carlfogel@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
wrote:
> On Tue, 01 May 2007 22:56:24 -0700, Pista <tcoleman@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
> wrote:
>
>
>>We still use traditional tubes, because a single Slime tube will weigh
>>more than a pair of tires AND standard tubes combined.
>>
>>Just use Tufo tubulars - most reliable tire ever and the reason I still
>>ride on tubulars on all of my bikes, including my mountain bike.
>>
>>If you don't use standard tubular rimes, you can also get almost all of
>>their tires in a clincher version. The tire does not contain a tube at
>>all, and uses a sealant (absolutely nothing like the slime compound) to
>>fill punctures. I am on the bike 20 hours a week and have been using
>>Tufo tires for over 15 years. In all that time, I have never, ever had
>>a flat tire - except for almost every race where I am not allowed to use
>>Tufo's.
>>
>>Any shop can order them from the distributor in Canada, or from Airo
>>International in California.
>>
>>Prisoner at War wrote:
>>
>>>The claim is that it "instantly seals punctures up to 1/8" as you
>>>ride" and "works repeatedly, lasts up to 2 years"...how's this
>>>possible -- and how's it that we're still using regular tubes, then???
>>>
>>>Also, has anyone any experience with gluelss patch kits? How are
>>>they, how do they work?
>>>
>>>
>>>TIA!
>
>
> Dear P & P,
>
> A road Slime tube weighs 180 grams--see the specs tab. Two of them
> weigh 360 grams:
>
>
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=4633&subcategory_ID=5411
>
> A road tube of similar thickness weighs 117 grams--again, see the
> specs tab. Two of them weigh 234 grams:
>
>
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=2294&subcategory_ID=5411
>
> You can get lighter Slime tubes and light ordinary tubes, but this is
> enough to make the point--a pair of Slime tubes adds a total of about
> 126 grams to a 700c bicycle and rider.
>
> A 158-lb rider and an 18-lb bicycle weigh 80,000 grams. Replacing the
> ordinary tubes with Slime tubes adds 126 grams.
>
> 126 / 80,000 = 0.1575%
>
> It is doubtful that any rider can detect a 0.1575% total weight
> difference while actually riding.
>
> Slime tubes are not popular for several reasons:
>
> 1) Exaggerated fears of weight penalties--see above.
>
> 2) Fuss and trouble with the tire valve and air pressure gauges. The
> green Slime and wispy white fibers can clog things.
>
> 3) Exaggerated expectations concerning sealants. Slime works best at
> sealing pinhole punctures from goathead thorns, not at sealing larger
> punctures and punctures higher up the sidewall.
>
> 4) Most of all, few riders suffer enough flats to see much benefit.
>
> I use Slime tubes because goathead punctures are about as common where
> I live in Pueblo, Colorado, as rain is in Seattle. I don't carry a
> rain jacket on my daily ride, so I can understand why few Seattle
> riders bother with Slime tubes.
>
> So far this year, I've had only 8 flats in 87 fifteen-mile rides, all
> from goatheads. About half the time, I find the flat tire the next day
> and can fix it in the comfort of my garage because the Slime let it
> hold pressure.
>
> Slime tubes probably aren't worth the trouble for glass, nails, rock
> chips, and big thorns.
>
> But I find Slime tubes darned useful for goathead pinholes.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Carl Fogel
I like Slime Ultralite tubes. They don't have the white, whispy fibers.
They are a little heavier than regular light tubes but have a nice high
collar around the stem. Stem/tube separation has never been a problem as
it has with so many other Presta tubes I have use. I don't, however,
like the Slime itself, so I remove the valve core and squeeze out as
much of the Slime as I can, and just take my chances with goatheads. The
Slime is quite toxic to grass, BTW.
Ken
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