from coming under the door.

http://www.ehow.com/how_6694341_instructions-draft-stoppers.html

Over there, I believe Tube could also refer to the subway?

You say 'eraser' and I say 'rubber'.

Let's call the whole thing off.:)

autoerotic asphyxiation

one 700c tube cut into 2 pieces is perfect for lashing a full grocery bag to a bike rack :)

Pedicabber here.

A couple of weekends ago a buddy got a flat and they couldnt take off the tire. He had someone bring a new front tire out. When I got that tire to come off as fast as a prom dress. He needed to switch tired because the replacement was torn.

Now he had the problem of having to carry a spare rim. I took the old tube and used it to lash the tube onto the undercarriage of the pedicab.

Also, I am saving old tubes in hopes of making frame bags for the pedicabs.

You say 'eraser' and I say 'rubber'.

Let's call the whole thing off.:)

You say "rubber" I say Condom"

You say "rubber" I say Condom"

Actually, I don't.

I'm old enough to remember a time when we used pieces of old tubes to repair punctures.

If you really want to research the recycling of bicycle equipment you should go to Cuba. Decades of economic sanctions have made the Cuban people experts at 'make do and mend'. When I was there three years ago it was amazing what they could do to keep old bikes on the road.

When the grease in my hub gear froze and the hub was stuck in one gear, I defrosted it with an inner-tube hot water bottle wrapped around the hub shell.

When the grease in my hub gear froze and the hub was stuck in one gear, I defrosted it with an inner-tube hot water bottle wrapped around the hub shell.
Are hub gears prone to this problem? One reason people buy them is because they think IGHs are less likely to freeze, compared to conventional derailleurs.

You can make shoe laces out of them. http://www.instructables.com/id/Make-normal-shoes-into-slip-ons-with-inner-tubes/ I've done this recently. It works pretty well.

You can make shoe laces out of them. http://www.instructables.com/id/Make-normal-shoes-into-slip-ons-with-inner-tubes/ I've done this recently. It works pretty well.

I was thinking about how stretchy the laces would be, when the instructable noted


They stretch out to put your foot in, and stretch back tight.


I've got to give this a try.

You can make shoe laces out of them. http://www.instructables.com/id/Make-normal-shoes-into-slip-ons-with-inner-tubes/ I've done this recently. It works pretty well.

This seems like the best use for old inner tubes we've seen so far. :)

I was thinking about how stretchy the laces would be, when the instructable noted


I've got to give this a try.

Yeah, when I made mine, I made sure to lace them tight enough that when my foot was in them, they had enough tension on them.

This seems like the best use for old inner tubes we've seen so far. :)

I agree. Very cool and different.

If anyone could post a photo or two showing how they lash things onto their bike with old inner tubes, I'd be grateful.

Are hub gears prone to this problem? One reason people buy them is because they think IGHs are less likely to freeze, compared to conventional derailleurs.

Depends on the hub and the way it is serviced. On my old 3 speed hubs I can run a lighter weight oil in the winter with no issues down to below zero. Some of the newer hubs use grease which can get sticky when cold. I have converted a couple of those to oil bath too. :innocent: FWIW in the part of the south I currently live in 10w30 or ATF works year round, advantage of the warmer climate.

Aaron :)

Don't forget the Dutch: binnenband and buitenband (innertube and outertube)

If anyone could post a photo or two showing how they lash things onto their bike with old inner tubes, I'd be grateful.

Check out this video in the With My Own Two Wheels Thread (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/778192-With-my-own-two-wheels). One of the people featured in the video uses an inner tube to strap a medical kit to his bike.

I've seen Mark Martin of the Baton Rouge Advocates for Safe Streets just use a plain tube and tie a knot. You don't need clips.


Here's a link on how to make and use a rather fancy one (http://kentsbike.blogspot.com/2010/09/diy-inner-tube-rack-strap.html).

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5PAf404x7S8/TIT5HV1tZhI/AAAAAAAAaUY/RYVUJ1zUL2c/s320/DSCN1981.JPG

And here are where to get clips http://www.it-clips.com/

I thought the long drawn-out video of how to make a flashlight mount was awesome. We just changed to daylight savings so I don't need another light at the moment, but for a while I was worried because I have a to-be-seen light, and the roads were very dark. A flashlight aimed at the ground would be perfect!

Then there's this (http://www.instructables.com/id/Rockin-Guitar-Strap-from-Bike-Inner-Tube/).

http://www.instructables.com/image/FJU74SKGFRWRKQT/Adjustable-Guitar-Strap-from-Bike-Inner-Tube.jpg

And this (http://www.instructables.com/id/Recycled-harness-hot-things-to-do-with-old-bike-t/).

http://www.instructables.com/image/FTNS8XQF0X27X4B/Recycled-harness-hot-things-to-do-with-old-bike-t.jpg

That roll of duck tape really belongs in the drawer and those jeans should go straight in the laundry bin.

Check out this video in the With My Own Two Wheels Thread (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/778192-With-my-own-two-wheels). One of the people featured in the video uses an inner tube to strap a medical kit to his bike.

I've seen Mark Martin of the Baton Rouge Advocates for Safe Streets just use a plain tube and tie a knot. You don't need clips.


Here's a link on how to make and use a rather fancy one (http://kentsbike.blogspot.com/2010/09/diy-inner-tube-rack-strap.html).

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_5PAf404x7S8/TIT5HV1tZhI/AAAAAAAAaUY/RYVUJ1zUL2c/s320/DSCN1981.JPG

And here are where to get clips http://www.it-clips.com/

Thanks, Artkansas! I'm going to have a go at making one of those fancy ones.

Here:
Doormat:http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS70833hml_kk_5eRw2jN7D5UgFJsVfhUyM5F0833UWhRS9wyEpGTeIRHx5 (http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://greenupgrader.com/files/2008/08/round-bicycle-detail.jpg&imgrefurl=http://greenupgrader.com/3058/recycled-bicycle-inner-tube-rug/&usg=__jdiCZjynR6JcmV74kchhB-Qmewo=&h=542&w=800&sz=81&hl=en&start=2&zoom=1&tbnid=lbBuQcMHCAox_M:&tbnh=97&tbnw=143&ei=fWK8Tu21LuSQiQKcqvGVAw&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dbicycle%2Binner%2Btube%2Bart%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26gbv%3D2%26tbm%3Disch&um=1&itbs=1)

Earrings:http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQShmYV272syNdN4i6PctEnIpJ0rLKZauVpr0Rs4OQ0wdFlZfvE9FKgWyU8DA (http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://img1.etsystatic.com/il_fullxfull.213469085.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.etsy.com/listing/67203036/upcycled-earrings-made-from-bike-inner&usg=__2Srb_AQPYNPld74AKuzseolQQUw=&h=1000&w=1000&sz=288&hl=en&start=25&zoom=1&tbnid=G5vbVUh0ToLHOM:&tbnh=149&tbnw=149&ei=k2O8TpuJEM_OiAL2vqX_Ag&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dbicycle%2Binner%2Btube%2Bart%26start%3D21%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26gbv%3D2%26tbm%3 Disch&um=1&itbs=1)

Wristband:http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSXAxwWIx9IQ-L2WThZhDl8fFYeQKkJ-eafwgzs4uh4bFCiTS26Q3WGwdQ (http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.handmadenw.com/uploaded_images/profile_308_qVmpT8NsAC.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.handmadenw.com/vendors.php%3Fevent%3D%26category%3D22%26name%3D%26vendor%3D308&usg=__KngD59UUNXgE1zb0-t1GEV8P_hE=&h=249&w=250&sz=55&hl=en&start=62&zoom=1&tbnid=ynIMVSGtbOSKbM:&tbnh=111&tbnw=111&ei=xmO8Tte-G5HWiAL26eCxAw&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dbicycle%2Binner%2Btube%2Bart%26start%3D42%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26gbv%3D2%26tbm%3 Disch&um=1&itbs=1)
Mask:http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTETSoAl5JNlx8VrPGatw7VWtlI1YwjANqcWc0p_Kg5NaEmU20N486Psg (http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.handmadenw.com/uploaded_images/profile_308_81LIHBsA0N.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.handmadenw.com/vendors.php%3Fevent%3D%26category%3D22%26name%3D%26vendor%3D308&usg=__eo2SrrISgrh8K9IIehhmqLKPVwg=&h=248&w=250&sz=61&hl=en&start=64&zoom=1&tbnid=Jt1Zpc4Q1FNkOM:&tbnh=110&tbnw=111&ei=BmS8TqGoMszWiAKSvcCQAw&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dbicycle%2Binner%2Btube%2Bart%26start%3D63%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26gbv%3D2%26tbm%3 Disch&um=1&itbs=1)
Snowflakes:http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTk2XamM1tW4FTdrAFyBYZkzRUh24cHYSS1buK9I-JgyuclpLKBbN6aGQ (http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://img0.etsystatic.com/il_170x135.202285000.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.etsy.com/search%3Fincludes%255B%255D%3Dtags%26q%3Dbicycle%2Binner%2Btube&usg=__-Xvk48ev5sAb5_t3znhgo1zxIno=&h=135&w=170&sz=8&hl=en&start=79&zoom=1&tbnid=eO1Yi0GHDHJskM:&tbnh=79&tbnw=99&ei=BmS8TqGoMszWiAKSvcCQAw&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dbicycle%2Binner%2Btube%2Bart%26start%3D63%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26gbv%3D2%26tbm%3 Disch&um=1&itbs=1)
Wall hanging:http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS0XeJtj2UYm-ghf6x0KGA4K3p32pomqQxlLm48GlrOkXXQwaLR7vP4AA (http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://images.thrillist.com/files/images/pieces/201104/pbnu_list_inset.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.thrillist.com/node/201104/CHI&usg=__e3kBlUrqsLKmX3LZqLRxnnGUdYM=&h=200&w=200&sz=8&hl=en&start=138&zoom=1&tbnid=2w-jfu70ZXzy-M:&tbnh=104&tbnw=104&ei=nWS8TquKGaWuiQK5k72ZAw&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dbicycle%2Binner%2Btube%2Bart%26start%3D126%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26gbv%3D2%26tbm% 3Disch&um=1&itbs=1)
Lights:http://www.coolthings.com/wp-content/themes/coolio/scripts/timthumb.php?src=http://www.coolthings.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/bikechandeliers3.jpg&h=160&w=228&zc=1 (http://www.coolthings.com/chandeliers-built-from-recycled-bike-parts/)
A little something for you and the your honey:http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTNTg66pYyQkgnHFZVPYcVa0OaD8K2Ekhne3O_ktHNOfEHheqGugPA2quU (http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.bikejuju.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/flogger.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.bikejuju.com/2009/bicycle-art-innertube-floggers-cuffs-and-garters/&usg=__YnT4rHZyAef4sGZ_Cf3dVBcFyhk=&h=375&w=500&sz=88&hl=en&start=235&zoom=1&tbnid=Wk1_mPZF89UhRM:&tbnh=98&tbnw=130&ei=jWW8TsHBFYiZiALhvM2sAw&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dbicycle%2Binner%2Btube%2Bart%26start%3D231%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26gbv%3D2%26tbm% 3Disch&um=1&itbs=1)

Here's a link on how to make and use a rather fancy one (http://kentsbike.blogspot.com/2010/09/diy-inner-tube-rack-strap.html).

I found an instructables link (http://www.instructables.com/id/10-of-1000-Uses-for-Old-Bicycle-Tubes)in the comment section on "1000 uses for a bicycle inner tube." Including a notebook, cell phone cover and wallet. (although I liked their duct tape wallet better.)

If anyone could post a photo or two showing how they lash things onto their bike with old inner tubes, I'd be grateful.

helps if you have a rack ;)

http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/9687/p1010001ed.jpg

http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/6900/p1010002on.jpg

I would try to also lash that bag to the seatpost. Fast turns could be interesting.

Panniers might work better...

trust me it's not going anywhere :) panniers prolly would be better but i dont have any

I spent probably a whole year of carting food on makeshift devices... cotton groceries bags lashed to the rack. One day, I lost a few spokes as a result of my groceries getting loose. Then I happily made the switch to a solid pannier. (Although I did manufacture it myself...our of a daypack and some framing corners.)

I forgot this. I have a steel water bottle (couldnt handle the taste of plastic anymore) and a steel water bottle cage. Of course this means major rattling, especially when the bottle is empty. Again, I cut up some nice length of tube and wrapped it around the outside of the cage.

No more rattles.

Although my drink now tastes like inner tube ... (no just kidding...:))

People make various bags, wallets, etc from car and truck tire inner tubes and sell them on - they even have a presence in the high fashion market.. Bike inner tubes are smaller, but still very useful..

In San Francisco, a company called "Used Rubber" up until not so long ago, had a store where they sold very attractive, very solidly made bags, wallets, a great many items, all made from inner tubes. They had bike messenger bags.. made from car inner tubes.

I forgot this. I have a steel water bottle (couldnt handle the taste of plastic anymore) and a steel water bottle cage. Of course this means major rattling, especially when the bottle is empty. Again, I cut up some nice length of tube and wrapped it around the outside of the cage.

No more rattles.

Although my drink now tastes like inner tube ... (no just kidding...:))

I made a water bladder out of an old inner tube. I can get a couple quarts in an inner tube, drape it over my shoulder and suck water through the valve stem while I'm driving. The taste really isn't too bad either, as long as you don't use a tube that has Slime in it!







JK :D

Lol... slime flavored water? Could rival Gatorade...

Lol... slime flavored water? Could rival Gatorade...

Just what you need for your next endurance ride Slime and Gu. You'll have energy and you won't leak.