Perishing home-made ranger bands

[foxyrick]

No I'm not swearing, that's what all mine are doing.

I cut them from Kenda seamless butyl tubes. Ones that are unused are fine, but all that have been put under a bit of long-term stretch (around an altoids tin or the vaseline tin) start to disintegrate after just a few months. The pictures tell the story - click on them for bigger versions.

Has anyone else experienced it and is it just a case of changing them every couple of months if they are used like this?

 

[Scott Free]

Mine seem to last just fine, but I've never stretched quite as far as you did. Running the bands around the short side of the tin might help. Also, I'd make sure the Vaseline container is extremely clean as oils will eat through the rubber.

 

[crackerjax]

Could also depend on where you live and air quality/ humidity.

 

[unit]

There has been a great deal of variability in recent years with the manufacture of tubes. The quality level was perhaps at its worst between 5 and 8 years ago. Processes are improving but there is a lot of old stock still in the pipes.

Regardless, even the poorest quality will give you a month of use...and you can make many bands from a single tube. My suggestion is to ask around your local bike shop...if you can recycle some of their trash, you will have a lifetime supply...and you will find a sample that will last better than the one you have.

Also, it looks like you are putting a pretty significant stretch on them...that tends to dry them out a little faster. Might want to step up to a wheel barrow tube?

 

[6shooter]

I use a fatter tube from a downhill bike tire for most things. It works really well for altoids tins.

 

[mtwarden]

mine have lasted a long time and still going, but they aren't cut as thin or stretched as much- I can't help but think the stretching is a major part of the problem

bike shop as mentioned above is a great source for skinny to fat tubes- the price is right too