by Phugoid » Mon Sep 27, 2010 2:20 pm
Always stretch the rubber, firstly you get more winds in, secondly it stops knots from forming too easily, the knots don't do any harm per se, they can cause a lot of vibration though as the rubber flails around when it unwinds.
I've never used a blast tube, unless you're into serious competition and really piling on the winds then there's no need as long as you lube properly and look out for signs of tears or cuts....
Andrew