Does anyone use these tubes and do they work?
Is it worth paying the extra 5 quid to bung 'em on me winter bike?

If you mean the Specialized Slime type tubes then they're not bad. A bit of extra weight so I only have them on the tandem but seem to be okay - although carrying a pump is still a good idea and if you're getting flats due to pinch punctures then forget it. I guess it depends how often you get punctures - if you ride on particularly thorny areas then yeah do it (a mate pulled eight thorns out a few months after getting some), but I know that the Specialized tubes are a lot better than the Trek (Wrench Force) ones.

And if you manage to explode one as I know a LBS mechanic who did as the tube burst out, unseating the tyre from the rim, you get comedy trouser stains as well. What more could you want?!

i have used the wrench force ones and hey are topps
weigh less than most of it's type and does exactly what it says on the packet.

I find a decent set of puncture resistant tires work much better than slime tubes or similar...Specialized do some Armadillo tires which are way tough, I ride 100 miles a week in London through some very grotty streets (sunday mornings..smashed beer bottles everywhere) and haven't had a puncture in 11 months. I'm not sure if you can get armadillo casing for XC tires, I'm using Hemisphere semi-slicks for city riding.

duro striker/trooper 2.1" tyres. my last xc tyres could ride over broken bottles, i only ever had a pinch flat on a smashed kerb, never had a normal puncture.

helped a lad at a jump site who had a slime tube inside his tioga 2.3 dh. it had exploded slime all over the place. what a messy job that was!!!

They a load of bull shit. They lose loads of air (even when they are 'sealed'), and you get loads of gunk on the inside of your tyres. Try Continental Latex instead. They are suberb. Wheelbase have them cheap.

I've used Specialized and Slime tubes (and still do). I wouldn't consider venturing out onto the bridleways round here without them! I've got back from a 30 mile ride and pulled 4 three quarter inch thorns from my front wheel and it's still sealed itself.

As for when you're out on the trail and notice a branch attached to your tyre - pull it off, spin the wheel - sorted.

If you loose a bit of air so what? A quick top up pump is far easier than a full repair.

Keep on riding and leave the repairs 'til your home. Self sealing tubes are ace!!

i used to get punctures say every two rides but with my gel tubes i havent had a single puncture for 4 months!

Ridden with Slime tubes on the cross bike. They still pinch flat, so not much cop.

Don't buy the bottled stuff and squirt it in yourself. Not worth the mess and fuss with valves.

Also, the slime seems to settle at the lowest point of the tube, not spreading out even when moving. Can cause some strange ride characteristics from the wheels.

Slime tubes on a cross bike???!!!!