Slime  Self-Sealing Smart Presta Tube - 29 x 1.85 - 2.20

Gets me home

While the slime tubes don't guarantee that I'll never get a flat they have consistently gotten me home with air in my tires... If a tire is flat the next day it's no big deal as the bike has been cleaned and I have a repair stand and floor pump. On the other hand, repairing a flat while out in the woods or on muddy trails is no fun at all... especially in the dark. Many years ago I worked in a LBS and I typically repair 1-3 flats per week for myself and family... as such I have repaired 1,000s of flats and I still prefer to make it home with air in my tire to repairing a flat on the road or in the woods. For this reason I recommend the Slime tubes.

Works well if....

I read a couple posts about the clogging problem with Presta valve slimed tubes before purchase. The solution is to always make sure you air up with the presta valve in the 12 o'clock High position. It is prone to slime clogging the valve otherwise (slime is intended to plug small holes, the presta valve hole is small). I have so far always remembered and they have been a good fix for the the constant flats I was getting with the Schwalbe Racing Ralph light weight 29er tires I have. A tuffer tire might not have needed slime for my summer riding so this was a fix for a tire that I liked except for its lack of protection from thorn flats, I have some really heavy thick tread Nokian steel studded tires for winter riding that never get flats, no slime in those guys.

Good compromise for everyday singletrack

I’ve ridden many thousands of singletrack miles with tubes and the difference between Slimed and plain tubes is considerable. On the downside, Slimed tubes are quite heavy — maybe double a typical lightweight tube. Thus the one-star deduction. On the plus side, they are highly effective against certain types of punctures (eg, goatheads). I’ve gone from as many as six flats in a day to none in six years by switching to Slime. And the protection seems to last well beyond the two-year suggested life. For maximum wonderfulness, at a price, tubeless wheels are likely the way to go. But by for non-race, reliable goofing around by normal riders, Slime saves a lot of work and inconvenience.

less flat problems

Like the last post says if you fill it properly you won't have a problem. Being in Arizona I get lots of thorn holes and it fixes it every time, I think if I had a tougher tire I won't have so many problems, but the slime works good. I even was able to refill the tube with more slime when I use it up instead of replacing the tube.

Once I really tired of constant flat tires. I’m over 220 pounds and some of my rides are 60 miles long. About year and half ago I decided to give it a try. And I never had to call my wife to pick me up since I got these tubes. After 1500 miles and 15 months Each tube has over a dozen holes now, but still holds air just fine. Once I pulled big staple out of my tire during wet 33F winter ride. I was good to go in 10 minutes. Just added some air and that’s it. I use this tube with 2.0 slick tires as well as 2.5 Minion tires with no problems. A lot of people tried to convince me this thing doesn’t work but it clearly does, even during cold weather which is really critical at times

Presta + Slime = clogged valve

When you fill a presta tube with air, you normally have to pop the valve head after you un-screw it. When there is slime in the tube, some of the slime comes out and clogs the valve. After 2-3 fills, the valve is all clogged up and filling becomes a big problem. Schrader valves are fine, but forget slime with with Presta valves.

Disappointed

Put the tube in a brand new tire and rim. Pumped it up, then had to leave and travel for work. Finally had a day to go ride my bike and the tire was completely flat. Already threw away the boxes. There is a small pin size hold on the rim side of the tube near the valve. Checked the rim and nothing there to puncture it. Tried slime patches, what a joke they are. Doubt I can return this tube because of REI policy so I’m stuck with useless product. And yes, it won’t self seal.

Almost bombproof!

These tubes pretty much are bomb proof and survive the perils, rocks and cactus of Sedona and Flagstaff, AZ

cactus?

I ride a lot of 2 track and animal paths, Wyoming single track, in the desert around the house. I lost the trail yesterday so had to bushwack through small sagebrush and masses of small, 1-2 inch, prickly pear cactus. When to go out today and the rear tire is flat. The slime tube was a great help ... I could easily find the holes in the tube. They were where the green ooz was coming out. It provided no protection at all.

Maybe stay with less than 2.2"

Not a good start. Overnight the tube split for 12" along the seam leaving the tire full of green gooey goodness to clean up.