inner tube - weights & longevity

General cycling advice ( NOT technical ! )
UpWrong
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Re: inner tube - weights & longevity

Post by UpWrong »

I've been running Scwalbe x-light tubes for 406 and 559 rims for a while now for improved comfort and reduced rolling resistance. The quality control in the 406 tubes has been terrible though. If you inflate them outside the tyre you'll often see one part of the tube bulge indicating non-uniform thickness. They are more fragile too than their standard tubes. Even the standard Schwalbe tubes are lighter and thinner than the Conti, Kenda and Bontrager tubes I have come across. I suggest doing inflation tests on Schwalbe tubes to check they are air tight in terms of the tube and valve, and of uniform thinkness. Also carry 2 such tested tubes in case they have perished in the meantime.
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interestedcp
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Re: inner tube - weights & longevity

Post by interestedcp »

In my experience thinner inner tubes causes more punctures. The construction of the tyres is however a far more important factor than choice of inner tube when it comes to punctures.
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Barrowman
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Re: inner tube - weights & longevity

Post by Barrowman »

I think marginally thicker tubes are the way forward from experience ,with puncture resistant tyres.
On returning to cycling a few years ago I wad bedevilled by punctures ( actually mostly down to perished Michelin Tyres I later realised) and I bought some 'puncture proof' tubes ( Specialised I think) . Very thick on the outer surface ( and nigh on impossible to fold!) .
Pulled the valves out ......... :roll:
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plancashire
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Re: inner tube - weights & longevity

Post by plancashire »

Mick F wrote: 19 Feb 2023, 3:12pm I've given up with Schwalbe inner tubes too, but I have four spares for the two bikes.

I don't like them - not because I have punctures - it's because of the leaky removable valve cores. It's very surprising how tight they have to be to withstand 120psi or more.
I found Loctite fixed the problem - yes, I had it too. It locks AND seals. I assume Schwalbe make their presta (known as French in Germany) valves like this so you can inject the goo that seals punctures from inside the tube.

Why oh why can't you buy valves with a smooth shoulder to the stem? Michelin used to be like like that. A push-on pump seals much better than to a screw thread. The Michelins also used to have a fairly smooth thread for the cap, so it didn't chew up the rubber push-on. It's the reverse of re-inventing the wheel: forgetting why the old designs were better.
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simonineaston
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Re: inner tube - weights & longevity

Post by simonineaston »

Why oh why can't you buy valves with a smooth shoulder to the stem?
I know! The first thing I do when I fit a new inner tube is unscrew the collar and throw it away... meanwhile the redundant threads busily saw away at the rubber seal in my pump every time I inflate the tyre.
S
(on the look out for Armageddon, on board a Brompton nano & ever-changing Moultons)
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plancashire
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Re: inner tube - weights & longevity

Post by plancashire »

I had a thought about the threads: file them smoother. You don't need the whole depth just to hold a dust cap on.

Why doesn't someone make a version of Presta with NO threads for the dust cap? They are a hang-over from metal dust caps (I had some once). Plastic caps can be made snap fit into a tiny ring indentation. As a compromise for compatibility make the stem with rounded ridges instead of sharp threads - a plastic cap with threads will stay put well enough. Filing smoother and filling with some glue would be almost as good. I'll try it.
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peterb
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Re: inner tube - weights & longevity

Post by peterb »

You can buy tubes with a smooth valve barrel - Decathlon for example.
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plancashire
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Re: inner tube - weights & longevity

Post by plancashire »

peterb wrote: 26 Mar 2023, 7:03pm You can buy tubes with a smooth valve barrel - Decathlon for example.
Interesting. Thanks. All the illustrations I can see on the Decathlon website (German) show valves with the usual threads, this one for example: https://www.decathlon.de/p/fahrradschla ... mc=8311103 . There is a short smooth part but narrower than the threads. The old Michelins had a wider and longer smooth part.

Could you show me what you mean, please?
I am NOT a cyclist. I enjoy riding a bike for utility, commuting, fitness and touring on tout terrain Rohloff, Brompton M3 and Wester Ross 354 plus a Burley Travoy trailer.
peterb
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Re: inner tube - weights & longevity

Post by peterb »

plancashire wrote: 27 Mar 2023, 5:33pm
peterb wrote: 26 Mar 2023, 7:03pm You can buy tubes with a smooth valve barrel - Decathlon for example.
Interesting. Thanks. All the illustrations I can see on the Decathlon website (German) show valves with the usual threads, this one for example: https://www.decathlon.de/p/fahrradschla ... mc=8311103 . There is a short smooth part but narrower than the threads. The old Michelins had a wider and longer smooth part.

Could you show me what you mean, please?
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/700x23-32 ... mc=8544668
peterb
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Re: inner tube - weights & longevity

Post by peterb »

Decathlon UK - I buy them mainly because the barrel is smooth, they are also inexpensive and seem to be good quality. I also have a couple of Tubolito tubes I'm going to try out for the summer (bought on offer!) which have very bling smooth orange valve barrels, and weigh next to nothing https://www.alpinetrek.co.uk/tubolito-s ... ent=Marken
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plancashire
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Re: inner tube - weights & longevity

Post by plancashire »

peterb wrote: 27 Mar 2023, 6:07pm
plancashire wrote: 27 Mar 2023, 5:33pm
peterb wrote: 26 Mar 2023, 7:03pm You can buy tubes with a smooth valve barrel - Decathlon for example.
Could you show me what you mean, please?
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/700x23-32 ... mc=8544668
Thanks. Yes, the main stem is smooth, so there is no ring to screw down onto the rim to stop the valve pushing into the rim as you press the pump onto it. Is that right? If so, what is the trick to get the pump on? A third hand?
I am NOT a cyclist. I enjoy riding a bike for utility, commuting, fitness and touring on tout terrain Rohloff, Brompton M3 and Wester Ross 354 plus a Burley Travoy trailer.
AndyK
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Re: inner tube - weights & longevity

Post by AndyK »

plancashire wrote: 28 Mar 2023, 8:43pm
peterb wrote: 27 Mar 2023, 6:07pm
plancashire wrote: 27 Mar 2023, 5:33pm
Could you show me what you mean, please?
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/700x23-32 ... mc=8544668
Thanks. Yes, the main stem is smooth, so there is no ring to screw down onto the rim to stop the valve pushing into the rim as you press the pump onto it. Is that right? If so, what is the trick to get the pump on? A third hand?
You use the hand that isn;t holding the pump to press in on the tyre behind the valve hole, squashing the inner tube flat and pushing the valve stalk firmly through the hole (This won't damage the tube). Then while holdig it there, push the pump nozzle on. Done.
But TBH this is one good reason to use the locking collar where there is one. Much easier. If you're a weight obsessive you can always take the collar off again once the tyre's inflated.
Alternatively buy inner tubes with really long valve stems.
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