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Baby powder anyone?

1724 Views 16 Replies 15 Participants Last post by Drewdane, Oct 13, 2005

TREK'ed-out!

Discussion Starter · May 2, 2005

I'm about to replace my tires and while taking out the old ones I've noticed the tube slightly "glued" to the inner face of the tires. I've heared once from a bike mechanic that pourring a little Tulk inside the tire, or slightly coating the tube with it, would prevent a tube from blowing up (due to excessive friction heat with the tire). Does this make any sense?
What do you use when replacing tubes or tires?

Thanks

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

Cleaner

· #2 · May 2, 2005

Baby powder will work, it contains talc which inhibits the tube sticking.

chirider990

· #3 · May 2, 2005

worked for me

i am currently using lunar light tubes 94 grams. when installing i used a bit of baby powder. the tubes and tires went on better than usual and i have not had any problems with any blowouts. i will use it in the tires every chance i get. when taking the tubes out of the tires without baby powder i found they stick. problem solved.
Ride and Smile

TREK'ed-out!

Discussion Starter · #4 · May 2, 2005

Thanks.

Well, I guess I'm off to get me some talc.

bike_freak

· #5 · May 2, 2005

TREK'ed-out! said:
Well, I guess I'm off to get me some talc.

i also always use baby powder in my tires..

azdrawdy

· #6 · May 2, 2005

Been dumping baby powder in my tires for years. Definitely keeps friction to a minimum.

Michael

cmdrpiffle

· #7 · Sep 9, 2005

I used baby powder in my tires for 20 years. Use it liberally.

achiral

· #8 · Sep 9, 2005

Just be careful of which baby powder you get.

Much of the baby powder is now cornstarch, not talc. When cornstarch gets wet, it will dissolve (and things will grow in it.)

As a side note - is there anywhere to get unscented talc?

Jesse David Smith

· #9 · Sep 9, 2005

sources for tire talc

Denisovich said:
Just be careful of which baby powder you get.

Much of the baby powder is now cornstarch, not talc. When cornstarch gets wet, it will dissolve (and things will grow in it.)

As a side note - is there anywhere to get unscented talc?

http://www.biketoolsetc.com/index.c... Kits and Supplies&tc=Tire Talc&item_id=RE-63http://www.worldclasscycles.com/tubes_adhesives.htm
http://www.branfordbike.com/tires/tire6.html#item3

achiral

· #10 · Sep 10, 2005

Jesse David Smith said:
http://www.biketoolsetc.com/index.c... Kits and Supplies&tc=Tire Talc&item_id=RE-63http://www.worldclasscycles.com/tubes_adhesives.htm
http://www.branfordbike.com/tires/tire6.html#item3

Thank you. Baby powder scented gloves after changing out a flat aren't a good thing.

logbiter

· #11 · Sep 12, 2005

Denisovich said:
Thank you. Baby powder scented gloves after changing out a flat aren't a good thing.

powder smell is better than baby butt smell!

mtbAndy

· #12 · Sep 12, 2005

Some baby powder on the tubes is a good idea. It keeps the tube from sticking to the tire an helps prevent the tube from friction damage. I usually put my spare tubes in a sandwich bag ready for installation.

texheckler

· #13 · Sep 15, 2005

I can't help myself...

What is a tube? 2BLISS

adamantane

· #14 · Oct 13, 2005

completely makes sense...been using talcum powder in my dirtbike for years now.

it allows the inner tube to move a little within the tire...need this relaxation

Lost81

· #15 · Oct 13, 2005

A long time ago, I used powdered graphite instead of talcum powder. It had the advantage of retaining it slickness even after water has gotten into the wheels (e.g. from stream crossings). The problem was that it retained its slickness too well. You will never get a patch to stick to the tube after a flat

Warp

· #16 · Oct 13, 2005

Lost81 said:
A long time ago, I used powdered graphite instead of talcum powder. It had the advantage of retaining it slickness even after water has gotten into the wheels (e.g. from stream crossings). The problem was that it retained its slickness too well. You will never get a patch to stick to the tube after a flat

And it will grow old on you as it's freaking difficult to wash off your hands...

Drewdane

· #17 · Oct 13, 2005

Denisovich said:
Just be careful of which baby powder you get.

Much of the baby powder is now cornstarch, not talc. When cornstarch gets wet, it will dissolve (and things will grow in it.)

As a side note - is there anywhere to get unscented talc?

Baby/talcum powder's not a good thing to breathe in (you're actually not supposed to use it on babies for that reason). I use straight Corn Starch, have had no difficulties whatsoever with exposure to wet.

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

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