Touring - Good tubes for touring?

Hi, I would like recommendations for tubes for touring bicycles. I.e. I'd like recommendations for tubes that are pinch-flat proof probably about 1.5mm thick or so. I can't seem to find a consistently good brand. They either are crap <.9mm or are "thorn-proof" 2.2mm thick which is a little overkill. Links to something in between would be nice.

Thanks.

If you are touring.... and using a touring tire.... you should never
get a pinch flat. If you are, get a larger tire. It will need less pressure
and you will get a better ride, fewer flats, and for all practical purposes no
pinch flats.

Get these, a bit expansive, but, over 8000kms and NO flats.
http://schwalbetires.com/bike_tires/road_tires/flatless/marathon_plus_details

I'm interested in good tubes about 1.5mm thick, not getting a tires that might as well be solid rubber. My problem is with pinch flats, not punctures. All the advice here says to get marathons or armadillos and it always assumes the problem is puncture flats. But I don't want to sacrifice a smooth ride and get a ridiculuously overkill tire. I want to get tubes that don't suck but as I said, they either make them racing thin or ridiculously attempt thorn proofedness. I want something reasonable, about 1.5mm thickness. Please focus on tubes!!!!!

I'm interested in good tubes about 1.5mm thick, not getting a tires that might as well be solid rubber. My problem is with pinch flats, not punctures. All the advice here says to get marathons or armadillos and it always assumes the problem is puncture flats. But I don't want to sacrifice a smooth ride and get a ridiculuously overkill tire. I want to get tubes that don't suck but as I said, they either make them racing thin or ridiculously attempt thorn proofedness. I want something reasonable, about 1.5mm thickness. Please focus on tubes!!!!!

Pinch flats are caused by insufficient air pressure for the size of the tire and the weight it supports. The solution is not to get a thicker tube because if you are pinch flatting you are bottoming out the rim against the sidewall of the tire. You need to either increase the air pressure or use wider tires.

The problem is if you are consistently getting pinch flats you are not running enough air in your tires. As someone posted above if you want to run lower pressure in your tires get a larger volume tire to avoid pinch flats.

If you are really stuck on getting a 1.5mm tube then grab some calipers and go down to the biggest LBS in your area and measure all the tubes they have until you locate the ones that are just the right thickness.

FWIW I can only recall getting one pinch flat in the last 6years and that was from hitting a square curb at high speed.

Exactly, your not running enough air pressure for the weight your carrying. Pinch flats are only caused by too low of PSI for the weight your carrying.

Now if your looking for a different tube that might help prevent flats from obtrusions then look at these: http://www.specialized.com/bc/ibeCSrdSrchResults.jsp?page_no=&suppress_log=N&previous_criteria=&search_criteria=tubes&searchGo.x=19&searchGo.y=14

Specialized has a tube for every occassion and their very well made tubes. I use the Turbo racing tube which for some reason I could not find in their list of tubes (still being made?) but I can buy them from the LBS, but you want something more beefy then that.

Well thanks for a substantive recommendation. The thing is, I'm so fat that they don't make tubes that can withstand the PSI I would require. So I have to find better tubes. :D

Well thanks for a substantive recommendation. The thing is, I'm so fat that they don't make tubes that can withstand the PSI I would require. So I have to find better tubes. :D

Tubes are not designed to rigidly support any weight. Also, they can expand a whole lot. Coming into contact with the inner wall of the tire and not being able to expand is what causes the increase in PSI. This volume of air, which is now somewhat rigid, is what supports the weight. You need higher PSI in narrower tires because the volume isn't there. With wider tires there's a larger volume of air, so you need less PSI. Basically, in a simple world, the number of air molecules in a 23mm tire @ 120 PSI would be very close to the number in a 35mm tire running at say 70 PSI. Wow, I've been studying way too hard for my P.E. test.

Point is, if you can, get a wider tire. What type of bike are you riding? What size tires do you use? Do you check the tire pressure at least once a week?

Oh, and it seems that tube manufacturers give up on the weight thing with tubes made for wider tires and these seem to be thicker. I always go w/ Bontrager or Specialized. Depends on which LBS I feel like going to.

Look, you are barking up the wrong tree, but I think you need
to go up it to see for yourself.

Fine.

Specialized makes the only extra-tough tubes worth bothering with IMHO.
There is no reason to get pinch flats, ever, also IMHO. I am the charter member of Whales on Wheels and I haven't had a pinch flat since I gave up on 23c tires.

It would have been helpful if you had provided more info.

The user handle says all :rolleyes:

Pump up your tyres irrespective of the tubes you currently use. Look on the sidewall of the tyre and there should be a range of recommended pressures. If you are as fat as you say you are, you won't loose the cushy ride even at the upper range of pressure. No tube is designed to prevent pinch flats.

Signed: bugusnot with ill-formed assertions verging on the stupid.

Geez, guys, tone it down a little. Just because he doesn't completely understand within 2 or 3 posts doesn't mean you have to jump down his throat. This person came here for help. be a little more supportive.

Air is for losers!...:eek: :D :eek:

You could try these foam airless tire inserts. Forget about pinch flats.....and speeds over 16mph...:D

http://www.airfreetires.com/

I would be more concern about the tire than the tube. Any debris that can penetrate the tread will no doubt damage the tube, any tube.

I am more concerned about the tube right now, thanks. Please keep posting links to nice 1mm-2mm thick tubes. Thanks.