Landfill-friendly life hack: best uses for flat tubes....whatcha got?

[54ny77]

Another thread got me to thinkin' that some of you's smart folks out there probably have creative ideas for flatted tubes.

Offhand, I can recall using 'em for:
1) A bungee-like tie for any number of items.
2) As a grippy base for handlebar-mounted lights (keeps it from rotating or sliding).
3) When delicately cut into small round circles, I've used 'em as a washer on any number of items, including various touch points for Honjo fenders. I did this in a pinch since I didn't have leather washers, and it worked like a charm.
4) Trimmed and cut to fit underneath furniture legs on wood floors.

[thirdgenbird]

I’ve cut thin cross sections and used them as rubber bands. If you have a larger diameter tube, the resulting rubber bands can be great for keeping spare tubes folded. Some tubes come packaged that way.

[shrimp123]

hand pump water-proofer

[Louis]

https://assets.puzzlefactory.pl/puzzle/140/468/original.jpg

[Hakkalugi]

I loop them through the D-rings in my truck to hold stuff in place.

[RFC]

Wrapped tightly to replace or enhance grips on tools. Also, for chain stay protectors. And use them to tie back and shape bushes and shrubs.

[Spinner]

I have a used tube looped-over a load bearing I-beam in my basement (supports floor joists for the first floor). I lift my bike and put the nose of the saddle through the loop ends to suspend the bike for easy cleaning and minor adjustments. Even though I have an Ultimate repair stand, I prefer using the above for quick fixes.

[tuscanyswe]

Wrapped tightly to replace or enhance grips on tools. Also, for chain stay protectors. And use them to tie back and shape bushes and shrubs.

This is not a bad usage.

Sometimes when u use that not so great fitting wrench on your new t47 chris king bbs a rubber protection is not all bad .)

[TunaAndBikes]

I use them to repair other tubes, till those ones are in disrepair :banana:

[Steve in SLO]

Rubber bands and hangers here, too. Also:
Handles, but instead of wrapping, stretch over the handle using talc.
Support straps for plants to tie to stakes and espaliers.
Filling empty cardboxes that would otherwise be discarded:)
Someday I want to weave some together and make a gear hammock, or maybe even a human one.

[philhan89]

great thread! ive only used as bungees but its great to see how creative people are with them. my father in law took serious offense when he saw me throw out a tube while wrenching one day. he was like, "do you know for like how many things i can use that for!?" didnt inquire, he got it in the end, wonder what its being used for lol. also, tubes to patch tubes...mind blown.

[54ny77]

GREAT idea on cutting them for rubber bands. Thx for the tip. Am always scrounging for a rubber band when I really need one in a pinch, and am too forgetful to go buy a box.

[choke]

I cut them into wider rubber bands and use them to hold down the loose end of straps on a backpack.

They can be used as an emergency fire starter.

[William]

Belt anyone?:)




W.

[William]

Maybe not so good for gloves...:rolleyes: :)



W.

[cgolvin]

I use them to repair other tubes, till those ones are in disrepair :banana:

I haven't had much success with this -- any secrets to yours?

[kppolich]

Switch tubeless and limit your waste with less tubes!

[TunaAndBikes]

I haven't had much success with this -- any secrets to yours?

Clean and rough up both surfaces
Apply Glue
Clamp down for 10-30 minutes
Let rest for a day

I've only had good consistent results with Elmers Rubber Cement
I've also went to various bike shops to ask for their scrap tubes to repair and use on my bike, because i'm a cheap bastard.
Currently both wheels and all my spares have patches and going strong.

[smontanaro]

We've used them to hold up the peonies in the garden. I have a Clif Bar trouser band made from an old inner tube + a bit of velcro.

[charliedid]

I got nothing other than a shout to my friend Andy who has been keeping tubes and other bike and motorcycle parts out of landfills for 30 years now. Great stuff. https://www.bikefurniture.com/

https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e18abfe4b0f6380a917a01/1525232432676-C59N7FGXZWD4L3E4IJBL/ke17ZwdGBToddI8pDm48kIE68UmE2SXbjbBF6nFI-qd7gQa3H78H3Y0txjaiv_0fDoOvxcdMmMKkDsyUqMSsMWxHk72 5yiiHCCLfrh8O1z5QPOohDIaIeljMHgDF5CVlOqpeNLcJ80NK6 5_fV7S1UQD1Vt886NBcjJdtGwhTrhpxLfEXdvNU-bSZbVqXyjMU78ELKKMk3zeaJMjNiKdaSw/S2-LOUNGE-BICYCLE-CHAIR-634.jpg?format=1000w

[Seramount]

have used old tubes as regulator hose tie-downs on gas cylinders for diving...

[bart998]

I use them for (under the tape) handlebar padding.

[Octave]

We turned a couple hundred collected over many, many years into several medicine balls for home exercise. Cut the valves out and wrap them like a rubberband ball.

[boywander]

Clean and rough up both surfaces
Apply Glue
Clamp down for 10-30 minutes
Let rest for a day

I've only had good consistent results with Elmers Rubber Cement
I've also went to various bike shops to ask for their scrap tubes to repair and use on my bike, because i'm a cheap bastard.
Currently both wheels and all my spares have patches and going strong.


It works even better if you light fire to the cement briefly to get it hot then mashed them together clamp down.

[bambam]

under handlebar tape for a little extra cushion.

Cut to desired thickness and wrap just like bar tape.

Seems like it takes out a little vibration and makes the bars fatter and easier to hold.

Also prevents a lot of bar tape glue residue.

[Idris Icabod]

Gimp masks, also makes a wonderful Christmas present for close family.

[katematt]

I have a MA-40 rim mirror from him in the 1/2 bath that i love.I got nothing other than a shout to my friend Andy who has been keeping tubes and other bike and motorcycle parts out of landfills for 30 years now. Great stuff. https://www.bikefurniture.com/

https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52e18abfe4b0f6380a917a01/1525232432676-C59N7FGXZWD4L3E4IJBL/ke17ZwdGBToddI8pDm48kIE68UmE2SXbjbBF6nFI-qd7gQa3H78H3Y0txjaiv_0fDoOvxcdMmMKkDsyUqMSsMWxHk72 5yiiHCCLfrh8O1z5QPOohDIaIeljMHgDF5CVlOqpeNLcJ80NK6 5_fV7S1UQD1Vt886NBcjJdtGwhTrhpxLfEXdvNU-bSZbVqXyjMU78ELKKMk3zeaJMjNiKdaSw/S2-LOUNGE-BICYCLE-CHAIR-634.jpg?format=1000w

[pdonk]

Currently using one for an exercise stretch band.

Also use for chain stay protectors.

[Cantdog]

Gimp masks, also makes a wonderful Christmas present for close family.

Unfortunately not covid approved.

[Dekonick]

:)

Retired from the fire department now, but we used to use larger tubes as 'door chocks' Cut a hole for a door knob, have the rubber wrap around to the other side thus covering the door latch, have a similar hole on the other side for the other door knob. Cheap, and it keeps doors from latching behind you when you enter a room filled with smoke. It also makes it much easier to tell which door you used when you entered a room...

Also made larger bands to go on the top of the helmet to hold wooden triangle wedges that were used to wedge a door open... similar intent.

Bike tubes tend to be too small... but fatties would work. We used wheel barrow tubes and larger... whatever was free. A bike tube might work if you just cut a long slit for each doorknob... I never tried.