I know folks here in C&V think this stuff is important so I thought I'd ask. I recently rebuilt a rear wheel, the one I bent in a pothole a few weeks ago. I was careful to put the rim label readable from the DS and the valve hole lined up with the hub name properly. I mounted the tire with the label centered on the valve stem, and on the DS so that the rotation direction is correct. Frankly, I can't imagine that the tread direction has all that much effect. Anyway, after I'd pumped it up I realized I hadn't checked the rotation direction of the tube. I may have gotten it wrong. Should unmount the tire and I pull the tube out to check, or will it be okay even if it is in backwards? I wouldn't want to violate any C&V rules.

I don't think it will make any difference. The tire Direction is more important, due to tread design.

The tubes should rotate the opposite direction of the tires. So if you like to do track stands at traffic lights have the rear tube rotate forward and the front tube rotate backwards creating gyro effect when your standing still. And I like my gyros with extra sauce, no onions please.

be careful, riding with backwards tubes has been known to cause blow outs at high speeds!

just be careful not to ride around with a screw loose

Jim, haven't you learned anything from bottom bracket threading? Just like bearing balls running backward in their races, a backward-running tube could unscrew the tire from the rim! Fix ASAP!

A backwards tube is one of the main causes of carbon frame aspolosion. If you are riding steel or titanium, then you are probably OK. Probably.

And did you line up the slots in all the nipples?

Dang, I completely missed that point. But I did line up the tube's valve with the rim's valve hole. Would that be sufficient if I don't ride backwards?

This is why I always use a Sharpie to mark the drive side of the presta valve as soon as I buy new tubes. It's a visual alarm if I didn't pay attention and got the install backwards. You'd think manufacturers would adopt this simple standard but my e-mails to "big tube" have fallen on deaf ears.

To avoid any confusion, I drill another valve hole and use 2 inner tubes at the same time.

Valve stems wrapped in twine then shellaced adds a finishing touch.

I have considered drilling two additional valve holes in the rim, offset to the sides, and running three tubes. Idea being that if one tube deflates, you still have 2/3 of the original pressure to keep riding with. I once proposed this in the Mechanics forum and my idea was comprehensively deflated.

It will void your warranty.

There is a warranty on MA-40s! Wow, those French do stand by their product.

I don't know what C&Vers have against valve caps.
If you put your tube in backwards you will know right away when you try to thread on the valve cap.
I think Velo-Orange may be working on a budget knockoff of the very rare French left-hand presta valve cap.
Brent

Don't forget to torque the presta valve nut to .025Nm.. Never ride without the safety nut. The valve cap must always be center pointed to the hub logo. If you have pink latex tubes, a composite valve cap must be used... never a metal type. Be careful.

Jim, you left out one more important step....
what direction did you wrap the Velox rim tape?!? According to a French Velox rep, if you don't start it the proper clockwise or counterclockwise direction, at high speeds the tape will self unravel and twist around the tube like an Anaconda resulting in a dramatic blow out.

Which direction to use depends on which hemisphere you're riding in due to the Coriolis Effect.

If you had dispensed with Velox, and went to a synthetic strip, just make sure the Brand Label faces the Drive Side and Upwards. On average, it yields 2.5mph faster speeds.

Not strictly C&V, but pertinent nonetheless:

When running a tubeless setup be sure to install the sealant on the correct side of the tire. Smearing the sealant on the OUTSIDE face of the tire greatly improves flat protection AND traction. I prefer the 'tongue' method of sealant smearing, but it all comes down to personal taste.

A mile or so on chip seal will really help traction off-road as well.

BONUS: See some haphazardly discarded gum or other treat on the side of the road/trail? Run it over. Now you have a post-ride snack.

I knew I was going to have to pull the tire off again. Oh well, I can check the tube direction at the same time. Just don't distract me while I doing it, okay? Otherwise I'll forget again.

Of course. Always blame The Man.

Fellow BF members,

That was a superb, no make that Superbe set of responses! Well done!