inner tubes

gray198

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Apr 4, 2012
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Is there any difference between inner tubes or are they all much the same. I was wondering if they are likely to perish or start losing air. Mine are about 4 years old now. Should I replace them as a matter of course

gray
 

KeithMac

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Jun 20, 2016
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I had a Kenda one next to a Tesco special, the Kenda was noticeably thicker.

I normally wait till they have a couple of puncture repairs but no harm in fitting new and keeping them as emergency spares.
 

flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
52,761
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I've not found modern tubes perishing. Many years ago it was a problem with the old rubber materials but today's improvements seem to make them last for many years. A few claim to be low air loss but I haven't found those I've tried show any noticeable difference, so it could be just marketing hype.
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anotherkiwi

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Jan 26, 2015
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Yes there is a big difference between supermarket no brand tubes and Schwalbe tubes. Especially on bikes ridden by teenage sons.
 
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soundwave

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go tubeless all you need is rim tape valve that fits the rim and the fluid.
 

Alan Quay

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Dec 4, 2012
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I'm a big fan of the continental tubes. They are thick and perform well. They have a threaded steel valve with a nut to hold it in place, making much easier to get a pump on them.

I just bought 8 for about £20. Sometimes Halfords have them on offer for about £2.50


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LeighPing

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I actually caught a puncture on video, whilst out scootering (urban mushing) with my dog. The slime tube fixed itself and let me continue without the need to repair the hole myself.

 
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gray198

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Apr 4, 2012
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Thanks for all replies. I have got my tubes slimed and that seems to work well. A few weeks ago I caught a rearwheel puncture. Just pumped it back up and carried on. May get a couple of those continental tube's or the slime ones which are a good price. Will also have a look at the tubeless possibility

best regards gray
 
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LeighPing

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Other than the "faff factor" is there any difference between the Slime tubes and putting Slime from the bottle into other tubes yourself?
Halfords wanted a tenner to put slime into each of my tyres. They cost a fiver for each tube on the net.

£6.50 per bottle on amazon with generally good reviews. Click to view. Using a bottle can't be a bad thing, as it stops you taking the tyre off. But you have to have Schrader valves. I've just read that it can only be used for inner tubes with removable valve inserts.
 

Nealh

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Tubeless isn't always the answer. I had a decent flint gash in a tyre that no tyre sealant would have sealed and would have walked home from the S/downs, I was fortunate that my tube was unscathed. Recently I have bought some Michelin butyl tubes which they claim to be more puncture resistant.
 
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flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
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Other than the "faff factor" is there any difference between the Slime tubes and putting Slime from the bottle into other tubes yourself?
Potentially yes. The proportion of slime in a tube is quite critical. If too much the excess of solvent and its vapour thats in the slime to keep it liquid can prevent it sealing as the slime oozes out of a new puncture. I'm sure that's why slime hasn't worked for many people, it's certainly failed me more than once in trying it.

Hopefully the pre-slimed tubes have exactly the ideal amount in each tube.

Aso adding it yourself can result in valves clogged with setting slime.
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LeighPing

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I changed mine in situ, without removing the wheel. You just have to loosen the wheel-nuts, slip the old one out, and the new one in. The tyre doesn't need to come out of the tail forks. It's easy enough with a bit of fiddling.

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Angelnorth

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May 13, 2016
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Halfords wanted a tenner to put slime into each of my tyres.
That's iniquitous!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Slime-SLIME-8-SLIME-PUNCTURE-PREVENTOR/dp/B000W45GGW
Using a bottle can't be a bad thing, as it stops you taking the tyre off. But you have to have Schrader valves. I've just read that it can only be used for inner tubes with removable valve inserts.
I have a bottle ready to go in - be more useful if I actually did it than have it sitting on the shelf though :rolleyes:

Potentially yes. The proportion of slime in a tube is quite critical...
Thanks for that, Flecc - I'll proceed with caution!
 
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