After three quick punctures in succession, my mountain bike was hanging around the garage, looking pretty sorry for itself, my lodger lost all inspiration in putting another inner tube in. After a puncture rate of about 1 per 5 miles, he’d resorted to using the bus and running home. I had repaired the punctures so I didn’t think it was a pinch flat from poor repairing. I blamed the cheap thin tyres (the bike did only cost £89). Anyway, I wanted to see it fixed, so when I saw some Green slime inner tubes on sale, I thought I’d give it a go. It was double the price of an inner tube, but, if it does really work, it would be worth it – the main pain is not so much the cost, but the time taken to change it on this mountain bike.
The inner tube works, by automatically releasing a green slime to fix any piercing of tube by things like thorns, sharp glass e.t.c. I must admit I find it hard to picture how it actually works, but, it does! When you get a puncture, like a thorn, there is a hissing sound, but spin the wheel round a few times and it is fixed. The tube is obviously a bit heavier than a normal inner tube, I wouldn’t be wanting it in my road bikes (as far as I can see it’s not available anyway). But, when you have a cheap, heavy mountain bike, an extra 100grams in the inner tube is hardly going to be noticed. I also didn’t notice any difference in ride quality after fixing inner tube. – the mtb was still slow and heavy! making me grateful, fast road bikes have been invented.
Rather surprisingly on the packet it said it didn’t work for pinch flats – that’s a pain because a high % of punctures are pinch flats. Anyway, so far it is great. Also there is the peace of mind of not being stranded in the centre of town, and have to walk it back.
Recommended. As long as you know how to properly put in an inner tube – i.e without creating pinch flats (this took me about seven years of cycling to master) It is a good investment. At double the price of a standard tube, even one puncture would mean it more than pays for itself. Great for those who hate anything bike maintenance related. Unless you race around town, you probably won’t notice any difference in bike performance.
Hello. Ive currently got A BMX bike with a 20″ wheel and a 2.25″ thick tyre. I have noticed that there is no size available for this tyre. If i get some green slime 8oz bottle, will i just have to simply put half of the bottle in the front innertube and the other half in the rear innertube (This is just a standard kenda innertube) thanks.
Well, it does have a product for road-bike inner tube.
I’m intrigued. This might be helpful for a long-distance cycling event (brevet).