Recycling inner tubes?

[CREPELLO]

Has anybody got any novel applications for old inner tubes? Or perhaps you could just repeat well known use for those that hadn't come across such an application. Inner tubes strike me as having lots of potential, but I imagine most just get chucked away. Some cyclists don't even repair them!

ONE: My first suggestion is to use one as a tie for a newly planted tree. Tie it around the tree securing it to the anchoring stake, not too high up. The flexing this allows when it's windy will 'harden' the tree,making it grow stronger by gently stretching the roots and trunk.

[robgul]

An idea that was in Cycle mag a few months ago for drop bars ... cut two short lengths (about 3cm) and roll them on the bars before taping (obviously brake levers will have to be removed) - then tape the bars and roll the sleeve of tubing over the end of the tape on the bar tops - reduces the chances of the tape unwinding. Similar idea with 2 sleeves slipped on to the bar ends after taping - again reduces the risk of unravelling.

Works - well on the 2 or 3 bikes I've just refurbished

Rob

[glueman]

Cricket bat handles. Or cut them into sections, staple the end and use them to stop your spare batteries getting wet or cash rattling around.

[Brian G]

I used a length of inner tube to waterproof the join in the cable for my garden water feature.

Brian

[gilesjuk]

On mountain bikes with suspension forks you can cable tie old tubes between the crown and the curved cross bar to stop the mud being flung forward. This stops you riding into the airborne mud and getting covered in it.

[Lawrie9]

You can glue you old inner tubes together to make a wetsuit which is ideal for surfing at this time of year.

[anniesboy]

Extension to the tap on water butts.

[CREPELLO]

A lower crown race protector/boot. Either wrap round and glue or remove the forks and slide down the steerer uncut, before refitting forks and rolling it back over the bearing.

[cycleruk]

The old one - Rubber bands.
Cut diagonally to make larger ones.
My motorbike innertube makes really big ones.

I also put some over the arms of my car cycle carrier.

[CREPELLO]

Waterproof cleat seals: sandwich between the shoe sole and inside cleat plate. Seal with glue or Shoogoo http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoe_Goo.

[valshouse]

Holding up rose bushes

[Michael R]

Use it for a powerful catapault. Good for sorting out rogue motorists:)

[Gearoidmuar]

Mounting a GPS.

"Proper" GPS mounts often apparently have the side-effect of rattling the unit so much that it turns off.

I put mine on a portion of a sponge, on the handlebar stem and tied on with a bit of an old tube. I tie the GPS lanyard on the stem as well. It works very well and the unit has never turned off.

[squeaker]

Anti-chafe tubes for where your mooring lines run through the fairleads....

[Si]

a section fitted tightly to the ankle can stop water getting into your seal-skins