Hi guys,

I know that there is a fair amount of leeway with tube sizing but wanted a confirmation. I had ordered a bunch of Continental Slim Touring tubes, designed for 1.1-1.3" tyres but have now decided on 1.5" tyres. Would it be OK to use them?

https://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Co...be/5360007389/

I personally size my tubes a bit small intentionally and use thinner tubes avoiding the heavy duty or thorn proof ones. It keeps the weight down, makes mounting easier, and causes no major problems that I can see. I suspect that they may lose air a bit quicker and as a result need to be pumped more often. In theory they might be more easily punctured, but I have not observed that.

OP - I think you'll be fine as far as inflation especially if you aren't the type to run max pressure.

My theory is that the more a smaller tube is stretched the easier it is to puncture. e.g. a 28c tube in a 32 tire inflated to full pressure won't resist puncture the way a 35 tube in a 32 tire will because its is stretched so thin. I could be full of it but altho I always inflate +5psi over max, I rarely get puncture flats *knocks on wood* and all my tires are gashed to hell from commuting in the city so its not like there isn't opportunity.

That reminds me. Back in the day, I always liked latex tubes. They are thinner, more flexible, and lighter. Back in my MTB racing days some folks thought they were more puncture resistant and pinch flat resistant. They definitely provide a slightly better ride due to their flexibility and light weight. That is offset by their being generally less available and substantially more expensive. They also lose air faster and need to be pumped more like daily.

These days I am too cheap and too lazy to hunt them down so I run butyl tubes. If I stumbled across some latex tubes at a good price, I would probably buy some.

Like already mentioned.... You will be fine.

Thanks guys.

Thanks guys. Like some have mentioned, the mounting is certainly easier, and the spare tube more compact as well.

I know it contradicts the above experiences - and may just be the manufacturing method or product design of the particular tubes that we had trouble with, but ..

We had tubes for 23-28mm tires in our 28mm Continetal Gatorskin tandem tires. We put some 32mm Avocet Fastgrip Carbon-12 tires on and had (2) flats (within the first few days of putting the larger tires on). The flats were right where the molded section near the valve stem is - and were not on the tread side. It appeared that, although the tube could easily stretch to fit the larger tire everywhere else, in the area near the stem the stretching caused the tubes to tear. Maybe if the tubes in question don't have a seperate molded area near the valve stem (and the valve stem is more-or-less patched onto the tube) this problem won't occur. Ever since this experience we've used tubes whose indicated size range included our tire size and have never had this particular problem again.