self sealing tubes? yay or nay?

[cruisehard]

I got a flat the other day, went to K-mart(cause it's close) and picked up a Bell self sealing tube...after I installed it I did a little research and found out the slime they put in there can clog up the valve. So all these "self sealing" tubes are just gimmicks? I'm about to replace it with a normal one...don't like the idea of not being able to inflate/deflate my tire. Who the crap wants a clogged valve? I also noticed the wheel "feels" a bit different due to the extra weight. Which brands of inner tubes are good? I really hate changing tubes so I need something decent.

 

[icyuod2]

even worse,is when the goop desides to settle and harden on the bottom of your tire. the result is similar to an unbalanced tire in a car.

 

[Bigcam59]

As a bike mechanic I hate them. When they don't work they spit green rubber snot all over everything, or coat the inside of the tire with a nasty sticky mess. You have to get a hole in just the right spot for them to work, and many times they clog up the air valve when you try to deflate the tube to change the tire. Then you have to remove the valve core in an explosion of rubber goo.
A better flat preventer is a "Mr. Tuffy", a thick plastic barrier you put inside between the tire and the tube that (usually) prevents thorns, glass etc from working its way into the tube.

 

[cruisehard]

I'm getting that tube outta my bike today! Good thing I kept the receipt...

 

[user 135]

I don' t really like the stuff either. For all points listed, plus rotational weight can slow you down in city riding(stop and go).

BUT if you live in an area with Tribulus terrestris it can be very useful. Goathead when dry can ruin the day. One of my favorite post on the matter (a little religion) Man's Ruin

 

[bigj]

Slime can be useful. The best thing to do is buy a bottle yourself and put it in the tube. I usually put roughly about half of what comes in a pre-Slime'd tube. If you want ultimate flat protection, do the following:
Buy a tire with tread protection built in(i.e. Specialized Flakguard, etc.)
Get a Mr. Tuffy or Slime tire liner
Get a "thorn proof" tube
Put my suggested amount of Slime in said tube

Combine all of the above, using liberal amounts of talcum powder between tire, liner, tube, and rim strip

I guarantee 99 44/100th's % you'll never have a flat.

Downside: Weight

Personally I don't care, I'm not riding in the Tour of California. Rotating weight may slow you down, but a flat will slow you down more.

 

[Bettleguise]

Slime does work. The valve thing isn't much of an issue, you can just remove the valve and clean the hardened slime out. If you get a small puncture flat, the slime will give you some extra time before the tire actually goes 100% flat, as in you can still make it home or to work or to the bike shop.
It's hard to patch a tube with slime in it though. I think it does mess with the riding. So I'm off the slime for now! Too messy, heavy, rotation problems ect. But it's great for certain uses, ie cargo bikes, trikes, pedicabs. Slime +downhill tube +mr tuffy is bombproof.