Slime self-sealing inner tubes: ride on after punctures + Win a Pair

If there’s one thing that unites cyclists of every stripe it’s a shared loathing of punctures. The hiss of escaping air is the universal sound of a ride gone pear-shaped, and it often happens at the worst possible moment.

In years gone by, a roadside puncture meant getting out the tyre levers, finding the hole, and patiently patching the inner tube with glue. These days, fewer people bother with the repair ritual, preferring to whip out the old tube and pop in a new one. It’s quicker, sure – but still a faff when you just want to get home.

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That’s where self-sealing inner tubes come in. Pre-filled with a special green sealant, these tubes can instantly plug small punctures – the sort caused by thorns, glass, or other sharp debris – without you having to lift a tyre lever. Ride on and, in many cases, you won’t even know you’ve had a puncture. We love slime tubes because they’re a low-effort insurance policy against minor flats. They’re especially handy for utility riders, touring cyclists, and e-bike users who’d rather not wrangle a wheel by the roadside.

It’s only when you peel off a tyre after a few months on the road – in the photo above, a Gatorskin humbled by a rogue staple – that you appreciate how slime tubes earn their keep. This one had been quietly holding a rock-solid 100psi without us ever knowing it had punctured - and slime tubes offer this protiection for up to two years at a time.

On the flip side, they’re not everyone’s cup of tea. Some cyclists say they find them heavy, slow and harsh to ride on, and there’s still a limit to what they can fix – a large cut in the tyre wall will have you reaching for your phone, not your pump.

Speaking of phones…

If you’re an ETA cycle insurance customer, you don’t need to fear even the biggest puncture or mechanical mishap. Cycle Rescue operates 24/7 across the UK – whether it’s a shredded tyre, a broken chain, or even a flat e-bike battery, we’ll come to you and recover both you and your bike to your chosen destination. It’s the cycling equivalent of roadside breakdown cover for cars – only greener (and better value). £24 for the year or included for free with every ETA cycle insurance policy.
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Cycle Rescue is free with ETA bicycle insurance

If you suffer a breakdown (including punctures, or even a flat e-bike battery) while out cycling, our 24-hour Cycle Rescue team is on hand to arrange transport for you and your bicycle to a safe location. The service is included for free with ETA cycle insurance, along with:

• Theft, accidental damage & vandalism
• E-bike battery theft cover
• Cycle Rescue
• No devaluation of your bike over time
• £2m third party PLUS £20,000 personal accident cover
• Shed and garage storage
• Low standard excess of 5% (£50 minimum)

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Win a pair of slime self-sealing inner tubes

We’re giving away a pair of slime-filled, self-sealing inner tubes in the size of your choice. To enter, simply leave a message below with the tyre size you’d like – and you could be banish the puncture fairy for the next two years.

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