Building - PTFE chain tube or similar

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PTFE chain tube or similar

Printed From: BHPC Forum
Category: Public: Open to anyone
Forum Name: Building
Forum Description: Anything to do with building HPVs
URL: https://forum.bhpc.org.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=7779
Printed Date: 26 March 2026 at 11:53pm
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Topic: PTFE chain tube or similar

Posted By: NigelSlee
Subject: PTFE chain tube or similar
Date Posted: 22 March 2025 at 2:37pm

I need to replace tubing on a couple of bikes. I have tried the site search and also tried google and found a few options but not sure if I'm looking for the right stuff. Best thin wall stuff was from a ptfe tube shop in Netherlands 14mm / 12mm and 15mm / 13mm. It looks quite high spec and translucent / white when I'd prefer black.

Any suggestions for a UK supplier?

Any other tips for straightening and fitting welcome. This would make a useful article for the magazine - or maybe there is one in the archive?

Replies:

Posted By: melle
Date Posted: 23 March 2025 at 12:44pm

I've used https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/333311577882" rel="nofollow - this black 13.6mm ID LDPE irrigation pipe on one of my Barons. Cheap as chips (I bought 10m for just over a tenner delivered) and works a treat. I've straightened the tubes and slightly opened up the ends with a heat gun.

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Optima Stinger | 2x Baron

Posted By: NigelSlee
Date Posted: 23 March 2025 at 12:46pm

Thanks Melle! I'll happily give that a try.

Posted By: homebrew
Date Posted: 23 May 2025 at 8:52pm

is this tube fairly rigid

cheers

-------------
oke-ja x2

helium frog
self built swb
and counting

Posted By: melle
Date Posted: 24 May 2025 at 11:00am

My best classification would be "fairly rigid yet pliable enough". It's not as rigid as plastic conduit, and certainly not as floppy as garden hose either.

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Optima Stinger | 2x Baron

Posted By: NigelSlee
Date Posted: 05 June 2025 at 8:58pm

It seems perfect for my needs and loads left for another couple of bikes. Flared tube ends with some heat and a piece of wood.

Posted By: homebrew
Date Posted: 05 June 2025 at 9:08pm

i'll be looking into that tube in the near future seems ideal.i borrowed the tubes off my spare OKE-JA for my latest build

-------------
oke-ja x2

helium frog
self built swb
and counting

Posted By: LWaB
Date Posted: 27 December 2025 at 8:58pm

I bought some cheap 13/15mm PTFE tubing from China for the Young Lady’s GT3. Some heat allowed me to straighten it and flare the ends. After a year of intensive use in all weathers, the tubing is wearing where it touches the corner of the chain. I have just ordered 3m of 14/16mm PTFE tubing for under 20GBP, noticeably less than from Germany. Hopefully the larger diameter means I don’t have to have perfect alignment, as the smaller tubing needed.