10 Bicycle Inner Tube Hacks

Today, we put those old inner tubes to use!
(No French Bulldogs were harmed)

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[SethsBikeHacks]

Hey guys, Brian and Alexander are on their way through the South right now, posting videos as they go. They're making their way here, so head over to "BKXC" and "The Singletrack Sampler" to follow the journey! I miss those guys!

[onilovni]

Does anybody use inner tubes for their original purpose anymore?

[InitialDave]

Few more?

- To make holes through rubber like that, a drill is hard work, as you saw. A set of hollow punches you hit with a hammer is a much easier method, and they're cheap. Good for leather or fabric, too.

- An old inner tube makes a good cover for a chain so you can lock your bike (or other things) up without being scratched.

- The "soft jaws" for a vice trick also works for bike racks etc, sometimes the hard plastic can trash stickers or even paint if they're particularly aggressive.

- If you cut out the valve for one of the hacks, throw it in your toolpack etc. A spare valve core can be handy, and you've just got a free one.

- Cheap, thin wrenches (like for pedals) or allen keys are nicer to use with an inner tube for padding on your hand.

- a small section of tube ziptied both ends is a good way to carry spare bolts or other small spares, MUCH tougher than a little plastic bag.

[Smowling]

I have one for you. If you use quick link in your chain and you have to dislink that with no tools you can use piece of cord or your shoelace to do that. Simply navigate your cord around quicklink and pull inwards, that will dislink your chain and even keep that in place. I figuret that out the other day on trail, quite usefull I have to say.

[szczur]

Imagine being a tube and the tube that was next to you in factory goes to a famous cyclist and you just stand and hold trash

[johank]

The dropper post boot was the best hack you've done! I got it on my daily driver 2003 kona cinder cone now, looks the part.

[loganrolfsen]

"The gum gets you out of a sticky situation." Pun intended?

[andym]

I like to cut the tubes into various widths, usually 1/4" to 1", and keep them around as heavy duty rubber bands.

[viper]

The real question is:
Can you turn an inner tube into tubeless sealant?

[carolinabeacher]

we have sand spurs where i live so i take old tubes and cut a slit around the inside center of the tube (remove valve stem) and put new tube inside to protect from sand spurs.

[timosborne]

I use a ~3 inch chunk of tube on my zippo lighter, it seals the lighter so that the fluid will stay in longer and it's water proof. I use it when I'm camping because I only use the zippo once a day but don't want to have to fill it every time I need to start a fire.

[matthewmigdalewicz]

Seth! Thanks for inspiring me to reuse old inner tubes in weird ways. That strap on my Synchros Tailor cage broke for my frame pump and I used a an inner tube to fasten it!

[superbikebot]

Tubes can make great crank stops for tail whips and no footers. Just wrap ~6 inches around the non drive side and you're all set.

[eduardoraschedamotta]

Wrap thin pieces of inner tube around the hubs to keep them clean on the go. Works like a charm. Cheerio!

[arvizz]

Can you do a new walmart test? I want to see if its better than it was

[mesk]

About to try the dropper post boot, that's awesome! Also you dont need to be precise to do the "split tube" tubeless set up. Just cut the seam opposite the valve all the way around (split the tube), mount it as shown, but leave the excess to hang out and trim it (carefully, with an exacto, or razor blade) after the tire is mounted and inflated. Works like a charm.

[SpaghettiniFiveMillion]

Legends say, that an inner tube can cure cancer if used correctly.

[ryanfrizzell]

Nice video. With this information I can better manage my inner tubes and keep them fit for the road. Thanks

[alexheather]

hi Seth, thanks to you inspiring me to try mountain biking. I went on my very first mountain bike ride today.

[waveydavey]

My old dad showed me that if you warm up the rubber by putting it in hot water, it makes it soft and pliable and easyer to fit. When it cools, it shrinks and hardens making a nice neat job.
A piece of innertube rubber and some magnetic tape can go inside the jaws of a vice to grip and protect delicate components.