To SLIME or not to SLIME

cycling_simon

I am planning to be cycling 125miles to support my dad who will be kayaking in a race. It is over 24hours or so. I use slime in my tires atm but it is quite heavy.

What do you guys think of slime?

should i upgrade to the slime tape? is it much better?

Should i just get rid of slime?

I have spoken to a few people about this and views are very mixed!

Thanks

Simon

dave_hill

I find that it does work but it's not as instantaneous as they claim - you really have to persevere with pumping the tyre up until it decides to seal.

As you have mentioned, either method increases the weight of your wheel - as it is rotating weight this is not good as it increases inertia. Whatever you do to puncture proof your tyres increases weight.

Personally, I'd carry two spare tubes and some self-adhesive patches. Practice changing tubes at home until you can do it quickly and easily - I can do it in about two minutes from wheel out to wheel in.

cycling_simon

yeah i may just do that.

Im fairly good at doing patches too.

dav1

my slime tube on the rear lasted a year and a crapload of thorns before it gave up and blew out. I like slime tubes personally and plan to stick with them for some time yet despite the weight penalty.

TonyS

Group ride I'd always use slime tubes but otherwise I don't like the added weight.

The slime is only a temporary fix - if you don't check the tubes after a ride, and patch any holes, you run the risk whatever caused the problem in the first place adding more damage in the same area or of the sealing plug getting blown out and the resealing process starting all over again.

Perhaps consider tubeless as an alternative but you need to carry two tubes and patches which rather negates the supposed benefit.