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650b tube on a 700c wheel?

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650b tube on a 700c wheel?

Old 08-12-13, 12:30 PM
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650b tube on a 700c wheel?

Sometimes your just not meant to have a good ride. Yesterday everything conspired against us in fixing a flat. Flatted about 9 miles from the house on the start of 50 mile ride.

The hole was a split on the seam on the underside of the innertube, so failure number one was a manufactruing defect.

Pulled out a tube, and found I'd put a 650mm tube ( from my daughter's bike) in the bag. Tried it anyway. Worked for about 100 yards until the tire unseated, and exploded. Not sure if this is just intrinsic in trying to use a 650 tube on a 700c rim. I thought I'd checked closely enough to insure the tube was seated under the tire bead. Apparently not. Failure No. 2 my stupidity.

So, I patched the first tube. Going to inflate the patched tube, the frame pump failed. It was getting old, and the gasket was just too worn to stay in place. So I used the remaining C02 in the one cartridge to get the tire to a rideable level, and the patch doesn't hold. Failure No 3, old age, (the pump's ) and my poor work on the patch.

Next we ride on the flat about a mile to a Walmart. Buy 2 new tubes, and a mini pump. Only problem is the tube has a 32m valve, and won't stick out past even a modestly aero rim. Fortunately, I have a valve extender. Unfortunately, aluminum valve extenders are prone to breaking when used with a mini pump. First valve extender breaks. I go across the street to Academy Sports in search of another tube, or a better pump, both of which they have neither. Failure No. 4, Walmart's stupid stocking decisions.

Next, take the tube out to get the remnants of the broken valve extender off , and put on valve extender no 2. This time, I pump the tire very carefully, get 80 pounds or so in it and we ride home. Fifth time's a charm.

So, to the extent there's a question in this rant, can you actually use a 650 tube on a 700c rim, or was that attempt doomed for failure?
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Old 08-12-13, 01:00 PM
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I have no answers, but I feel your pain. I had a similar ride from hell about 1 month ago. Oh well, as long as nobody got hurt it's all good...
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Old 08-12-13, 01:11 PM
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I've never tried one but considering how much a tube (unrestricted by a tire) can expand, I don't see why it wouldn't.

I saw someone trying to find the cause of a flat inflate a tube until it was probably 4 feet across and 5 inches thick
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Old 08-12-13, 01:20 PM
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I tried a 650 tube once.

It was so tight on the rim that it would Not stay clear of the tire bead when pumped.

Each time I gave it some air it would get under the bead, so I gave up and used a 700 tube.
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Old 08-12-13, 01:39 PM
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Days like that turned me into the type of guy who carries 2 extra tubes and a patch kit now.
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Old 08-12-13, 01:45 PM
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Good question. As someone who primarily rides on 650c wheels, I've never been tempted to offer a tube to someone on the side of the road. But I have wondered whether it could be done as a last resort.

P.S. I carry two tubes and a patch kit since I don't expect anyone to be able to lend me a tube either.
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Old 08-12-13, 02:12 PM
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Originally Posted by jerrycan42
Days like that turned me into the type of guy who carries 2 extra tubes and a patch kit now.
+ 1
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Old 08-12-13, 02:20 PM
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Originally Posted by jerrycan42
Days like that turned me into the type of guy who carries 2 extra tubes and a patch kit now.
Being a ride leader lead me to carry 2 tubes and 3 cartridges in my bag, 1 tube in my jersey, and a mini pump. People get really whiny when you tell them to call home because you're leaving.
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Old 08-12-13, 02:22 PM
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tube, patch kit, C02, and frame pump, tire boot, you would hope we be enough.

The problem that I couldn't overcome was the failure of the frame pump.
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Old 08-12-13, 02:24 PM
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Love my Lezyne Road Drive because it has the hose.
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Old 08-12-13, 02:31 PM
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Yeah, two tubes and two CO2. It's like a good luck charm...

I have noticed that being ill prepared seems to always bring disaster and being well prepared means you rarely have to use it.

Go figure.

merlin's experience with the frame pump was similar to my experience. I go to use it after a long interval of non-use and the valve leather had dried up. Spitting on it helped but wasn't really optimum. That's what made me decide to start using CO2.
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Old 08-12-13, 02:38 PM
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Originally Posted by therhodeo
Being a ride leader lead me to carry 2 tubes and 3 cartridges in my bag, 1 tube in my jersey, and a mini pump. People get really whiny when you tell them to call home because you're leaving.
You're a swell guy, but why are these whiny folks riding without the propopers fixin's
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Old 08-12-13, 02:57 PM
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Originally Posted by rdtompki
You're a swell guy, but why are these whiny folks riding without the propopers fixin's
I really try to encourage new people so the saturday morning ride I used to lead alot of times was peoples first long ride. I help them the first time but normally expect them to learn from it after that.
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Old 08-12-13, 03:28 PM
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I know you can use a 650b tube on a 29" wheel (MTB size). So I assume you can with a 700c.

As for leading group rides, we make it known at the start of the Sunday ride. If you have no means of patching a flat, you either phone home, walk or hope a friendly motorist will give you a lift. Some idiots still tag along with no tubes or patches though.
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Old 08-12-13, 03:39 PM
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I have had a 26" mtn tube in my 700c cyclocross wheel for the past few weeks with no problems.
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