Slime sounds too good to be true

[Huzo]

There's quite a bit of information about this on the web, including some reasonably scientific explanations.  Here is one example:

https://engineering.stackexchange.com/questions/6015/how-do-tire-balancing-beads-work

Jeez, that's going to take a few reads and some cleaning out of "dusty" old corners of long forgotten education, but that's what I was looking for. Thanks Triple Jim.

[Tom]

Certainly Tom if needs be. But what I was looking for was an accurate description of how slime can be used to "balance" a tyre. Not everyone claims that it does but some do. Can't see yet what the apology is needed for, was it for the request for no half baked analogies ?

Full apology for a 1/2 baked analogy.  I thought that would be a fair exchange.

[sign216]

I had Slime in my tires. 

At a rest area my front tire had a fairly quick leak, possibly from the Schrader valve, on the way to the Massachusetts rally. 
I solved it with Treebond Seal'N'Air emergency tire sealant that was in my bags, and it allowed me to go to the rally, hangout for a few days, and return home with no problem. 

In the end I don't know if the Slime slowed the leak, and saved me from a dramatic rupture, or if it did nothing at all.
I carry the Treebond sealant, since I'm sure that worked.

[Nic in Western NYS]

There's quite a bit of information about this on the web, including some reasonably scientific explanations.  Here is one example:

https://engineering.stackexchange.com/questions/6015/how-do-tire-balancing-beads-work

Thanks for this link Triple Jim, it was worth reading carefully.

[Vagrant]

I had Slime in my tires. 

At a rest area my front tire had a fairly quick leak, possibly from the Schrader valve, on the way to the Massachusetts rally. 
I solved it with Treebond Seal'N'Air emergency tire sealant that was in my bags, and it allowed me to go to the rally, hangout for a few days, and return home with no problem. 

In the end I don't know if the Slime slowed the leak, and saved me from a dramatic rupture, or if it did nothing at all.
I carry the Treebond sealant, since I'm sure that worked.

their web site or one of the motor cycle stores warns it's corrosive to wheels especially chrome rims in as little as a week.

[JJ]

Back in 2012, we pulled this "SPIKE" from my friends Griso tire...and I had to go to the local NAPA Auto Parts store to by SLIME!.  We PLUGGED the tire, added SLIME, and it got him home, more than 100 miles!!  For a temporary fix...it WORKS...IMHO!! :1:






russian image share

[MotoBug]

Which size bottle would do for a V7? I have a 16fl oz bottle but if the smaller one is enough I'll grab that to save on space.

[Tom]

Are you going to add it now or carry it in your baggage?  I'd follow what's on the bottle.  I put a bottle in my Jackal's rear tire when it picked up a nail.  I was about 50 miles from home.  I totally forgot that I had it in the rear tire on my Jackal when I sold it.  The next owner never had a problem with the rear tire and he never changed the tire till he wore it out.  I use it all the bikes that have tube tires. 

[MotoBug]

Thanks Tom. I'm taking it with me. Slime recommend double amount for a road bike compared to a dirt bike. I'll stick with their recommendation for road bikes but I think in a pinch you could use less with the tyres on the V7.

[Tom]

Works well on punctures.  IIRC up to 1/4".  If you get a screw it'll slow a leak.  Had a 3" sheetmetal screw in the rear of my Cali 1100i.  Worked well enough that I could ride it home in short squirts.  Had to air it up every 100 yds.  Wife followed me home.  Fortunately I was only a couple of miles from home.  Had a Kiwi photog on the back for the Ironman Championships. 

[harjp_az]

Been using slime in dirt bike and mountain bike tires forever (well for years at least). Kinda hard to know if it works because if it's working you don't know it! But haven't had a dirt bike flat since I started slimming.

Had a 3" sheetmetal screw in the rear of my Cali 1100i.

Do you still have your Cali? Where in the Valley are you?

[slowmover]

So after talking with bicycle shop gurus I got persuaded that Slime wasn't best for inner city commuting as a lot of tire punctures are caused by glass and what you get is a gash and a green mess. They instead suggested tougher tires such as Gaterskins or Armadillo something or other that actually has a Kevlar ply.No one had my daughters fancy tire size so I went to my local Trek store and got Bontrager Ultimate Hardcase tires.We will see.Also because of the stupid Presta valves you can't dispense Slime without dismantling the valve and losing the stem in the innertube. That's another thing. How are Presta valves an improvement over Schraders that have been in use for millinea?

[Sheepdog]

How are Presta valves an improvement over Schraders that have been in use for millinea?

The smaller, Presta-sized hole works better with really narrow alloy rims (racers use tires as narrow as 19mm).  Also the Presta valve screws down, preventing air loss through the stem (important for tires that run over 100psi). My favorite hardy tires for lightweight road bicycles are the Panaracer Pasela TGs and the Schwalbe Marathon Plus. These are both belted tires that resist punctures or cuts. There is a weight penalty with belted tires, but this only affects acceleration...they still roll as well as unbelted tires if the air pressure is the same.

Oh, and the Schraeder valve has only been around since 1844...

[Triple Jim]

Also because of the stupid Presta valves you can't dispense Slime without dismantling the valve and losing the stem in the innertube.

My tubular tires (glue-on) normally have removable presta valves.  There are two wrench flats just under the locking nut so you can unscrew the valve.  It comes out very much like a schrader valve comes out.  I have no idea if inner tubes are made the same way, but I would have thought so.

[Tom]

Been using slime in dirt bike and mountain bike tires forever (well for years at least). Kinda hard to know if it works because if it's working you don't know it! But haven't had a dirt bike flat since I started slimming.
 Do you still have your Cali? Where in the Valley are you?

Still have it.  It's in Kona, HI.  Use to live in Mesa.  My SP1000NT is over by 16th McDowell.  Greg Bender is in Cave Creek.  He has a pretty good website.  Check it out.  Google This old tractor.

[Peter from Sch'dy]

pretty timely..last week picked up a puncture and called my tow service (brother Paul) who offered to stop and get slime on his way. followed directions except for the 8oz bottle size and it got us 20 miles down the road to Ozzies garage and a new tube. Now part of my tube tire road kit.

Best,
Peter

[redrider90]

NO Slime allowed on wheels with TPS sensors just found that out today. Got a small piece of glass in the corner of the tire. They plugged it and it leaks 0.5# every 24 hours. I called my tire guy and he said he would try a patch but it was in the corner and so he wasn't sure it would work. I said what about slime and he said not with the TPS units in there. It will ruin them.