Inner Tubes
What’s the difference between a Presta and Schrader valve?
Schrader valves are the most common valve stems found on bicycles and car tires. The most recognizable of the bunch, sometimes they are referred to as standard valves. An easy way to remember if you have a Schrader valve is to think of the “S.” Schrader valves are short, sturdy and standard. If you don’t know what valve stem you have, it is likely a Schrader.
The other most common valve stem type is Presta. Presta valves are traditionally found on higher-end bicycles preferred by professional cyclists. Think of the “P” in Presta standing for professional, performance and premium. If you have a Presta valve, you usually know it.
Slime tubes did not prevent my tire from going flat. Why didn’t it work?
The Slime sealant may not have adequately sealed on the first attempt. We recommend checking the tire for puncturing objects, removing any if found, re-inflating the tire and immediately rotating it. This forces the sealant to flow around the inner tube, allowing it to locate and repair the puncture. Slime’s tube sealant is not guaranteed to seal gashes from glass or metal, bead leaks, sidewall punctures or pinch flats. Be sure to check your valve to ensure air loss is not occurring at this source.
Why did my inner tube pop or explode?
Although the inner tube holds the air pressure, the tire itself is what actually contains the tube so it holds the proper shape and remains intact. A tube is like a balloon -- it will keep expanding until it pops if not incased in a tire.
The only way that the tube can physically explode is if the tube material is outside of the rim/tire and gets stretched beyond its means (when inflating your tire, do not exceed the maximum tire pressure noted on the sidewall of the tire) or pinched/sliced because it is no longer encased by a tire. If the tube gets a puncture that cannot be sealed by Slime sealant (a pinch flat, a sidewall puncture or a tread area puncture larger than 1/8”) the air would simply escape from the tire until it the tire is flat.
It is possible that the tire itself may be defective. If the bead is not gripping the rim properly, when you inflate the tire, the bead slips off the rim and causes the now unsupported tube to pop. In other words, it may not be the force of the popping that blows the tire off the rim, it may be that the tire coming off the rim is what is causing the tube to pop.
What type of punctures will self-seal by Slime?
Slime tubes will self-seal punctures up to ⅛” (3mm). The puncture must occur in the tread area of the tube since Slime cannot reach or seal punctures outside of the tread area.
What happens to Slime after 2 years?
Slime is a liquid that may dry out over long periods of time. For maximum puncture protection and optimal performance, we recommended that tubes be replaced after 2 years. If the tube is still in good condition after 2 years, it is OK to add more Slime to the tube.
Slime clogged my valve stem. How do I unclog it?
If the valve stem becomes clogged, use a wet rag to wipe the area around the valve. Next, remove the valve core and use a wet cotton swab to wipe the inside of the valve and the O-rings on the valve core. Re-insert the valve core and inflate the tire. If the valve is still clogged, consult your tire care professional.