OK, I tried making some. And they don't stretch worth beans.

Do they need to be softened with something? Worked out before using? Cut on bias? Or are there different grades of bicycle inner tube?

Behold, I'm a tard. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

go with surgical tubing instead. It has more uses, like making a sling bow, tourniquet, quick lash of some gear, sucking water out of a hollow, your canteen as you walk, or out of a container that's under a solar still.

The first ones I tried to make didn't turn out well either. I think the tubes were from a mountain bike or something. They were considerably thicker along one edge than the other, which might be a good thing for biking but isn't so good for the ranger bands. The next ones I made were from a regular 10 speed tube. I just bought it at Walmart for about $3.00 and I've still got plenty left. They are very useful items. I now have them stashed all over the place.

Regards, Vince

AH HA!

I used an old one from a mountain bike. That's what I did wrong.

Although 3 bucks isn't a hardship - you can usually get them for free. I go to REI and talk to the Bike guys, and they're almost always happy to give me the ruined ones for free.

Tubes made for competition bikes are usually made of thinner rubber. Tubes for BMX bikes are pretty thin and made to last the distance around the track, mountain bikes need to standup to longer rides through rough terrain.

I've had no trouble with cheaper innertubes. However, I've pretty much stopped using "ranger band" configurations in favor of cutting multiple 3/4" x 18" strips of tube. These ties have been useful in so many situations that almost every pouch and pocket of my outdoor gear has one or two in them.