Sunshine and Slime

[Eaglerider]

Today I was fortunate enough to have a day off, and it was sunny.

Time for an E-Nip I thought. Down to the coast, along the seafront, Ice Cream at the fishmarket, all very pleasing.

At about 15 miles out, my rolled up jacket that was on the rack dropped a sleeve under the back wheel and ripped the arm half off. Very nearly had me off as well! 19 miles out and the front tyre is punctured with a metal tack thingy. The Slime filled inner tube singularly failed to contain what was a very small puncture. I was carrying a new slime filled tube and fitted it after pulling the nail out of the tyre casing.

A most pleasant cruise in the sea air ensued. Marvellous, then inland, onto the Marshes, the strong aroma of recent muck spreading activities pervades the air, and the sun is warm and bright.

Blast! another puncture, in the back wheel, just to add to the variety of the day. This time it was a thorn. The slime filled tube had made an awful mess in the tyre, which I rinsed out in a dyke, (and nearly fell in). I then set about patching the first tube after squeezing all the slime stuff out, and eventually managed to patch it up.

Putting the wheel back in of course requires you to cake your hands in grease as the chain seems to have a will of its own!!
I'm now happy to conclude that Slime filled inner tubes are complete rubbish, and don't seem to offer any advantages at all, other than making a mess of everything. I can also conclude that Kenda 'puncture resistant casings' are not really resistant at all. I feel some Shwalbes will be next on my list.

Apart from all that, had a cracking ride, 32 miles, and still all four lights on. Arrived home, trousers covered in Slime, Jacket torn and ruined! Quite an adventure really.

 

[DavieH]

Yes your right slime tubes don't work I had a puncture last week so I fitted a slime tube hoping that would be a end to punctures.
On my way to work just as I reached the gates I got a puncture on my newly fitted slime tube it was only a pin hole and it failed to seal it. so I will be returning it to Halfords and asking for my money back.
Davie

 

[Willin']

Oh dear that's bad crack isn't it. I got a rear wheel puncture on the Quayside at Newcastle and had the same bother as you with a chain that acquired a life of its own - getting me thoroughly filthy trying to unwind it. I now carry a pair of disposable latex gloves in my backpack.

I also bought some of that slime stuff for my rear wheel but having read your post it looks as if it's pretty useless. Looks like I'll be splashing out on some Schwalbe Marathons then.

 

[flecc]

.
I'm now happy to conclude that Slime filled inner tubes are complete rubbish, and don't seem to offer any advantages at all, other than making a mess of everything.

My experience too after trying four different versions over time. I really think think these products should not even be on the market, considering their very low success rate in tubed tyres.

 

[funkylyn]

Today I was fortunate enough to have a day off, and it was sunny.

Time for an E-Nip I thought. Down to the coast, along the seafront, Ice Cream at the fishmarket, all very pleasing.

At about 15 miles out, my rolled up jacket that was on the rack dropped a sleeve under the back wheel and ripped the arm half off. Very nearly had me off as well! 19 miles out and the front tyre is punctured with a metal tack thingy. The Slime filled inner tube singularly failed to contain what was a very small puncture. I was carrying a new slime filled tube and fitted it after pulling the nail out of the tyre casing.

A most pleasant cruise in the sea air ensued. Marvellous, then inland, onto the Marshes, the strong aroma of recent muck spreading activities pervades the air, and the sun is warm and bright.

Blast! another puncture, in the back wheel, just to add to the variety of the day. This time it was a thorn. The slime filled tube had made an awful mess in the tyre, which I rinsed out in a dyke, (and nearly fell in). I then set about patching the first tube after squeezing all the slime stuff out, and eventually managed to patch it up.

Putting the wheel back in of course requires you to cake your hands in grease as the chain seems to have a will of its own!!
I'm now happy to conclude that Slime filled inner tubes are complete rubbish, and don't seem to offer any advantages at all, other than making a mess of everything. I can also conclude that Kenda 'puncture resistant casings' are not really resistant at all. I feel some Shwalbes will be next on my list.

Apart from all that, had a cracking ride, 32 miles, and still all four lights on. Arrived home, trousers covered in Slime, Jacket torn and ruined! Quite an adventure really.

And to think...some people think cycling is boring lol

I hope the next time you do that ride (which sounds lovely ) you have your Shwalbes fitted, no more punctures and manage to keep your clothes in one piece........or would that be boring

Lynda

 

[Eaglerider]

E-Biking is never boring, I love every minute.

Of note was that, whilst fixing the first puncture at the side of a busy cycle track, I would guess 60+ bikes went past without even a glance. Now if I had been in the same predicament on a motorcycle, another biker would have stopped to assist, usually within a few minutes or so.

I guess cyclists do not appear to share the cameraderie that exists amongst motorcyclists.

 

[smudger1956]

E-Biking is never boring, I love every minute.

Of note was that, whilst fixing the first puncture at the side of a busy cycle track, I would guess 60+ bikes went past without even a glance. Now if I had been in the same predicament on a motorcycle, another biker would have stopped to assist, usually within a few minutes or so.

I guess cyclists do not appear to share the cameraderie that exists amongst motorcyclists.

I agree, I have been helped out a few times by my fellow motorcyclists in the past, and helped a few out myself.

 

[funkylyn]

Yep.....that happened to me too, last year on a local cycle path......lycra clad or not...they all just cycled past without offering any help whatsoever......and as a woman on her own in the rapidly approaching dusk......I wasnt impressed..........and of course, you are right.....cycling is never boring......just a bit 'trying' at times......especially when pushing your bike 6 miles home.....

Lynda

 

[flecc]

I've helped other cyclist on several occasions, and twice when stopped with nothing wrong have had cyclists ask if all is well, both times lycras. So they aren't all bad.

 

[piotrmacheta]

I have to agree that cyclists seem to be less friendly than motorbikers. Many cyclists don't even nod a hello let alone stop to see if you need help with the puncture. Motorbikers always seem to and I was helped out when I ran out of petrol. I always say hi and stop if a cyclist or motorbiker looks like they have a problem. If we all do it then others will think it's normal and do it as well. As for the slime in the tyres then I'm dissapointed to hear it doesn't work. I use Marathon plus tyres and slime and hoped that this protection squared would frighten all those thorns and nails away. I must have been lucky so far as it seems to work.

 

[Mussels]

I've found that cyclists are more helpful than motorcyclists round London, though if I break down on either there's roughly a 50/50 chance someone will offer help. Thankfully almost nobody is interested in pleasantries as I pass dozens of two wheelers every day.

As for Kenda and puncture resistance, they on a par with Marathons, if you want the extra protection get the Marathon plus.

 

[flecc]

As for the slime in the tyres then I'm dissapointed to hear it doesn't work.

The reason it doesn't work for many is the two part tube/tyre interface and lack of tyre thickness for the slime to seal into. The latter doesn't apply to Marathon Plus tyres and Slime probably stands a very good chance of working in the thick upper layer of those tyres.

 

[HD462]

I've got to disagree there, maybe it's a north-east thing as we're known for our friendliness, but we've done 32 miles today, mostly on cycle route (disused railway line), and everyone had a nod, or good morning as you passed. There were probably more bikes than walkers this time, as it's part of the National Cycle Network (route 1) now.

Even riding along our seafront the serious cyclists (lycras) all acknowledge you, even more so when you have a helmet on. If I'd come across anyone stuck with a breakdown, puncture or whatever, I'd have stopped to ask if they needed help. I think most groups of people with similar interests do the same, motorcyclists when I did that, car owners of the same marque when they're less common types etc.

Mark.

 

[Mussels]

I've got to disagree there, maybe it's a north-east thing as we're known for our friendliness, but we've done 32 miles today, mostly on cycle route (disused railway line), and everyone had a nod, or good morning as you passed. There were probably more bikes than walkers this time, as it's part of the National Cycle Network (route 1) now.

Even riding along our seafront the serious cyclists (lycras) all acknowledge you, even more so when you have a helmet on. If I'd come across anyone stuck with a breakdown, puncture or whatever, I'd have stopped to ask if they needed help. I think most groups of people with similar interests do the same, motorcyclists when I did that, car owners of the same marque when they're less common types etc.

Mark.

I think the 'when they are less common' point is key, when there are loads of them around the novelty soon gets annoying. The strangest one for me was people with the same make of car, I was left wondering if those people were waving in sympathy as they knew exactly how unreliable and expensive to run my car was.
If I have the time I'll still offer to help anyone on two wheels but I'm not interested in giving myself rsi by acknowledging them all.

 

[funkylyn]

I have to say that I have found cyclists in the north east to be the friendliest ....but then I would say that being a geordie

As for rsi, mussels.....you want to try driving a motorhome about....especially on frances route nationals......its exhausting, almost sends you onto the motorway just to rest your hand LOL
( but its still kinda nice and friendly )
Lynda

 

[aseb]

I've tried the sealant stuff- the Doctor Sludge stuff that you put into front and back tyres worked well- no puncture in over 3000 miles. The prefilled slime tube I tried wasn't very good though. I've seen in other places that the add-in stuff works better, and it seems to be the case from my experience too.
There are many makes of the tyre sealant, I've heard of 5 or 6. I'm about to try a different make this time- a google search for OKO Puncture Sealant brings up plenty of uses from bikes to trucks so I think I spotted what could be a bargain (far less than the suppliers I saw on google) on ebay- should be enough for 5 tyres so at 50p each (including delivery) it's got to be worth a try.

 

[aseb]

WARNING- If you buy that OKO sealant off ebay check it when it arrives. It is declared as 250ml but the one I received only contains about 160 ml- essentially an illegal fill. I've told the supplier and awaiting their response.

 

[aseb]

UPDATE- I received a second bottle of the sealant so now have the 250ml. It appears that 2 people have bought since this started but the supplier (after saying all of the bottles were the same) hasn't updated the quantity to show the bottles have been corrected.

If you've bought then check your bottle was full, not just over half full- that is an illegally low fill according to the weights and measures act.
I had to get ebay involved but it appears that they are happy to let them continue to sell illegal product, there have been no changes to the listing or reductions in the quantity available to show he has filled bottles up to the declared level.

 

[Willin']

UPDATE- I received a second bottle of the sealant so now have the 250ml. It appears that 2 people have bought since this started but the supplier (after saying all of the bottles were the same) hasn't updated the quantity to show the bottles have been corrected.

If you've bought then check your bottle was full, not just over half full- that is an illegally low fill according to the weights and measures act.
I had to get ebay involved but it appears that they are happy to let them continue to sell illegal product, there have been no changes to the listing or reductions in the quantity available to show he has filled bottles up to the declared level.

I must be one of the subsequent purchasers and my bottle wasn't full either. No problem with the delivery but I have emailed the seller about the less than full bottle and am awaiting a response.

 

[Cyclic]

I have been cycling around under a false sense of security as I too have tyre sealant in my tyres and thought that I would be very unlucky to get a puncture.

Anyway I have just bought a CO2 tyre pump as it seems to take an age to pump up a tyre with one of those small portable pumps, especially when you are knackered out on a long run.

What are your thoughts about CO2 tyre pumps?

Regards John