Bahnzo

Not sure where best to ask this, so I thought I'd ask it here instead of risking the snarkyness of the road bike forum.

I got a new bike over new year, and need some 700c tubes. My LBS has Specialized, but they are $8/ea, which seems excessive. I can get Bell tubes for $4.50 at the local Walmart (when they are in stock). Side by side, I really don't see any difference. Anyone care to comment on any quality difference? I mean they are tubes, and I'm not racing, I don't care if there's a 100g weight difference, etc. I just want a reasonable quality tube that isn't overpriced.

As much as I like to support my LBS, paying almost 2x for something drives me away.

treal512

I can't answer your quality question, but you can find tube bundles on eBay that run for great prices.

ie. https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw...resta&_sacat=0

Fahrenheit531 

On the one hand, eight bucks for a tube that will last me ___ years doesn't seem all that pricey to me.
On the other hand, the shorter (maybe) lifespan of a cheap tube doesn't bother me when replacement labor is minimal.

I figure it's six of one, a half dozen of the other, so I make my buying decision based on who I'd rather give my dollars. LBS every time.

Lascauxcaveman 

Depends a lot on how many thorns and shards of glass you run over. Tires and inflation pressures matter a great deal here, too. I've got some tires (not always the famous-name, well regarded brands) that seem to never get a flat, and others that I'm futzing with on a regular basis. I subject my roadie tires to more abuse (gravel roads) than most people here, I suspect.

Otherwise, a weight weenie would do well to find the lightest tube s/he could live with and damn the cost.

Fahrenheit531 

Maybe I've just been lucky so far, still being only one season into the bike game. I'll bring this thread back from the dead in 2016 and let you know if I've revised my opinion.

Bahnzo

See...that's what I'm trying to find out. Sure, if a tube lasts me X years but costs me twice as much than a tube that costs me X/2...then it's a wash. I'd love to give my money to the LBS, but I also have a problem with a place that possibly charges 2x for tubes that don't really need to cost that.

What I want to know, is does a brand name, Specialized tube really merit the extra cost?

Zieleman

Just order some Conti's or whatever at your LBS, cause Specialized put the extra costs where you don't want it to end up:
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...tt-Specialized

okane

My last 2 flats were so bad, the tire cords were cut. Tube quality would not have mattered. My local 1 man operation bike shop gives me a deep discount on tubes as I buy a lot of stuff from him, but they are available elsewhere for a good price with free shipping if you meet the $100 minimum (easy to do in my case).

https://www.niagaracycle.com/categori.../pv-700c-tubes

StanSeven

This was posted many times on the road forum. The general consensus is tube quality doesn't vary much at all. All are produced at the same limited number of foreign sources. About the only differences in presta are stem length and threaded versus smooth stems. Of course there are exceptions with some people swearing that one brand are absolutely the best. There's also some data showing latex tubes provide reduced rolling resistance but the downside is they lose a measurable amount of air daily.

The bottom line seems to be buy whatever is the cheapest at the time.

Fahrenheit531 

My point isn't so much whether or not the tube merits the extra cost. Mine is does the savings merit giving your money to the box store behemoth instead of the LBS? Their higher price reflects the fact that they can't sell upteen million Chinese-made widgets to make up for the cut-rate price on tubes, not some deliberate attempt to bilk you out of your three or four bucks. They are, by definition, a local bike shop, so why not support them when you can? (I'm gonna resist the urge to climb upon my soapbox... my response here is bordering on politics already, so I'll stop here and hope the rest can be inferred from what I've already typed.)

ColonelJLloyd 

I don't shop at Wal-Mart. I buy Q-Tubes from my LBS for $6/ea. I've had the owner order 10 Q-Tubes Superlight tubes and he did so along with the rest of his order and gave me a small quantity discount. When I get a flat, I yank the tube and hang it in the basement. When I feel up to it, I sit and patch a half dozen tubes, test them and fold them back up with a rubber band they're ready for service.

In short, buy the tubes from your LBS or order a dozen online.

lostarchitect 

I haven't noticed more expensive tubes lasting longer than less expensive ones. They all seem to last... Well, a very long time, if you're willing to patch them.

Sixty Fiver

I favour Schwalbe tubes... they really are very well made.

Kenda tubes are a good consumer grade tube.

SJX426 

I had a failure on a Specialized tube straight out of the box, boy was I pissed! I don't think the quality varies that much. I suspect there are a limited suppliers that every one uses.

niuoka

I use the Michelin airstops. And if you find them on sale you can get them for about 5 bucks a tube. They are thicker than most tubes, which to weight watchers means heavier. Of course theory is, thicker, less likely to get a flat. Have been using airstops for over a 1k miles and no issues.

last set I bought off flea bay I paid less than 5 bucks each shipped, that was two weeks ago, lots of good prices this time of year on flea bay

RobbieTunes

I look more at valve length and get the lighter ones if they're not prohibitively more expensive.
Always at LBS, because I had some Bontragers go bad and they stood behind them.

I buy almost all my disposables (cable, housing, tubes, lube, etc) at LBS.
I'll never buy a new bike, but they help me when they can and that's important.

repechage

Stem length and if the stem is threaded or not are more important than price. I shy away from S Brand too. Continental, Panaracer, Michelin all are decent. I have found the LBS does not seem to carry one brand consistently.

Matariki

I've been using Q-tubes lately. I was using Kendas but had two in the last year that split at the seams when first inflated. My most reliable tubes are my old ones that are close to 20 years old with multiple patches. I carry them for spares, but installed them last year when I had a few flats and they are working like a champ. They're Hutchinson I think

WNG

I've noticed a drop in quality or quality control over the recent years and have basic to Continental lightweight tubes fail. Lots of tube/valve stem mold failures.
Pricepoint.com has specials sometimes of 5 tubes for $10. Same as Q tubes brand. That's the best deal I've found.

And I also stay away from Specialized tubes and other products.

If I have a LBS that doesn't overcharge on such commodity items, I'd give them the business on tubes, cables, etc. I've found some that wanted $12 for a basic 700C road tube.