btole79

This is going to get old real quick. I have been commuting to work for almost 4 months now and never had an issue. Last Friday I rode to work and got a flat, not a big deal but a little agrovating. My bad for not carrying a pump and having to walk the rest of the way to work. Changed the tube over the weekend and start my ride this morning and get a flat again in the same place of my commute. GRRR.

Are there any tubes that have the slime inside to prevent this that anyone recomends?

Seems after the first rain there is a lot more crap in the road.

Thanks,

carbondale

Yes. You can purchase pre-Slimed tubes with either Schrader or Presta valves. I just had my first flat of the year and I drive over lots of potholes and discarded beer bottles.

Kojak

Sounds to me like the "culprit" may still be embedded in your tire. If you cannot find anything still stuck in your tire, you may want to take a look and see how worn your tire is. I know when I get two flats in a relatively short period of time, it's generally been my tire telling me that it's worn out.

Has anyone ever posted a review on the "slime tubes"? I'd be curious how well they work.

Another option is to go for a tire that resists flats. We make some, as do all the major tire companies. I like to think that ours is best, but many here will make arguments that the one they like is not ours. Our most puncture resistant tire will never be mistaken for a racing tire, but you're not likely to get a flat, which for commuting is sometimes more important than speed.

10 Wheels

Flats are part of bike riding. Learn first to determine the cause of each one.
Carry spare tubes and a patch kit with a pump or CO2 of your choice.

25 flats ytd for me. 10 flats in 2600 miles with Schwalbe Marathon tires.

xtrajack

2 flats in a little over a year of almost daily riding. None since I went to Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires.
I don't use any slime, goop, or muck in my tires. I used to swear by Mr. Tuffy tire liners.

btole79

On my normal Road Bike I have only had about 5 in the past year and always prepared for them with extra tubes and CO2. Guess I do not think about carrying the stuff since i only have a 4 mile commute.

carbondale

I think they work very well. I had my first flat since last October (which prompted me to get Slimed). Last Friday I ran a quick errand and noticed my tire pressure was very low, but I was close enough to home to ride on 50% pressure. When I pumped it up, I heard the leak and felt a pretty good sized leak, but as the pressure decreased, the Slime was able to seal it. Good for a short ride home or bike shop, in case you're not equipped (like I wasn't)

echotraveler

+1

Artkansas 

If you got both flats in the same place, it might behoove you to stop just short of the spot, get off and remove the offending debris from the roadway.

Kojak

Sounds like it could be good insurance.

I'd be happy to sell everyone with flat issues Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires, but for some, a $50/tire solution is sometimes not reasonable. Alternatives that work are worth knowing about.

pharasz

Three months on my Specialized Armadillos and no flats. I don't even carry a repair kit.

X-LinkedRider

Umm you also might want to check to see if there is any glass or wire that got stuck to the INSIDE of the tire. but I agree, My specialized armadillos/Nimbus elites or Infinity's with flapjacks have never gotten a flat yet. I ride all over the place and the both handle all terrains pretty flawlessly.

If you want more road tires, check out the Bontrager Race Lite (triple case). Also a GREAT rolling incredibly durable puncture proof tire from personal experience.

CbadRider

I have used Slime tubes in the past and they work well for small punctures.

I am currently on my second set of Performance Forte Pro kevlar tires:
https://www.performancebike.com/bikes...0_20000_50005\

I have had one flat in 3000 miles of riding on these tires.

X-LinkedRider

As far as the tire liners, in some local groups here we use some old tubes cut down to line tires or exposed rims on rough rides. For a free or extremely cheap solution, it also works well.

alpacalypse

As others have said, it's worth checking the tire to see if you left a bit of glass in it or something.

Slimed tubes work for sealing punctures. However, while they eliminate the need to patch a tire, you should be aware that they don't prevent punctures. When a puncture does occur, you still need to find whatever caused the puncture and remove it before the tube can seal itself, and depending on how much air you lose in the process you may still have to pump it up again.

When I rode mountain bikes near Santa Fe last summer, I had lots of thorn problems and switched to a combination of slime tubes and belted tires. But for normal usage, I find that good belted tires make slimed tubes more or less unnecessary, and they're nicer because you don't have to worry about pumping them up and finding the cause of a puncture when you hit something nasty. Schwalbe, Vittoria and Continental are three brands I know of that make very good tires with flat protection. Schwalbe's Marathon Plus is the be-all-end-all, with a thick layer of plastic inside, but it's pretty heavy and uncomfortable. I've done fine with my Big Apples.

wneumann

I have.

Depending on your riding conditions and what other precautions your taking they may or may not be worthwhile. E.g. I don't use them now, but I've lived in areas where I wouldn't ride without them, if it could be helped.

caloso

I have Mr. Tuffy liners on my commuter and, now that it's the off-season, on my race bike too. They've worked well for me.

bmt074

Sometimes you can go through periods of bad luck - in my two previous years of cycling I only experienced one flat.

This year is a different story however - I am now on my fourth tire since the beginning of the year (in all cases the tube and tire had to be replaced). Tire #3 I decided to get an expensive heavy-duty puncture-resistant tire and that lasted me about three weeks. Something managed to shred through it like a hot knife through butter. I went back to a standard tire and it has lasted me for the last 150 miles or so and counting (knock on wood).

In all cases where my tire burst I had to walk a few miles home which I am fine with. I don't carry any spare stuff for my basic commutes because the prospect of walking a few miles home doesn't really bother me.

Bicycling is still more than worth it though!

NormanF

Buy better quality tires. Schwalbe Marathons, Panaracer Ribmos, Michelin City Pilots and Specialized Armadillos. They all have puncture protection. You will never need to worry about getting sucky flat tubes again!

BrooklyntoNYC

Well start with kelvar based tires whether from Conti or the other Guys, I happen to use Conti UltraGators and Nashbar Prima 2 plus road for now. I'm riding in the street of Brooklyn to the Brooklyn Bridge or the Manhattan Bridge and so far, the Prima 2 plus are holding up pretty good. I also have tire liners, but don't know how to install them, they move around too much. See if they will work for you. I do carry patches and a Pump in case though