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Is there a 'best' innertube?

Old 05-20-09, 10:18 AM
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Is there a 'best' innertube?

I was all set to go to work when I noticed the rear tire was soft. When I pulled the pump nozzle off, the valve came with it.

Is there a brand you like better, or they pretty much the same where longevity is concerned?
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Old 05-20-09, 10:27 AM
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I like Michelin.

But ... like any thread using the word "best ...."
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Old 05-20-09, 10:30 AM
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my conti tubes seem to be holding up well enough.
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Old 05-20-09, 10:52 AM
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I have not heard that any brand of Presta tube has a more hearty valve mechanism. I use whatever is on hand and affordable. I am just careful to only mount/dismount the chuck with the stem in 12:00 or 6:00 postion. That way I am certain that I pull straight up or down when mounting/removing the chuck. Lateral pulling can misalign the valve locking mechanism. I learned that one the hard way at the start of an event. Ready to go. All I have to do is top off tire pressure. I pull out the floor pump. Top off the tire to 110psi. Remove the chuck, and....


PSSSSSSSssssssssssssss..............

Bummer!

I have not had the problem since that day. Maybe the bike gods are just merciful to me.
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Old 05-20-09, 10:55 AM
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aside from the obvious 'deburr the holes' having a smooth, unthreaded presta valve really helps the longevity of the tubes at the valve stem base.
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Old 05-20-09, 11:09 AM
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Torelli Extra Light.
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Old 05-20-09, 11:40 AM
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Originally Posted by AEO
aside from the obvious 'deburr the holes' having a smooth, unthreaded presta valve really helps the longevity of the tubes at the valve stem base.
They make unthreaded? Who makes 'me and where can you get them?
Thanks.

I've had one flat on my 3 month old Sequoia and it was from a split at the base of the valve stem.
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Old 05-20-09, 11:47 AM
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I have always prefered Maxxis Tubes - I run the Ultra lights and save about 100 grams or so for each wheel - on my mountain bike and my 29er.

Last edited by cbchess; 05-21-09 at 09:18 AM.
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Old 05-20-09, 11:52 AM
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Seems like we have consensus
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Old 05-20-09, 11:53 AM
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I have had good luck with Conti's and bad luck with Forte(Performance house brand) and Kenda.
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Old 05-20-09, 11:55 AM
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I disagree with any strong preference. In my many years of experience, I have not run across an inferior or superior inner tube. They're all equivalent.

I used to prefer tubes with removable metal valves. I don't know if they're available any more. Then I found out that they don't hold up as well as tubes with the valves molded in!
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Old 05-20-09, 11:56 AM
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Originally Posted by sknhgy
They make unthreaded? Who makes 'me and where can you get them?
Thanks.

I've had one flat on my 3 month old Sequoia and it was from a split at the base of the valve stem.
kenda makes a completely unthreaded presta tube.
michelin has a ribbed tip, but otherwise unthreaded presta tube.

I'm sure there are others.
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Old 05-20-09, 12:01 PM
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Originally Posted by AEO
kenda makes a completely unthreaded presta tube.
michelin has a ribbed tip, but otherwise unthreaded presta tube.

I'm sure there are others.
The problem with completely unthreaded is you can't use some CO2 devices.
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Old 05-20-09, 12:11 PM
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yep, that and if you get a bit of dirt or oil on the stem, the pump chuck will pop off at around 90psi.
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Old 05-20-09, 12:55 PM
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I just make certain that that lock nut on the threaded stem is not snugly fixed to the rim. It only serves to give you something to press the chuck against when you have no air pressure, as already commented about using some CO2 guns.
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Old 05-20-09, 01:09 PM
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The only thing that I care about with tube is that they have a fully threaded stem. The smooth ones are crap and won't work easily with my pumps, presta adapter or my rim adapter. Why do they even make the ones with no threads?
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Old 05-20-09, 01:16 PM
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My favorite is Michelin Ultra Lite. The stem is unthreaded and the pump chuck slides on and off easier which extends the life of the pump chuck "O" ring. No problems with CO2.

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Old 05-20-09, 01:27 PM
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I never use the locknut on the valve stem. I don't use valve caps, either.
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Old 05-20-09, 03:32 PM
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+1 for bad luck with Kenda tubes (Kenda anything in my opinion...especially the omnipresent Kontender tires).

I've heard though that Kenda makes lots of private label tubes, so just because it doesn't say "Kenda" on the box doesn't mean you've avoided their pervasive mediocrity. Stick with tubes from Continental and Michelin and other tire brands.
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Old 05-20-09, 03:41 PM
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breaking off the valve is user error, not faulty tube. Minipumps are crapola and cause as many flats as they fix.
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Old 05-20-09, 03:42 PM
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The MAJORITY of flat tires I've had in the past five years have been from an inner tube splitting on a seam, or a valve splitting at the base, or a valve coming loose when adding air. NONE of those problems have occurred when I use Continental inner tubes. But, Continental tubes are hard to find. Many bike shops won't carry Continental tubes, because they cost $1 more than generic tubes. Me? I will pay $1 to avoid a flat tire.
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Old 05-20-09, 03:42 PM
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Originally Posted by LarDasse74
breaking off the valve is user error, not faulty tube. Minipumps are crapola and cause as many flats as they fix.
That is Not true of mini pumps.
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Old 05-20-09, 04:50 PM
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Do you inflate with one of the small pumps that doesn't have a rubber hose to go to the valve stem? If you do they work the valve back and forth a lot and wear out the place where the valve joins the tube. A floor pump with a hose is easier on that part.
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Old 05-20-09, 07:29 PM
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Originally Posted by LarDasse74
breaking off the valve is user error, not faulty tube. Minipumps are crapola and cause as many flats as they fix.
Then how's come it don't happen with schrader valves? I've used schrader valves for the last 50 years and have never broken off a valve stem. My first bike with presta valves and guess what happens? If nothing else, the schrader design is more robust.
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Old 05-20-09, 07:45 PM
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you can always install a presta to schrader adapter and not have to worry about ripping off your valves.
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