New tubs info please

one sick puppy
one sick puppy Posts: 4
edited August 2007 in Workshop
Hello, I've just bought a pair of tubs for next year as I've read previously it's better to let your tubs 'mature' before fitting them. Is this still true? And since I've bought them anyway, how should I store them? In the packet? opened? Slightly inflated? Will they be ok in my loft or should they go somewhere cooler like a cellar? Or have I just bought into some really out of date info. and should have just bought them a couple of days before I intend to fit them? Cheers!

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  • andrewgturnbull
    andrewgturnbull Posts: 3,861
    one sick puppy wrote:
    Hello, I've just bought a pair of tubs for next year as I've read previously it's better to let your tubs 'mature' before fitting them. Is this still true? And since I've bought them anyway, how should I store them? In the packet? opened? Slightly inflated? Will they be ok in my loft or should they go somewhere cooler like a cellar? Or have I just bought into some really out of date info. and should have just bought them a couple of days before I intend to fit them? Cheers!

    Hi there.

    Some people still age their tubs, but I think since rubber manufacturing quality has improved it's just superstition. I've never done anything except stretched them once by fitting and inflating them dry before taking them off again before applying the glue (or tub tape).

    However if you do want to be traditional about it, then you need:

    - A dark cellar
    - A selection of imperial weights
    - A bearded Belgian

    Cheers, Andy
    http://www.andyturnbull.co.uk
    http://www.stirlingtri.co.uk
  • pete.whelan
    pete.whelan Posts: 788
    I keep my spare tubs on mounted (without glue) on old rims and with a bit of air in them to keep some shape
    Recipe: shave legs sparingly, rub in embrocation and drizzle with freshly squeezed baby oil.
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    There is a trueism in this in that with traditional vulcanised rubbers, the longer you left them after moulding, then the re-establishment of polymer linkages made for a stronger material. On the downside, the materials do degrade and 'age' so leaving them too long is self-defeating. Exposure to ozone also weakens the molecular bonds - so don't take your tyres to the seaside. These days, with the increasing use of synthetic polymers, this is less relevant.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..

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