How to Prevent Bicycle Flats with Slime and Tire Liners

electricbikereview.com/guides/... This interview was conducted with a representative from Slime at Interbike 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. We talk about the pre-slimed tubes, traditional slime solution and tire liners for electric bikes. EBR was paid to perform this review #Sponsored We try to be honest, thorough, and fun! Comparison tools, shop directory, and forums at: ElectricBikeReview.com

[@omardude39]

I've hit many potholes on my small, 20" wheel foldable electric bike - I hate Chiltern District Council in Buckinghamshire, UK - they really need to sort out their roads, because they're a mess of holes and patchwork. I got a flat today, but there was no obvious cause - no glass, no thorns and no obvious pinches. I asked mum to bring me some slime, and I put it in. The first time inflating, it lost air in seconds. I spun the wheel for a while and tried again. THIS STUFF WORKS. I rode all the way home on a totally rigid tyre, even though I have no clue what caused my puncture. This product is a lifesaver.

[@wallywalnuts12345]

I love Slime, some people are complaining, make sure you put the right amount, shake the bottle before had and like the dude said, don't inflate with the valve at the 6 o'clock position

[@specops1214]

The slime liners are useful. So if a piece of glass gets into your tube, With slime the liners make the hole small enough so slime can patch it. It pretty much acts as a barrier so not to make a big enough hole slime can't patch

[@gsmadmax100]

i've been using Slime sins the 80's. i love it and never ride without it. it has its limits but it will seal small to medium leeks very well. best cathed defense ever ! in the bush one can get Nasty Big patches of Cathead and although tires will go soft or flat just pump em back up & you're good to go. tip, run with puncture proof tubes or liners. will seal hundreds of small leeks, saved me SO much cash !

[@phatmeow7764]

New Slime tube convert here! Had about 4 punctures in the last 18 mths with Slime tubes - pumped them up with just a hand pump, rolled them and viola off i go! Amazed i have yet to swap them slime tubes for 18 mths now! I heard they can last up to 2 years possibly more? In fact i think i shall add a liner along with the slime tubes next round for even better results haha

[@Sal112350]

I have that slime thick inner tube for a long time now about 10 years and no puncture yet on my bike. Lately though I see the slime green coming out of the valve, but it still works.

[@IchimokuCloud]

Wow. 5 years later and still helpful. So weird to see without helmet!!

[@nancyquinonez]

8*

[@mjcuknet]

9 years later and still helpful.

[@ElectricBikeReview]

Thanks for the input! I hadn't thought to use larger tubes but that makes sense. Have you ever used Slime with Presta style tubes or mostly Schrader?

[@anonymouseveryday9629]

Very good product work perfectly

[@MikeBozart]

9,400 miles (and counting) on sharp-debris-filled city streets without a flat.

[@ElectricBikeReview]

Wow! That's pretty impressive... I take it you've been using Slime? Did you get the pre-slimed tires or do you run with the liners? Any tips?

[@MikeBozart]

I 'slimed' an old inner tube.

[@ElectricBikeReview]

Mike Bozart Nice! Well, considering it was an old tube to start with, sounds like you've gotten a lot of miles out of it. Do you store the bike inside? I think rubber can get brittle over time regardless of punctures. Do you keep it pumped up to avoid pinch flats? Also, what climate are you in, maybe that helps to support the rubber long term.

[@MikeBozart]

yes, i store this single-speed bike inside. yes, i try to keep it at a minimum of 55 psi. i am in charlotte, hot, humid summers. nice spring and fall. winter is generally mild, but can dip to single digits several days a year. average january day is hi:51, lo: 30.

[@ElectricBikeReview]

Mike Bozart Cool, thanks Mike!

[@reamannmacbiatiagh2057]

I grew up in Belfast during the troubles,,, nails and glass were everywhere from bombes and the likes. As a teenager I put a set of standard plastic tyre liners in and I think I have had two punctures in the last thirty years,, and the bike is my main daily transport arounnd the city. Set of cheep plastic tyre liners that's all you need !

[@sychophantt]

I put slime in my tires and got more flats than ever. However I keep a small bottle and a small pump on me at all times. When I get a flat its like 3-5 of down time before I'm back up riding.

[@ravinjohnson4075]

I put slime in my tires and got a thorn puncture. The slime came spraying out of the tire continuously. Slime don't like me😟😟

[@quack5003]

Ravin Johnson if it's pretty big it can't cover I once got a dud inner tune and was kind of a store damage and it wouldn't cover it I got a picture when I got a new one I got a thorn stuck and I heard air coming out I spinned it haven't heard it works pretty good

[@mcires59]

can we use the slime as a preventive on motorcycles? how many kilometers can we do if we place it before leaving on a trip? thanks for your support

[@DesignerAviaries]

Should these slime products (green, orange, stans, etc) be refreshed or replenished every year? How do know if it is still capable of sealing a flat after two or three seasons. What is the difference in composition between slime products made for Tubeless tires and tires with inner tubes.

[@johnballs]

Hello. I just got a new fat tire bicycle, how much SLIME I have to put on each tire? its not tubeless, it has inner tube and its a 26x4. Thanks for your help! :)

[@albertgutierrez7036]

does slime work on pinch flats I was riding my e scooter the other day and now today I have a flat I can tell its a pinch flat because the main air leaks out slowly and doesn't really go flat it remains at 15 PSI.

[@Curiosityuk]

Is that mc plugged in? It sounds like you’re using the camera mic.

[@williamgriffin7682]

Does Slime make 700c think tube?

[@gregoryburkhead7813]

Do u have inner tube 20x4

[@mcires59]

How much pressure can we place into a tire? because it is not the same to place 20 psi than 40 psi

[@bobbyl7571]

I have a tire that has a 26 x 2.35 tube. I see no Slime product in 26 inch that has 2.35 width. Is the largest 26 tube that goes up to 2.125 OK for 2.35? Too much tube inflation for that 2.35 size?

[@TomiAdewoleAdetom]

Got to pick some of this stuff up. Looking forward to seeing how it well it works - is it possible that I've finally found the solution to my every 6-months-bike-wheel-flat problems?

[@ElectricBikeReview]

Maybe! Slime has been around for a long time and seems to help but can be a bit messy. I like that it's not too expensive and they have pre-slimed tires so you know it was applied properly. If you want to completely eliminate flats then check out the Energy Return Wheel: www.energyreturnwheel.com/ and here's a thread about Slime and other ways to keep tires from going flat: electricbikereview.com/community/threads/slime-thorn-resistant-tires-and-airless-bicycle-tubes.49/

[@TomiAdewoleAdetom]

Electric Bike Review Excellent resources. I started out as a casual rider but learned I couldn't function without my bikes lol. I'm looking to buy all necessary support stuff to keep flats away (mostly away, at least). Thanks.

[@ElectricBikeReview]

Tomi Adewole Awesome, glad the links helped. One of the best ways to avoid flats is to get decent tires (some have kevlar lining built right in) and then some thick high quality tubes. While the ERW looks cool, it's just so expensive right now. I run pre-Slimed tires and they seem to work well. Cheers :)

[@shorty1stump1]

I have a electric fat tire 26 4.0 do you have that size.

[@hArDsTyLe2259]

I just picked a slime tube up today after having two small punctures and going through two normal tubes in less than a year so i cant wait to test this out :)

[@Majik260]

How has it been working for you? Have you still got a flat since you got it?

[@klumze9911]

Got my first flat this week with a super thick slime tube. A 1 inch nail was in the tire about 5mm in diameter. Just a little too much for the slime to seal it. Also had those tubes for almost 6 years. Wonder what the shelf life is on slime.

[@jeremystewert4303]

is this stuff all nasty when you do have to take your tube off? what about airing the tire up?

[@omardude39]

The slime stays inside the tube. When it fills a puncture it coagulates (a bit like blood forming a scab on your skin), so there's no mess when changing tubes. The tyre inflates as usual - no difference.

[@specops1214]

The slime extrea thick are useless on 4.0 tires and 2.5 tires as they already so thick it stretches to the point where the valve fails itself fails.

[@TeamOT]

How bout weight though. I get that electric bikes are heavy, but every oz counts right?

[@wilhelmina99]

After adding a 3kg chain lock, heavy duty panniers, bells, lights, front racks, tool bags, coffe cup holder, water bottle and cage - I don't really think a couple of extra grams for extra thick, pre-slimed tires are going to push me over the edge on weight.

[@carlodamian3004]

Ehh I put in my bike and work after that my tube broken in my valve not working properly for me

[@dannybryan6505]

my tires slowly slowly leak over time. even if the bike is just sitting. not sure if there is a hole or what ...will this product keep this from happening

[@ElectricBikeReview]

Danny Bryan Hi Danny! I know exactly what you mean, my bikes do that as well (especially as temperature changes and I leave them in the garage). They inflate when it is warm then deflate in the cold and it is dry sometimes and the rubber just wears out and slowly leaks. I almost always check my tire pressure for my road bike (even with new tubes) because they seem to loose air slowly and pinch flats are so easy with narrow tires like that. In any case, Slime might help a bit but you could still end up needing to "top them off" with more air every once in a while. Slime seems best when you're out and actually get a puncture then have to use a mini-pump to keep it inflated to get home. If you didn't have Slime in a situation like that, your tire might not hold the extra air in time to get home or the hole might just get bigger as you rode.

[@gigimezzio2896]

This was my thinking, too. Love ElectricBikeReview.com. Watch it all of the time. Very helpful. I own a Rad Rover and I have had seven punctures since I've driven it for 1,400 miles in four months. (350 milers a month). I've been using Rema TT patches and they've been working but all of my flats have occurred within the last 700 miles. Tired of patching. I bought some Slime and a small air pump (the floor one is too big to carry on bike trips.) And a metal valve tube. BOTH tires are currently flat right now after a 20 mile trip, A guy in an Expedition picked me and my Rad Rover up. Hopefully Slime in both tires and a portable pump will solve my flat problems. So frustrated!

[@AlexisGonzalez-ov6hh]

I have slim on my tires they still become flat 😑

[@Gab-ji6to]

Do size 20 for bike please broO

[@johndenver5029]

Need a 4in version

[@liamevans1508]

I’ve got 250 miles on my bike with slime, haven’t had a flat yet!

[@rayzhistorychannel]

Tire liners are worthless. The trick is to use a slightly oversized tube, one that wont have to stretch to fit the inside of the tire. Remove the valve and squeeze the whole 8 ounces into the tube then clean the stem with a q-tip, put the valve back in, put the tube in the tire and the tire on the rim and you should never have another flat. The usual staples, tacks, nails and thorns will pull out with the tire sealing quickly. At least that's how it's worked for me.

[@TheIkaika777]

I rode over 4000 miles without one single flat tire. I use Rhinodillo tire liners.

[@zoltanmanyoki9680]

Sorry, it didn't work for me....

[@rayzhistorychannel]

ONLY Schraders. Prestas make me throw temper tantrums.

[@thajudge7560]

Mine popped on 80 psi when my tyre goes up to 110 ps1

[@omardude39]

I think you're a little insane running any bicycle tyre on 80psi. At 110psi I would have paid to see the reaction video. That's just straight-up foolish.

[@RealHankShill]

I think you might be mixing up kpa and psi. No bike takes 80 PSI let alone 110 psi. BUT 110 kpa is about 16 psi. So take note of which unit of measurement you are using and dont mix the two.

[@TheIkaika777]

What are you talking about? I have two sets of tires, one Panaracer and one Schwalbe Marathon Plus. The Panaracer takes 100 psi and the Schwalbe takes 95 psi.

[@Johnny-jk7ip]

BMX tires take up to 110 psi mine take 60 but my friend takes 110

[@kimi651]

Folks, FYI, assuming equal wall thickness...smaller diameter tires with higher air pressure and larger diameter tires with lower air pressure have the same internal stresses in the rubber. The difference is exponential...range for a mountain tire is 40-60psi, while road bike 90-110psi. Hope this helps.

[@stephenboothby7446]

So if a pre slimed tyre goes flat they'll send you a new one????? That's the least they should do. P.s Slime is made from the same stuff snake oil is made from.

[@ScooterDan]

bs slime dont work it pissing all over the place and dont block the hole...lol

[@brianbond1124]

Black tire on the right. Got it! Green tire on the left. Got it! The point of this video? Not a damn clue what the point was.

[@jhi-gill]

MINE IS FLAT!

[@ElectricBikeReview]

+Jacob Summersgill Bummer! Even with the Slime? Maybe try a kevlar lined tire, companies like Schwalbe offer them: amzn.to/1K2VoNb

[@jhi-gill]

+ElectricBikeReview.com thanks that tire really helped thanks so much man

[@thismagnificentthing1916]

The 'Slime' plastic ones CAUSE punctures because of the sharp ends where they overlap. Despite sanding them down they still cut into the inner tube in time. Utter crap.

[@gigimezzio2896]

thanks. I order Slime and it'll be here tomorrow. BOTH front and BACK tires are currently FLAT! Tired of patching over and over again (five times within the last 700 miles!)

[@ashtonlucas9642]

I just got those kind of tubes bc someone stabbed mine

[@jakestevens3788]

Bastards!!!

[@romegreen9170]

Slime failed me twice. Didn't work at all

[@scottshorrorcollectables4123]

Anyone actually stupid enough thinking of buying these don't bother they don't work

[@madeinuk68]

Scott Hughes The slime most definitely works. I have never had a flat since i started using it,two years and almost 20 thousand miles,For even better protection get Kevlar lined tyres. I am pretty sure that I have not just been really lucky.

[@lifeyang2]

Yesterday, and especially during this hot and dry time of the year, hard dry thorns from weed plants seem to be everywhere. I rode over a sudden bad stretch of road, and got about 20 thorns. As I pulled them off my bike tires, I noticed that SLIME works!

[@kimi651]

I guess I will try it...so that makes me stupid enough...the smart ones like you use what...new inner tubes?

[@jocktigernuts680]

Trying to repair a tube puncture WITH THIS 💩 inside is a waste of time. Invest in a puncture RESISTANT tyre, carry a spare tube and a conventional repair kit, I speak from the experience of wasting good money!!

[@BugnOutLLC]

I filled my motorcycle full coverage helmet with Slime..... The great news is that I am saving a bundle on haircuts. But, I am now feeling a strong urge to vote Democrat.

[@borisnonceson]

Slime are shit and terrible dont buy have had 3 or 4 ppunctures

[@ElectricBikeReview]

Thanks for the feedback, I've heard mixed reviews on the product and used it several times myself but it's hard to say how effective it is vs. the mess, added weight and cost. I prefer the pre-slimed tubes personally if I'm going to use the product.

[@borisnonceson]

Electric Bike Review Yes and i had one explode on me and my clothes were ruined.

[@ElectricBikeReview]

***** Wow... That's awesome, but in a bad way. Hope you didn't crash and get hurt or anything?

[@borisnonceson]

no i was fine but my tire wasnt

[@nonenone4979]

This product sucks ass it does not work!!! buy at your own risk!!!