Installing Slime Flat Protector Tube Liners In A 700x32c Tire

I damaged my rear Schwalbe Marathon tire to the point where the tire started to bulge in one area, causing the tire to rub against the rear fender. I knew it was just a matter of time before the tire blew and left me stranded on the side of the road, so I replaced the tire with a spare tire I had sitting in my work area.

My spare tire is a Bontrager H5 700x32c. Its a nice tire, but doesn’t offer the flat resistance found in the Schwalbe Marathon tire. I experienced 2 flats using the H5 tire within 4 or 5 rides. This is just too many flat tires, but instead of ordering a new Schwalbe tire and having to wait for shipping, I decided to try the Slime Flat Protector Tube Liner’s sold at my local Walmart store. The Slime tube liners fit tires size’s 12-26 x 1.75-2.125, which makes my 700x32c tires out of range. My original plan was to cut the liners making them more narrow, but after seeing how the liner fit inside the tire I decided not to alter their shape. I did however sand the sharp edges off the ends of the liner using 320 and 1500 grit sand paper. I made sure all sharp edges that could possibly come into contact with the tube were sanded down and smooth. On one side of the liner there are ridges on both edges running the entire length of the tube liner.  I couldn’t see these ridges, but I could feel them with my fingers. I made sure they were facing away from the tube and toward the tire when I installed the liner

The dimensions of the tube liner are:

• Length is 88 inches
• Width is 1.3 inches
• Thickness is .023 inches
• Weight is 74 grams

Installation involves inserting the liner into the tire making sure the liner is pressed against the tire and centered. The liner will overlap itself, so this is normal. To help hold the liner, put enough air into your tube to give it form and remove all wrinkles, than insert the tube into the tire to hold the liner in place. After that installing the tire/tube/liner on the wheel rim is pretty much the same as installing the tire/tube without the liner.

I will be doing periodic updates to let my readers know how the liners are holding up, and if I experience any flats, so keep checking back.

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Update 4/3/2016: Went on a 12.5 mile ride and didn’t experience any flats or problems with the rear tire.

Update 4/8/2016: Added 15.6 miles without any problems.

Update 4/10/2016: Added 12.92 miles without any problems. Tire still going strong.

Update 4/26/2016: Added 20.38 miles. Tire still going strong. Because of all the negative feedback I read about this product on Amazon, I wasn’t expecting my tire to last this long. I am starting to think most of those negative comments are from people who didn’t install the tube liners correctly, or didn’t maintain their tire pressure. Its important to check your tires on a regular basis, before every ride or at least once a week.

Update 5/13/2016 Added 50.08 miles. Still no flats or problems with the rear tire and tube. Very happy with the Slime Tube Liner so far.

Update 5/20/2016 Added 50.83 miles and still no flats.

Update 5/27/2016 Added 62.92 miles to the tire using the Slime Flat Protector Tube Liner and still no flats or leaks.

Update 6/5/2016 Added 43.65 miles to the tire using the Slime Flat Protector Tube Liner and still no flats or leaks.

Update 7/14/2016 Added 36.96 miles and everything is still going good with tire.

Update 8/11/2016 Added 27.19 miles and everything is still working good.

Update 12/22/2016 Added 50.03 miles since my last update. I am going to close this review, and say the Slime tube liner worked real well for me. I haven’t had a flat tire since I started using them, and I will definitely continue to use the product. I think my tire tread will wear out before I have another flat. Its an excellent solution because you can use a cheap tire with the Slime tube liner and get better flat protection than you get from more expensive tires.

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John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.“