I have a collection of innertubes that can no longer be repaired because either the valve broke or the break was on the seam of the valve. The old tubes give a lifetime supply of rubber bands cut to your width of choice. The whole tube also functions as a bungee cord.

But I have to wonder, can they serve us better by preventing future punctures? Two things to consider:

  • A tube could be sliced lengthwise (not cross-sectionally), and it could give an extra lining between the tire and the inflated tube. As tires develop cracks that expose the tube, an old sacrifical tube could perhaps mitigate a puncture. Might it make sense to glue the old tube to the inside of the tire?
  • Tubes are wasted when they break near the valve seam. What if a section of old tube is cut and a hole is made so that it can wrap around the valve of the new tube? Would it help reinforce the area around the valve? Might it be practical to do this to repair one tube with another where the valve seam is broken?