Since I saw the other Walmart thread, I figured why not......

Wondering if anybody's had luck or even bothered with the inner tubes from Walmart?? I think there were the regular ones (that still even say "self sealing" on them) and then 'Slime' also has some there, but I'd probably only bother with the regular ones, else just order some Kendas online.

???

The inner tubes that Walmart sells come form the same sources as the generic tubes that bike shops sell. There is a small spectrum of quality between the various makers, but since thy're all sold under private brands you have no way of knowing what to expect from any brand, bike shop or Walmart.

I suppose they'd work as well as any other generic tube if you can find the tube you need; their in-store selection is very limited in size and type.

Tubes are so cheap pretty much everywhere that you're not saving much (any?) money buying 'em at Walmart. I mean, I can buy a Walmart tube for $5 or a Michelin tube for $5.

I love me some Slime!

I have purchased tubes from Wallyworld and Target in emergencies, but for general use I buy in bulk online for a whole lot less $$

Walmart bites...

There used to be a huge difference between USA company made tubes and the imports from China and Taiwan. But now, nearly every tube is imported from China. Those at walmart, Kmart and lots of bike shops. I've always had lots of luck with the Continental "Conti" tubes. They seem to have more quality in them. Probably about 50% higher than the brands you get a Walmart, Kmart and the local bike shop, but hold air better and seem to hold up better. I usually run about 80 PSI in my 700c x 32c road tires. I can go at least a couple of weeks before I need to air up with the Conti tubes. On occasion I've had to purchase tubes from Kmart, and had to air them up weekly. They just didn't want to hold air at the higher pressure. That's not a real big deal, but it does say something about some difference in quality between some brands.

Every Bell boxed tube I've gotten there was either a CST or Kenda tube. Looking closely at the mold lines they look like they're made in the same molds

Yes, there is a room for quality difference in tubes: nonuniform consistency of rubber, nonuniform thickness, vents that lack adequately tapered strengthening around the vent and may e.g. be plucked out, longevity. Yes, bike stores often sell tubes of just as bad quality as Walmart, but that does not mean that are no better brand name tubes available. Even when two products come from China there can be a world of quality difference in-between. Think about the value of your effort when working around a tube and compare to the price differential.

I surely cannot claim to be an RKI, but my first 2 tubes I bought were "Meetlocks" from Amazon, they seem decent, getting the job done in 700x35 specialized Nimbus tires. I looked at several walmarts before I found a 700x35 Schraeder tube in stock, I had a look at it and it visually did not impress me, so I left it there. The suppleness of the rubber, or lack thereof was what struck me. I got a Bondrager at a LBS for a spare tube, seemed equally as nice as the meetlocks, and maybe better than the Walmart tube.

hardly the item to be cheap with. if you can verify a more expensive tube is actually higher quality, then it's worth the money. for example if they hold air better / longer. if you are a commuter, you don't want to pump your tires any more often than you have to. once or twice a week say instead of every morning ...

My local Wal-Mart and Target don't sell presta tubes so I can't chime in. I have to go 20+ miles to get tubes...

And all my local ones had was Presta, had to check a few to find schraeder, go figure hehe :-).

EXACTLY. I bought some on a Sunday once (700-25 size, presta valve) because I didn't have any spares and the bike shop was closed. They are the same quality as any other tube. That said, they are the same price at the bike shop or online.