Are all tubes equal?
 

What's the difference btwn a 2.99 nashbar tube and a 5.99 brand name tube?

Weight, seams and taste.

$3.00 - Aren't they pretty much all made in China?

the name brands do taste a bit better when I lick them

The Michelin Aircomp Latex tubes I use are damn near edible.

I use Vredestein tubes only because they come in the smallest box.

I use Forté/Performance tubes because they were on sale at the time, and I was buying tires through Performance already (again, on sale). Of the three different tubes I've used, I can hardly see any difference between them other than stem length.

I have Giant tubes because thats what the LBS 3 blocks down the street sells. I've had other tubes that came my way by various means, but I've never noticed a difference. They taste pretty bad though... ick.

Why do you taste your tubes?

Lick them to find a flat?

If water isn't available.

If you patch your tubes, I find the cheaper brands to have more and larger seams, which requires more sanding before patching.

I still buy the cheap one's on sale though.

Oh, BIKE tubes.