Tubes: does it really matter which one I use?
08-22-13, 10:53 AM
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Tubes: does it really matter which one I use?
I got my first road bike 2 months ago and have just learned how to change tires and tubes... Since I have been riding a lot I thought it might be a good idea to stock up on tubes. I purchased a bunch of Duro tubes from Jensen because they were cheap but also highly rated. Thus far they have been less than stellar...
So, have you found a difference between cheap tubes and more expensive tubes? What tube do you swear by and is there any middle ground between price and quality.
I need a tube that fits 700x23.
Looking forward to your feedback.
So, have you found a difference between cheap tubes and more expensive tubes? What tube do you swear by and is there any middle ground between price and quality.
I need a tube that fits 700x23.
Looking forward to your feedback.
08-22-13, 11:35 AM
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What problems have you had with the tubes you bought? I typically buy the house brand from Nashbar, Jenson, or my LBS. I haven't found a lot of difference in durability and, of course, puncture resistance isn't the tube's job. The only fault I can find in some tubes is failure at the base of the valve stem and I can't equate that to a specific brand.
08-22-13, 11:49 AM
#3
SuperGimp
I am a little finicky about tubes and I have no time for tubes that fail for no good reason. I also don't like tubes with threads on the stem because my pump doesn't like them. I tend to buy Michelin Air Stop tubes in 52mm stem length 4 at a time from amazon when I need them. Are there cheaper tubes out there? Probably but I don't feel like working hard to save $2 on tubes so i don't.
YMMV.
YMMV.
08-22-13, 11:49 AM
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What problems have you had with the tubes you bought? I typically buy the house brand from Nashbar, Jenson, or my LBS. I haven't found a lot of difference in durability and, of course, puncture resistance isn't the tube's job. The only fault I can find in some tubes is failure at the base of the valve stem and I can't equate that to a specific brand.
08-22-13, 12:26 PM
#5
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What kind of flats? Where on the tube are they happening? Is it the same spot each time? Are you sure you are eliminating whatever caused the puncture before replacing the tube? Are you running adequate pressure? There are lots of causes of flats. Good tires make a huge difference. How/where you ride makes a huge difference. Proper inflation makes a huge difference. Tubes are rarely the issue.
08-22-13, 12:41 PM
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I agree with the others. I like Michelin Ultra Light short stem tubes best because the quality is consistently good, they have no threads on the outside of the stem so they are easier on the pump head seal, and they are light. One the other hand they're not cheap. I've also had good service out of Performance house brand tubes but they are threaded.
If you're having punctures on the rim side of the tubes you may need to replace the rim strips with Velox.
If you ride in the southern or western U.S. small punctures on the road side of the tube are often caused by goatheads and sand burrs. If so, keep out of the grass and weeds. Of course there are many other possibilities.
If you're having punctures on the rim side of the tubes you may need to replace the rim strips with Velox.
If you ride in the southern or western U.S. small punctures on the road side of the tube are often caused by goatheads and sand burrs. If so, keep out of the grass and weeds. Of course there are many other possibilities.
08-22-13, 12:42 PM
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Small punctures or pinch flats? Any tube will fail if its pinched during installation. If they are small punctures, then its a tire issue. I like my Continental Grand Prix 4 Seasons, 700x25.
Last edited by Whizzer283; 08-22-13 at 12:43 PM. Reason: typo
08-22-13, 01:41 PM
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Check out your tires and see if there's anything inside that could be causing your flats. It's not likely the tubes.
Tubes are tubes are tubes. Generally, any tube will do just as well as any other. You need a really good tube to be worth an extra dollar. You also need a REALLY bad tube to fail for the tube's fault. I run cheap tubes or whatever the LBS first grabs when I need one. There are more effective and much more fun ways to worry about your money on your bike. Hope this helps!
Tubes are tubes are tubes. Generally, any tube will do just as well as any other. You need a really good tube to be worth an extra dollar. You also need a REALLY bad tube to fail for the tube's fault. I run cheap tubes or whatever the LBS first grabs when I need one. There are more effective and much more fun ways to worry about your money on your bike. Hope this helps!
Last edited by PiLigand; 08-22-13 at 01:42 PM. Reason: typo
08-22-13, 05:05 PM
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Tubeless Road is here. I haven't had a tube in a tire in quite a while.....
08-22-13, 05:36 PM
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There is a difference. Better quality tubes have more uniform thickness and valve stem reinforcement. I never buy the cheapest tubes but only buy Continental's for my high end bikes. For everything else I've found Kenda tubes to be of good quality.
