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Specialized Air Lock

Average Rating 3.78/5
# of Reviews 27
MSRP $ 8.00
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Description:Specialized Air Lock





Submitted by tim a Weekend Warrior from kyrgyzstan
Date Reviewed: May 15, 2008
Duration Product Used:2 Years
Price Paid: $5.00
Strengths:They hold air
Weaknesses:...except if you get a puncture
Similar Products Used:slime tubes
Bike Setup:Trek Liquid
Bottom Line:I have used these in hopes that during my rides in Kyrgyzstan I wouldn't be stuck out in the boonies somewhere. Good thing I always carry patch kits and pump. These things are worthless. The stuff spews out but doesn't seal. Save your money. DO NOT rely on these tubes to seal any punctures.
Value Rating:1Overall Rating:1

Submitted by Al a Racer from Wyoming
Date Reviewed: August 30, 2007
Favorite Trail:Cambria
Duration Product Used:2 Years
Price Paid: $8.00
Strengths:Great resistance to cactus and thorns in general
Weaknesses:Seam splits
Similar Products Used:Slime tubes and nearly any self sealing tube brand
Bike Setup:07 epic with bb7 discs, xc race bars... rest is stock for now...
Bottom Line:These tubes are good at times and horrible at other times. The inner valve locking mechanism on the presta tubes are horrible. Even when tightened they do not stay tight and at times unscrew completely from within the valve stem. Very Very good resistence to flats from cactus or thorns. You might lose a little pressure but just pump up back at home and it usually holds. USUALLY.... I just bought about 4 new tubes of this type and the first two I installed SPLIT AT THE SEAMS(as afformentioned by other riders). I mean one is ok, but two... From that batch I had one more split at a different seam. Of course the shop was quick to give me new tubes, but why bother. I won't buy any more specialized self sealing tubes. These are subpar except for the very few tubes that perform exceptionally. 1 chili for value due to the fact its costing someone to replace all those returned tubes. Overall you might get a good tube, but you might get a tube splitting at the seams.
Value Rating:1Overall Rating:2

Submitted by Troy a Cross Country Rider from St. Croix, Virgin Islands
Date Reviewed: January 22, 2004
Duration Product Used:More than 3 years
Price Paid: $8.00
Strengths:It works
Weaknesses:Some pumps don't lock on the presta valve well.
Similar Products Used:regular tubes
Bike Setup:OCLV TREK with all the goodies &
Diamond Back V-Link
Bottom Line:I use these tubes for years (over 7). The ones on my OCLV are over 3 years old. I had 2 completely fail on me after months of riding but they were replaced for free by the local bike shop no questions asked (tubes have 1 year guarantee). If you don't like to fix flats try these out.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:4

Submitted by Mike a Weekend Warrior from Albuquerque, NM
Date Reviewed: August 17, 2003
Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
Price Paid: $7.00
Strengths:None, unknown.

Weaknesses:Bad valves: can't fill it with air. Bad sealant: can't let air out. Heavy.
Bottom Line:Since the diameter of the presta valve is so large it wouldn't go into my pump. This might not have been such a problem if there were any threading for a retainer nut to hold the valve to the rim. But Specialized went with the cheapest possible valves instead -- no threading, no retainer.

I have a very common floor pump by Wrench Force and, after messing with it for 20 minutes I was able to get a tiny bit of air in, but it was leaking air from the pump/valve connection since most of the valve was inside the tire area. I even tried pushing from the other side but it wouldn't go in. Are these "specialized" presta valves? Do they only work with a "specialized" pump?

Also, don't plan on letting air out, all you get is slime out of the valve. I noticed this when trying to put them back in the box to return them to the store. I even held the valves upward and away from the rest of the tube. Nothing but slime came out.

Value Rating:1Overall Rating:1

Submitted by Deek Rivers a Cross Country Rider from Dallas
Date Reviewed: May 15, 2003
Favorite Trail:Johnson Branch
Duration Product Used:6 months
Price Paid: $6.00
Purchased At:LBS
Strengths:They hold air and stuff
Weaknesses:They don't seem to seal punctures well (if at all)
Bottom Line:So far, I've had 3 of these tubes fail to seal very small punctures. I've even tried rolling the tube around to get it to seal but they just keep leaking.

The Slime tubes I've used worked far better. A while back, a Slime tube almost managed to seal a pinch flat - not bad.
Value Rating:3Overall Rating:3

Submitted by John a Weekend Warrior from Tucson
Date Reviewed: March 28, 2003
Duration Product Used:3 months
Strengths:self sealing
Bike Setup:who cares
Bottom Line:These tubes and my left ankle took a dirct hit from several cholla bolts, resulting in at least 20 punctures. Goop leaked out of several of the punctures from both sites. I thought I had a sure flat, but they sealed right away. I have since ridden well over a hundred miles on them, including a 24hr desert ride. They are still holding up with only needing 20lb of air once a week. I have already bought another set of tubes, but am now wondering if I will ever need them. Try these tubes if you ride in the desert with cactus or sand burrs.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Ken a Cross Country Rider from Chandler, Az
Date Reviewed: January 6, 2003
Favorite Trail:Hawes Trail
Duration Product Used:6 months
Price Paid: $6.00
Purchased At:supergo
Strengths:Work better than standard tubes. The is very little weight penalty for having the liquid.
Weaknesses:When the tube gets more than one hole it has trouble sealing.
Similar Products Used:Blackburn Self sealing, slime, tube goo.
Bike Setup:Panaracer FireXC on a Fisher Sugar
Bottom Line:I'm somewhat unsure what to say. I have had to replace several Airlock tubes over the past six months or so. One day the LBS was out, so I bought the blackburn tube ($10!) with self sealing liquid. I've been riding on it for a month without a single flat. The airlocks don't make it that long. I think it may be that the airlocks liquid is just too runny. When is spews it really spews.
Value Rating:3Overall Rating:3

Submitted by Jeff a Weekend Warrior from Rome, GA USA
Date Reviewed: August 23, 2002
Favorite Trail:Berry College
Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
Price Paid: $8.00
Purchased At:Online
Strengths:The tubes worked exactly as advertised. I received a large puncture from a sharp rock while travling downhill. Not only did the tube not blow but it leaked slowly allowing me plenty of time to get to the bottom of the hill and re-inflate the tire. Re-inflating the tube was a snap, there was not any problem re-inflating the tube. Once re-inflated I was able to ride the bike as fast as I could pedal another two miles home.
Weaknesses:None observed.
Similar Products Used:None, this is the first tube of its kind I have tried.
Bike Setup:Thirteen year old Schwinn Frontier hard tail with low-end Shimano components, brand new Specialized MTB tires.
Bottom Line:I will buy two more of these tubes. I do not hesitate to recommend them.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:4

Submitted by Marty Moose a Cross Country Rider from Boise
Date Reviewed: June 20, 2002
Duration Product Used:2 Years
Price Paid: $6.00
Purchased At:LBS
Strengths:works
Weaknesses:too much goo
Similar Products Used:reg tubes
Bike Setup:homegrown fs, xt, judy with air englund, ad-10 rear
Bottom Line:I've used these for years and the only thing that stops them are pinch flats. I got sick and tired of trying to repair tubes so now I only use these. I've picked out literally hundreds of goatheads out of these tubes and they keep on working. I'll admit the weight is noticeable, but with these you don't need a pump or a spare tube. These are one of the most reliable parts of my bike. About the last thing I think of is getting a flat on a ride with these, and in fact these things last longer than my tires...
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Johnny a Cross Country Rider from Texas
Date Reviewed: October 20, 2001
Duration Product Used:1 Year
Price Paid: $10.00
Purchased At:LBS
Strengths:it seals holes
Weaknesses:heavy, the goo stuff gets all over the inside of your tires
Similar Products Used:regular tubes
Bike Setup:frame, wheels, etc
Bottom Line:These tubes do what they are supposed to do which is hold air and seal holes. I've only had to patch them twice in one year and that was because the hole was huge. I probably won't go with these tubes again because of their weight, but I'd recomend them still if you hate fixing flats.
Value Rating:4Overall Rating:4

Submitted by Jason a Weekend Warrior from CA
Date Reviewed: September 4, 2001
Duration Product Used:3 months
Price Paid: $8.00
Purchased At:LBS
Strengths:VERY durable
Self-sealing
Lots of sealing compound
Light for something so durable
Weaknesses:Maybe weight?
Seals rather slowly
Similar Products Used:Slime tubes, heavy duty tubes(these are over a pound per tube!!!!!!)
Bike Setup:XC bike. sun cr-18 rims. regular rim tape. panaracer fire xc pros
Bottom Line:Durability. I have gone over glass and thorns on almost 1 out of every 2 rides I do. These tubes get punctured all the time, but that good sealant stuff works really well. Problem is that now, after several months of severe riding, all the sealant is gone!!! So now my front tire is flat. I used to be able to pump up a flat tire with these tubes and the sealant would have had enough time to seal, but since I'm outta sealant, I need another tube. Still, one of the best durability tubes out there. The only one that comes close to puncture resistance are slime tubes or the heavy ones.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Jay a Cross Country Rider from Waco, TX, USA
Date Reviewed: August 17, 2001
Favorite Trail:Cameron Park
Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
Price Paid: $8.00
Purchased At:Specialized.com
Strengths:Seals your tires! Saves you money.
Weaknesses:Weight and it COULD seal faster.
Bike Setup:2001 Stuntjumper M4, Judy SL fork, XTR guts, Mavic 517 rims
Bottom Line:I was tired of getting flats nearly every day, and since these got better reviews than slime tubes, I decided to give them a try. The first day I used them, I got a huge thorn in my tire, and the tube got somewhat flat. I stopped, took the thorn out, and let the sealant do it's work. I then pumped it full of air and WOW! It worked! There was a little balance problem after that due to the sealant gumming up in that one area, but after about 5 minutes of riding the problem was gone. Towards the end of the ride, I must've run through a thorn patch and got about 10 thorns in each tire :( I took them all out, and pumped it full of air, and it worked again! I rode them the second day (yesterday) and it went through the whole ride without losing any air at all. I'm extremely happy with these tubes, and they have already paid for themselves in that I don't have to buy tubes anymore. And another good thing is that I don't have to carry a damn bag on my seat for a spare tube anymore! I highly recommend these tubes to anyone who is tired of getting flats.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Bish a Cross Country Rider from San Jose, CA USA
Date Reviewed: August 13, 2001
Favorite Trail:Downieville Downhill
Duration Product Used:6 months
Strengths:Stops some leaks
Weaknesses:The slimy goo inside. Poor construction.
Similar Products Used:Genuine Slime Tubes
Bike Setup:Specialized Stumpjumper M2, Custom-built
Bottom Line:These tires are cheap imitations of the original Slime Tubes. The first (and only) set I had stopped a few leaks, then they came apart at the seams and made a big mess inside my tires.
Value Rating:1Overall Rating:1

Submitted by Hud a from Ft. Worth, Tx
Date Reviewed: June 27, 2001
Duration Product Used:6 months
Price Paid: $9.00
Purchased At:LBS
Strengths:Seals well. Seals well. Seals well. Seals well.
Weaknesses:Slime can gum up the stem. Somewhat heavy, but who cares. Causes some wheel balance issues, but who cares.
Similar Products Used:Cheng Shin
Bike Setup:Bontranger Rims and Jones Tires
Bottom Line:I know that I've listed more weaknesses than actual strengths, but the biggest reason I love this tire is because it can stop a leak. I've had several tube punctures on the trail, but I haven't had one yet that this tube hasn't self sealed. The reason that I'm giving the tubes only four flamin' chilis is cause of its ability to gum up the stem (not all of the time, but it can happen); this can be irritating on the trail when trying to pump up a tube that has sprung a leak but sealed itself before going completely flat. I still recommend this tube however.
Value Rating:4Overall Rating:4

Submitted by Don a Cross Country Rider from Tucson AZ
Date Reviewed: May 2, 2001
Duration Product Used:6 months
Price Paid: $8.00
Purchased At:Full Cycle
Strengths:Not much.
Weaknesses:Couldn't seal small hole. I must have gotten ahold of a bad batch.
Similar Products Used:Slime, Bench Force
Bike Setup:Diamondback XR8
Bottom Line:Yes, I must have gotten a bad batch. Got a flat on a ride and found a huge hole in the tube. No problem, I pulled a new Airlock out and when I put a little air in the sealant came gushing out. It looked like a cum shot in a porn flick. I had sealant on my shorts, legs and, shoes. Well, after a 3 mile walk back to my car, I took it back to my LBS and they said "too bad" and I bought another one. Next day, out for a ride and on the second lap of a fun course, the new Airlock blew. Fortunately, the walk back to my car was much shorter this time but while I was walking back I decided to never to risk buying another Airlock. I like to ride and I like to hike but not at the same time.
Value Rating:1Overall Rating:1

Submitted by Dane Thomas a Cross Country Rider from Stockholm, Frozen North
Date Reviewed: February 27, 2001
Favorite Trail:whatever I'm on
Duration Product Used:More than 3 years
Price Paid: $10.00
Purchased At:LBS
Strengths:Peace of mind. The feeling that carrying a patch kit and a pump makes you overprepared. Major reduction in tire-based interruptions while riding.
Weaknesses:They are heavy and adversely affect wheel balance. No threading on the valve stem so they can not be locked in position on the rim.
Similar Products Used:Cheng Shin, Regular Specialized, Air-B (what a joke!)
Bike Setup:Ancient beater
Bottom Line:I would recommend these for anybody who does not enjoy patching/swapping tubes (have I left anybody out?) There are lighter tubes out there, and there are tubeless alternatives that may help with pinch flats, but I have yet to use a product that so completely eliminates one of the major time-wasting pain in the ass activities that so many cyclists have come to accept as a normal part of riding. Sure they are heavy, and even though the balance problem is noticable on the stand the only time it became noticable on the bike was above 40 mph. Riding around here in Stockholm in below-freezing temperatures has caused me to wonder about the freezing point of the sealant, but I have not had any pressure loss episodes, so this remains a mystery. After many years of trouble-free use I finally had a presta valve stick in the closed position on one of these. I can't find a Specialized distributor here, so I am trying out a Wrench Force self sealing tube as a replacement. I am fully prepared to be disappointed, the air-locks are a hard act to follow!
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by DulceBuzz a Cross Country Rider from Chula Vista
Date Reviewed: February 8, 2001
Favorite Trail:Sweetwater trail
Duration Product Used:1 Year
Price Paid: $8.00
Purchased At:CycleSport
Strengths:What can I say... Confidence when you ride!!!!
Weaknesses:Weight?!!! I'm no weight weenie
Similar Products Used:why did I ever use anything else?
Bike Setup:2000 Gary Fisher Big Sur
Bottom Line:Probably the best tube you could put on your bike. I ride street and trails. Run into lots of glass and crap on the road, and I'm a fairly heavy rider at 195 lbs. No problem with this tube. I use a semi slick on the back, and before I used these tubes, flat city. Now I don't even think about it.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Bill a from Douglas, Arizona
Date Reviewed: January 14, 2001
Duration Product Used:More than 3 years
Strengths:Best damn tube on the market
Bike Setup:1998 Diamondback F/S
1996 Schwinn hardtail
Bottom Line:Mine came with an unlimited warranty, don't know if Specialized still features that, because I've never had to use it. I have two of these tubes that are over 3 years old now, punctured many times, ridden them on two different bikes & they're still in good shape, still hold air. Well worth the $$ & weight if you live in thorn country. I never take a pump or patch kit on 2hour or shorter rides now - no need...
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Rico a Cross Country Rider from Angwin, CA
Date Reviewed: November 5, 2000
Favorite Trail:Palisades
Duration Product Used:More than 3 years
Price Paid: $8.00
Purchased At:LBS
Strengths:They've lasted me forever. Hold air for months even when full of wholes.
Weaknesses:Heavier weight than regular tubes about 100g per tube.
Similar Products Used:Generic latex tubes, ultra-light... can't remember them all.
Bike Setup:'92 Litespeed with Ti components, RockShox Indy.
Bottom Line:I first purchased these tubes after a friend and I were riding and hit the first patch of goathead thorns we had ever encountered in our lives. We both had 12 to 14 holes in each tube, our tires went flat at the same instant. The next day we went out and purchased Airlock tubes which in those days had a 6 month replacement guarantee. Immediately we rode to the same trail and rode through the same patch of goathead thorns. Nothing happened. Viva la Airlock tubes. Recently an Airlock tube with over 4 years of life in it gave up the ghost. When I took it out and examined it closely, there were more than 19 holes in it. 19 holes!! And even at that point I really only had to pump it up 10 lbs or so every 3 weeks. Better than a brand new regular tube. That's why I chose to use them on the new Santa Cruz Superlight I built up recently. Yes, it adds rolling resistance in the most critical part of the bike, but whenever I see those fields of star thistles before me, I can grin and charge ahead while my friends tremble and hold back. Small price to pay for peace of mind. However they WILL NOT seal a serious 1 inch long snake bite flat. That is too much.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Gerardo Paje a Cross Country Rider from San Diego, CA, U.S.
Date Reviewed: September 8, 2000
Favorite Trail:Bonita Fire Roads/Riverbottom
Duration Product Used:1 Year
Price Paid: $8.00
Purchased At:Mission Cycles
Strengths:They work great, absolutely the best $8.00 bucks you can spend for anything on a mountain bike. I used to get flats about once every three weeks, I haven't had one for over a year every since I purchased these tubes! Also pressure run-down has almost dissappeared.
Weaknesses:A bit heavy, and when new, they don't balance as well due to the amount of inner sealant.
Similar Products Used:Normal Tubes
Bike Setup:2000 Gary Fisher Hardtail w/ lots of Bontrager.
Bottom Line:You cannot go wrong with these tubes. I only wish I had know of their existance sooner. Their moderately heavier weight is nothing compared to the piece of mind of using them(I stopped carrying the spare tube in my Camelbak). Also, as a side benefit, my tire pressure only goes down about 3 psi. a week, and that's with hard daily trail riding.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Scott a Cross Country Rider from Hickory Creek TX USA
Date Reviewed: August 13, 2000
Favorite Trail:Off the Lip, Rocky Hills
Duration Product Used:1 Year
Strengths:It works Great.
Weaknesses:A little heavy but it works making it worth the weight.
Bike Setup:Specialized FSR Stump Pro. XTR Crank, brakes, levers. Hutchinson Aligator 2.0 F/R, and Python 2.0 F/R.
Bottom Line:I put 1400 miles on one pair and they are still running strong. On the other rims I've put about 400 miles and I have not had a Single Flat. Sure I pulled some Big A** thorns out of them, but once you pump some air in them and give them a spin they are fine. My stems have been problem free too. I laugh at people who are fixing flats when there is a product out there that works this well. And I am not a huge fun of Specialized after-marked product, but this one is great.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Garth Pulkkinen a Cross Country Rider from Houston, TX USA
Date Reviewed: July 27, 2000
Favorite Trail:Memorial Park
Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
Strengths:Supposedly better than pre-slimed Slime tubes.
Weaknesses:Doesn't work. It wouldn't seal a 1/8" hole, so I had to change the tube on the trail- what a mess! I couldn't very well litter, so now my Camelback is full of slimy spunk! What a let-down!
Bike Setup:Specialized Rockhopper w/all XT components.
Bottom Line:I would not recommend it. I'm pretty big- 240lbs, but that technically should not have anything to do with the fact the hole wouldn't seal. Back to the regular tubes and pit stop changes.
Value Rating:1Overall Rating:1

Submitted by Chris Lee a Weekend Warrior from Sylmar, Ca. U.S.A.
Date Reviewed: July 12, 2000
Favorite Trail:Oat Mtn.
Duration Product Used:Less than 1 month
Strengths:Durability, Air Lock
Weaknesses:wieght/balance, valve stem
Similar Products Used:WTB, Cheng Shin
Bike Setup:GT XCR-3000, HVY DTY Springs, Race Face Cranks
Bottom Line:These tubes are well worth the money, I was at first a bit upset that the valve stems come out with little effort. this made me a little cautious, but the lbs reassured me it was cool, so a few trail rides, and mad airs later..... these tubes rock, I wiegh 190 lbs, and these pupps held full air, even after a cupla 2 footers, and few jumps!!
I had to yank a few Lodged Goatheads, and the sealant went to work immediatley!! lost minimal air, and kept going!!!, good work specialized!!!
Value Rating:4Overall Rating:4

Submitted by Iceman a Cross-Country Rider from Stockton, CA
Date Reviewed: November 1, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Rockville
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
Work good after you pull the thorns out, great warranty
Weaknesses:
Very heavy, cause tire balance problems
Similar Products Used:
Spin Skins (JUNK)
Bike Setup:
C-dale SV1000
Bottom Line:I use these for my in town wheelset, since I live in thorn central. Nothin else works, this is the only way to go unless you want a couple flats per ride. Sure their heavy as hell, but they do work. I got my 1st flat on them today (dont know why?), so I took the tube back to the shop & they gave me a new one no questions asked...I guess mine just ran out of sealer? I would estimate about 1000 miles on that tube with at least 2-300 thorns removed from it. Overall 4 tires, 5 if they were balanced better & lighter
Overall Rating:4

Submitted by Steve Etheridge a Cross-Country Rider from Lancaster CA
Date Reviewed: October 8, 1999
Favorite Trail:
any
Duration Product Used:
more than 3 years
Strengths:
NEVER had a flat. Once had a 1/16 inch stick thru tire and tube and they sealed around it!
Weaknesses:
Weight
Similar Products Used:
Spin Skins and Super-light tubes.
Bike Setup:
Santa Cruz Superlight
Bottom Line:They're kind of heavy but never flat. Spin-skins work with some tires and make some completely off balance. For those tires use the Air Locks!
Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Papewayo a Weekend Warrior from Brooklyn, NY
Date Reviewed: October 8, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Various
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
No flats yet. Strong valve.
Weaknesses:
Slightly heavy
Similar Products Used:
Cheng Shin (sp?), no name
Bike Setup:
Specialized S-Works FSR, Proflex Animal
Bottom Line:I ride on trails and on city streets. Lots of glass on city streets and, unfortunately, the nearby trails also. I'm a 200+ pounder which punishes the bike, Not a single flat yet.
Good work Specalized!
Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Jim a Cross-Country Rider from Boise, Idaho
Date Reviewed: September 16, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Foothills
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
One flat in 2-3 years
Weaknesses:
weight
Similar Products Used:
OEM tubes
Bike Setup:
Proflex 957
Bottom Line:I have gone with these because I have had one flat that I can remember ever since I've been using them. I use them in my road bike due to goat heads being on the roads here as well. I guess if something works for you, you stick with it. These have been near perfect. I don't think about flats - but still carry the patches anyway.
Overall Rating:5






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