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The slime should stay in the tube! One thing to note; when you air up the tire with the slime tube, make sure the valve is at the bottom of the tire. Keeps gravity from allowing the slime to leak out of the valve. I only use a slime tube on my mtb bike, and only on the rear tire. It must work - I've never gotten a flat on that tire.
I don't use slime tubes on my lightweight road bike....... I don't get flats that often and I honestly don't want to add the extra weight. Not just weight but rotating weight that you are pushing around with every pedal stroke. I got that bike to ride fast and adding unnecassary weight doesn't make sense to me. Different story on my touring bike. Considering what it weighs to begin with, adding extra weight wouldn't even be noticeable. If I got a lot of flats, I'd go with a slime tube, at least on the rear. Taking bags off to change the tire is a pain! So far, tho', it hasn't been an issue and normal tubes are fine.
It's definitely a matter of individual preference. If you hate changing tires and get lots of flats, go for the slime. If you are trying to keep the bike lightweight, don't get many flats, and are comfortable changing them, then skip the slime.
annie
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A little of the goo was inside my tire when I changed the tube. I usually try to keep the valve on the upside, because the goo will naturally flow to the bottom of the tube.
I haven't made a mess yet - either changing my flat or when I initially put the tubes in. We also run slimes on our mountain bikes and the tandem. We're definitely flat averse.
Veronica
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Slime has saved the day many times out on the trail. I ride in the deserts around Phoenix; some places we go are fairly remote, and it's a big bummer to get a flat 10 miles from the cars when it's getting up to 100 degrees in the shade. The beauty of slime is that usually you don't need to change the tube. All you do is remove the thorn or whatever is causing the hole, spin the wheel so the slime can fill it, get out your CO2 and give it some air, spin again, and you're on your way. I had a flat once that hissed loudly, and I thought, oh boy, the slime isn't going to handle it. But, it did!
However, you asked if the slime stays in the tubes, and does it make a mess. Well, yes, it sometimes is messy. I try to remember to always leave my wheels set so the stem of the tube is at the bottom, with the slime draining out. If I forget, sometimes the slime gets on the pump. Also, a couple times when I had major tire damage, such as when I picked up a 3 inch nail (On the trail! How'd that get there?). When the tires blow big, the slime erupts. But, no big deal, you just wipe it off.
The slime tubes really are worth the extra expense. When I've actually had to change the tubes, I usually find half a dozen little green spots where the slime took care of business for me.
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After getting a flat on three out of three rides on my mtb (lots of briars around here), I decided I needed some sort of protection. the lbs was out of slime tubes so I decided to try a Slime tire liner. It's a lightweight liner that protects the tube from puncture through the tread, won't help for sidewall or pinch flats. They guarantee it for flats from tread punctures and will replace the tube and the liner if you send it back to them. So far, so good!
