[Obligatory GP4000S comment here]

I notice the OP hasn't replied...

There are a number of questions that need to be answered to give a good answer -
1. What kind of bike and riding are you doing? Road bike or hybrid? Mountain biking? Commuting? Racing? Training? Leisurely? etc
2. Did you found the puncture each time?
- Was it on the inside of the tube, where the tube presses against the wheel? (If so, getting a new tire won't help)
- Did you make sure you got whatever punctured the tire out of the tire?
3. Are there any special hazards in your area - goatheads, cactus?
4. How badly do you want something "inexpensive"?

I used them when I rode crappier roads. There have been instances where my pressure dropped from 115 psi to 50 psi mid ride due to fairly large punctures. The slime sealed it and I was able to pump it back up to normal pressure and continue riding. In most cases with smaller punctures, I didn't even notice any pressure drop and rode on as usual.

The sealing is permanent. Once the stuff dries, it's like tennis ball fiber and will last until the tube is ultimately replaced (due to a pinch, cut, valve breakage, or valve stem separation).

The only thing you have to mess around with is the valve on occasion. The valve unscrews from the stem for cleaning out clogs, but can also unscrew itself if you're not careful when pumping it up regularly.

Thanks! I'll order a set and see how I like them. Honestly, it'd be worth it to me to replace a pair every damn month if I didn't have flat tires interrupt my rides. Especially when the "ride" is the bike leg of a tri! :bang:

I dunno, I haven't used them myself but when the topic of slime and tires comes up, usually a couple of people chime in who have had bad experiences with it. Apparently if the slime doesn't work, it's difficult or impossible to use a regular patch on the tube. The was something else to, but I can't remember what it was...

Yeah, a bit of a puzzle that...

Me, I ride GP4000's with either Conti Race or Conti Race Light tubes (as low as 63gm ea.), and flats seem to occur at a random frequency. But I can tell you exactly what caused each and every one of them.

I also inflate to proper pressure before each ride, an check my tires after every ride, looking for damage, and to dig out the miscellaneous bits of glass and stuff stuck in the tread so it can't work it's way through later.

I wouldn't say I've ever had a flat because of road condition, only when I get bad cuts from debris, pinch-flats from low pressure or smacking a pothole hard, or from various things sticking into the tube.

Slime does pose some problems, but there are work-arounds.

In the case of a slice or a pinch, the slime needs to be squeezed away from the problem area and then wiped clean. At that point, it's just a regular tube.

As for valve clogs, the valve can be removed from the stem and cleaned.

Those who can't figure out slime tubes are typically the same guys who drop off their bikes at the LBS for 3 minutes worth of simple brake and derailleur adjustments. Or maybe the guy I saw at the LBS just yesterday who didn't have a chain whip and cassette lockring tool for a wheel swap. Basically, very non-handy folks who'd rather waste an hour than spend a couple bucks on some tools.

The only disadvantage of slime tubes is the weight. That's it.

Well that's an interesting diss of anyone who doesn't like slime tubes, but all I'm saying is that you don't have to do *any* extra work or whatever with a flat-resistant tire. If you're getting a lot of flats, the first thing to do - well actually, the first thing to do is make sure that the flats are being caused by something penetrating the tire (vs some flaw on the wheel that keeps poking a hole in your tube) (EDIT - and make sure whatever penetrated the tire isn't still stuck in the tire, and also make sure the tire is inflated enough). But the second thing to do is to buy a decent flat-resistant tire. If you live in such thorny, terrible country that that still doesn't work, then after you've done that slime might help.

Just over half a pound (.58) unless Perf. is seriously fudging spec.
Can't imagine a 1lb tube unless it's for my old red Huffy in 1970.

Riding my Worksman cruiser around, flats were not too uncommon. Since I got my Sojourn, I've put about 4500 miles on it with zero flats. So yes, tires do make a huge difference.