Originally Posted by
noglider
Do you toss them because they have many patches or for some other reason? I don't toss a tube unless I can't fix it, such as when there's a hole near the valve. I think I've gone up to 8 or 9 patches before that's happened.
8 or 9?! Mine aren't even broken in by that point
20 or 30 is more like it.
Originally Posted by
noglider
I guess patching is a skill, considering that the amount of luck people have varies so much.
Luck has nothing to do with it. I agree that it's a skill but one that seems to baffle many.
Originally Posted by
noglider
Where do you store the saran-wrapped tubes? I don't think I've ever had a tube dry rot. I'm under the impression that dry rot comes from moisture and UV, which tubes are not exposed to, unlike tires.
Moisture isn't a problem...butyl rubber is moisture proof. UV is a problem but only if the tube is stored under direct sun (glass absorbs much of the UV spectrum). The real problem is ozone which is produced in the atmosphere due to the interaction of UV, oxides of nitrogen and hydrocarbons. I, too, store my tubes in plastic...ziplocks...to avoid ozone degradation of the butyl rubber. Here in Denver, we have more ozone than elsewhere because of our altitude. Unprotected tubes will deteriorate if left exposed for long periods (on the order of months to years).