Conference noted::bicycle

    Hey....
    
    I've never heard of thorn proof inner tubes though I do know of
    at least two companies who make thorn proof tire liners.  These
    are strips made of some variety of plastic that is inserted between
    the tube and the tire.  Cost is about $5-10 and I think various
    sizes are available.  I forget the company names though they do
    advertise in the bike rags.  Bike shops carry them or I guess you
    could send away for them.  If you'd like more specific info I could
    probably get it for you (ie. check the mags).
    
    From what I understand of these liners they work real well.  The
    side effect (there's always a side effect) is a slight degregation
    in handling though its not very significant.  
    
    Ben.

    
    Thorn-proof inner tubes are nothing more than thicker rubber, but
    only on the outside edge, they're tapered thinner towards the valve
    side. I believe Schwinn introduced them many years ago to deal with
    the western folks who were having real problems with thorns in the
    road.
    
    Tire liners, aka Mr Tuffy not only handle poorly, they're HEAVY
    and also make repairs more difficult. Unless you have a real problem
    with debris, go for the thicker tubes. Wiping your tires off every
    few miles won't hurt, either (unless this is on a mountain bike)
    
    CdH
    
    
    

    I discovered thorn-proof tubes in California, where there is some
    ornamental plant that dumps thorns along the roadside!
    
    They are just thick tubes.  Specialized makes some for skinny
    clinchers, which I use on my wife's and daughter's bikes along with
    Kevlar tires.  No flats in two years, and the heavy tubes seem to
    hold air longer than thin ones.
    
    paul

Performance bicycle catalog lists thornproof tubes in the catalog that 
just arrived. Their addr is mentioned in a note within the last couple 
days, I don't have it handy. The t-p tubes I've seen had a standard 
weight inner surface and almost a 1/4" outer surface. Quite heavy - like 
weight of 2 or 3 regular light tubes. But then, heavy is better than 
running on 14psi (ambient air pressure....)
                                                      :-)
                                                      ken

    
    
    Hi!
    
    Thorn proof tubes are more popular in the southwest where they have
    low lying shrub that grows a circular burr with horns on them that
    are as sharp as needles and long and strong enough to go through
    regular tires.
    
    At one point in New Mexico (Tucumcari) during a cross country ride
    we had rolled our bikes off the road and into some cover for the
    night. When morning came we found we each had 15+ punctures in our
    tubes. This is how I learned about the "Goats Head", that's what
    they call them.

    

    
    	I have used both the thornproof tubes and Mr Tuffys, and the
    Mr tuffys weigh less.   Both are effective.
    
    	After using all of two patch kits, way off in a remote area
    with the mountain bike, I decided to add the Mr Tuffys to my
    mtn bike, and do not regret the decision, although I will admit
    it has probably slowed me down.   It was not as noticable as
    putting in the thornproofs was.   Installing the Mr Tuffys is
    difficult though, but gets easier once you know how.   Use lots
    of talc, and put the mr tuffy in after the tube is in place.
    
    	Mr Tuffys will never wear out (unlike the thornproofs),
    and you don't have to carry spare Mr tuffys, although you *should*
    carry a spare tube, even if you are using thornproofs.   In the
    case of carrying spares, if you use thornproofs, you are carrying
    the extra weight twice (once in tire and again in the spare tube).
    
    	Target sells something similar to mr tuffy for about $5 per
    wheel.   Genuine brand name Mr tuffys sell for about $10 for a pair.
    (ie, same price!)
    
    				Alan.

When I bought my new mountain bike last year my wife droped me off at the
shop and I rode the bike home.  On the way I went through a bunch of the
previously mentioned thorns.  I had about 50 (yes 50!) punctures per wheel.
I use the Mr. Tuffy tire liners also and have not had a single flat since.

	I had Mr. Tuffy tire protectors in my tires for a while... then I
	got a flat caused by the sharp edge of the Mr. Tuffy cutting
	through my tube.

	A friend of mine has Specialized Touring K4 (Kevlar belted) tires.  
	He says that he regularly pulls large slivers of glass out of his
	tread.  None have gotten to the innertube.