Fly2High

Need to purchase some spare inner tubes for my Conti GT 4000S II tires (700c x 25).

What do you recommend? Any to avoid?

How many do you keep on hand?

I plan on keeping 2 in the saddle bag. Do you also keep extra at home?

thanks

Frank

DTSCDS

I tend to go cheap on tubes. Spend money on tires, save money on tubes.
I haven't found anything better or worse from one tube to another. (Although I bought a bike that had unthreaded presta valves and I thought those looked pretty slick. Didn't really perform any different, but looked cool.)

KenshiBiker

I buy tubes when they're on sale. I probably have one to two dozen. When I have a flat, I just put in a new tube, and put the old tube in the pile of "tubes to be patched". Then once a year or so I'll spend a cold and/or rainy afternoon patching tubes. I haven't noticed a difference in quality (or weight) of tubes; I have noticed a difference in valve stem length .

shelbyfv

I have not bought a tube in years, my friends who can't be bothered to patch give me their flats. I don't think the brand makes much difference. I like the smooth stems. I carry one spare and some no glue patches.

chaadster

I've never paid a much attention to tubes, and haven't noticed quality or performance differences, which is not to say they don't exist, of course.

I do try to stick to name brand in hopes of better quality, so that may be a factor, and since last year, I've kept stock of Panaracer R'Air tubes, primarily because they're extremely compact in the saddlebag, but also because they are light. They may confer performance benefits when fitted, but I can't tell. I've only had one flat with them, and the leakdown was very slow.

If I didn't worry about space or weight, I'd not give any thought to tubes, honestly.

Flyingblind9

I personally use michelin aircomp a1 tubes and i have yet to flat with one. If avoid REI Novara tubes. Those fail regularly around the valve stem. I only carry one tube. No need for two. Just carry a small patch kit and one tube.

Fly2High

My concern was partly about manufacturing quality. In reading some reviews on Amazon and such, some have had defective units NIB. Was wondering if this is common for some brands and less with others.

Right now I am thinking of getting Swaulbe or Conti. Since I just used my only Specialized tube I had, I wanted to get at least a pair but wasn't sure if I should keep one or two extra at home. I tend to believe that rubber tubes are a perishable item and ill eventually dry out and crack or something. Not sure keeping them in my garage vs on the bike will make them last any longer or not.

I have a metric century ride coming up at the end of the month that I question some of the roads as to their repair state. I figure I would rather have 2 for this ride and a patch kit, just in case.

Frank

milkbaby

I bet a lot of tubes are made in the same factories. Getting a bad tube is mostly like getting flats, mostly a matter of bad luck.

I like Maxxis Ultralight because they're the lightest tube for the money, usually on sale around $6 and only 67 grams. Michelin Aircomp Ultralight are an alternative I get on sale too but about 15 grams heavier. These tubes are noticeably lighter and thinner than generic or regular thickness tubes, but I don't flat any more or less with them. For me, flats are always a case of road debris like radial tire wires and slivers of glass that would puncture any tube.

I usually stock up on tubes on sale. I didn't used to patch but started this year because the number of tubes I was throwing away started to bother me. I just keep them indoors in boxes away from light exposure. I've ridden tires and tubes that were 18 years old, so you're probably okay storing tubes for a while.

rpenmanparker 

Sure, they are perishable in an absolute sense, but relative to the past they are now quite a bit more durable with regard to aging. Modern methods of stabilization and all that good stuff. I keep them for years in a Houston hot garage with absolutely no issues. Don't let it bother you.

Fly2High

Thanks guys.

I was going to go with the Swaulbe light weight SV20 tubes but saw some reviewers commenting they are better for race day than training. I also heard good things about the Swaulbe SV15 regular weight and the Continental Race 28 regular tubes.

I like the idea of lighter weight but if they are easier to puncture( even if it is marginally) and can be damaged during install, I will accept the extra ounce and change of weight. I have only had to install new tires once and have fixed a flat and one practice fixing a flat. The Conti 4000s II are tight to put on and I am a little worried I could damage a thin wall trying to 'slip' on the last few inches of tire onto the rim. A thicker tube, I would expect, to be less prone to install damage than a thin one.

I ended up ebaying 3 Conti Race 28 tubes for $5.79 each plus free shipping. This way I have my patched tube and three spares to use. For my up coming ride, I will remove the patched tube and put two fresh ones (along with the patch kit) in my saddle bag to guarantee a good day of riding.

Thanks guys.

Frank

dr_lha

Beware Amazon reviews of things that are easy to break. Got a pinch flat due to bad installation of tube - tube must have been defective - 1 star review on Amazon.

I use Kenda tubes and they work for me. These either come in a box that says "Kenda" on them, or a box that says "Q Tubes" on them, either way, the tube says Kenda on it and "Made in Taiwan".

Fly2High

I had previously purchased a regular Specialized tube from the local bike shop for like $10 - $14. being the first time changing an actual punctured tube (nor just practicing or putting on new tires), it looked rather thin and flimsy. I was scared I was going to rip it during install. Inflated the tube a little and stuffed it into the tire and worked the tire onto the rim starting opposite the valve and all worked out fine. It is one thing to practice changing a tire in your garage/home and another to do it on the roadside. Gratefully, the tools I had in the saddlebag worked great. I am sure this won't be my last flat but hopefully my speed of changing tubes will get faster, not that I am looking for more practice.

AS much as I love my Lezyne micro floor drive pump, the only shortcoming it has is the foot peg. Having cleats on makes it a little difficult to hold the foot peg still. Otherwise, it pumped my tire to 116 psi with not much effort (for me).

thanks

Frank

Shuffleman

I tend to agree with you on storing them. I used to buy tubes for my mtb when they were on sale. I have stored them for 15-20 years (No kidding) in my Florida garage and they are still fine. As for road tubes, I but whatever my shop carries. I only keep one in my seat bag with a flat repair kit. I have not had a flat in over 2 years, thus I never buy tubes any more unless I need one. For me, they last long enough and I do not want a bunch of spare parts in my garage anymore. My road, hybrid and mtb bike coupled with my son's bmx and mtb and my wifes mtb is simply too much bike stuff. Not to mention the racks, helmets and etc. that goes with them. I took all my stems, tires and tubes and donated them to my lbs. My tinkering days are over as I no longer have the room or time. Thus, just one spare per bike now.

Clem von Jones

Buy at least six tubes at a time on ebay. Kenda standard weight, size 23mm, about 93 grams, with removable valve cores so you can inject sealer if need be. The ebay guy in NJ ships them priority express and they arive in one or two days, cost $25 for six. You want several tubes on hand because it's very frustrating to miss a ride on the perfect day. Always carry at least two extra on the bike, and more if you're riding over 50 miles. I often flat both tires at the same time from goathead thorns. You can buy lighter tubes mentioned above to ride on but a stock of these cheaper ordinary-weight tubes are nice to have as back-ups and you can hand them out to other stranded riders. I prefer lightweight tubes but the standard weight are more durable. Lightweight tubes tend to fail more easily around the valve stems - this is their primary flaw.

Pretty sure that Kenda, Q-tubes, and REI Novara are all the same manufacturer. I like them because they're inexpensive and have removable valve cores.

It's wise to polish and round-over the valve rim holes in your rims with Dremel rotary tool, jeweller’s file, or 400+ grit sandpaper so the edges don't cut into your tube stems. Also you can cut a nickel-sized piece of felt cloth, poke a hole through the middle of it with an awl or phillips screwdriver, and put that over your tube stem for extra protection before installing new tubes.

DTSCDS

You sir, win at Internet!!!
Just about 100% of my flats, (that includes flats on my wife's bike as well since I am the one that gets the joy/honor of changing her's as well) are within probably 1/4". (Or, if I am going to conform to Rule #24 , 5mm.) The felt 'washer' idea is nothing short of brilliant.

I will think of you often and fondly as I ride day after day flat free!

Sy Reene

A couple weeks back I picked up a Conti Race tube... word of warning to the uninitiated (as I was).. these have removable valve cores. I didn't understand what was going on til I came across this review on Competitive Cyclist's product page.. this is a nuisance IMO if you don't have a need to inject sealant into your tubes.

[SIZE=1]"On some websites cyclists are complaining that when using a screw on pump the removable valve core shoots off the stem when they unscrew the pump. That's because when installing the tube (fresh out of the box) the removable core is factory installed only finger tight. You will need a 4.5 mm metric wrench (or presta valve core tool) to tighten the core for the first time. This will allow for your plastic valve cap, or your screw on pump to be taken off your stem without the core flying off.
NOTE: When tightening the core in the stem, hold the stem firmly and be careful not to twist or damage the stem base connection to the tube"[/SIZE]

Carbonfiberboy 

Michelin AirComp. Buy 6.

Sy Reene

Do these cover the OP's 25mm tire? I thought these only go up to 23mm?

Carbonfiberboy 

We run them in 28mm 4000IIs, which measure 32mm on our Kinlin 279 rims. Tube sizes are BS. Main thing is not to buy too large a tube so they're easy to install without a chance of pinching.

Sy Reene

Good to know. surprised that Michelin limits their saleable universe though by understating their tube compatibility with somewhat popular tire widths.

Carbonfiberboy 

My guess is lawyers.

K100Fran 

Mavic tubes. Smooth black valve stem. Looks good, easier to get pump on and off, no threads also helps the rubber inside the pump head last a bit longer.

Athens80

Just be sure that you don't want to use a threaded pump, like the Lezynes I've seen.

mvnsnd

I'e been buying these when on sale. They have been working out well so far.

Fly2High

AS for the valve core unscrewing, will do. Have heard some using threadlocker on them to ensure they do not unscrew. Something like Loctite 262 would be great but maybe you could get away with 242 as well.

I do have a screw on pump so I need to have threads. It seems to screw onto the valve cap thread if what I am seeing is correct on the Lezyne micro floor pump.

Do the Mavic's have a valve cap?

Frank