Touring - 26" Tube Recommendations

I've been using some Vittoria 26" (1.5 to 2.0 I think) tubes and have had poor luck with them. Walls seem thin and leak air. Have you found any tubes you think worth recommending?

Gees, I just buy 'em at the local department store, $1.99 - $2.50 apiece. Fred Meyers, Joe's Sports, K-Mart, whatever. Never had a defective tube -- after all, there's not much in the way of technological development in butyl tubes.

Might not work for Presta. It's just one benefit in using Schrader valves, IMO.

-- Mark

I second the cheap tube recommendation.

Expensive tubes are expensive because they are lighter. Heavier tubes will probably retain air better.

Due to the thinner tube and lower volume, it's normal for bike tires to leak down a bit over a couple of days. That isn't a tube defect, just a way of life. The normal solution is just check the air every time you go ride.

If they're going plumb flat overnight, you've probably got a sticker that you haven't found. Pull the tube out, inflate it, hold it under water in the sink, look for a tiny trail of bubbles.

You can buy "heavy duty" tubes that are super thick (and also super heavy). They are intended to avoid flats from pointy objects, not from regular leakdown.

I've used tubes from the local bike shop, from REI, and from Walmart, and haven't noticed any difference across the brands in how fast they leak down.

Due to the thinner tube and lower volume, it's normal for bike tires to leak down a bit over a couple of days. That isn't a tube defect, just a way of life. The normal solution is just check the air every time you go ride.

Both tubes have developed area, about 3" long and 1" wide, in which I can feel air leaking - tube is thin with many small holes; this is not normal and these are only tubes I've experienced like this. Perhaps I received a defective batch of Vittoria tubes, perhaps this is commonplace with this make, I don't know.

Heavier tubes are not necessarily less porous. My cheapo ~190g Nashbar 26x1.5"-2.0" have to be reinflated before every ride. 100psi decreases to 80psi after 20-50 miles and 24hrs.

My all time favorites were Performance Lunar lights. Thin wall, light weight, held air pretty good, with no apparent increased incident of f l _ t s.

Then some marketing manager genius started specing them with 50-60mm presta valve, I guess so all the extra brass would totally negate the rubber weight savings (for the 26" aero rim market?). You can buy them today with the extra long stems only. But none in 34mm. Dunno who makes them. Maxxis makes some that are claimed to be light, but I have no personal experience with them.

Manufacturers routinely exaggerate weight specs. I have weighed many camping, BP and cycling items - 95% weigh significantly more than claimed !

I'm looking for 26x1.25-1.75" presta, 34mm valve, light weight, good quality, low price. Hard to find. Conti has some that are close.

I've been using some Vittoria 26" (1.5 to 2.0 I think) tubes and have had poor luck with them. Walls seem thin and leak air. Have you found any tubes you think worth recommending?

So far, for tubes with schrader valves I use cheapo tubes and I have nothing to complain.

I use Schwalbe. Had a bike in the garage all winter and it was good to go in the spring. Maybe 5lb pressure loss.