[Lee170]

Who’s using what tubes?
I need to carry some spare tubes/tube when I’m out on the bike,
Or do people just carry patches?
There are quite a number of different tubes out there.
The lightweight ones are nearly twice the price of the normal ones,
Are they worth the extra?
Do inner tubes make that much difference?
I’m running schwalbe luganos(came on new bike) at the mo 700x25c
Currently has long valves on, do I need long valves?

Topic

[Redvee]

mike the bike wrote:kev-s

mike the bike wrote:

kev-s wrote:

…… At £2 each i cant be arsed to repair them

A point of view I can fully understand. But I save my punctured tubes for a rainy Sunday morning and fix them all at once. There’s something very satisfying about doing a good job and saving a few quid too.

I bought 15 of one of the brand of tubes from Planet X for under £2 and when they arrived threw some of the more patched tubes away. I too am in the school of bulk repair session. I’ve got an old table leg with 9mm holes 50mm apart that I use to hold the tubes on whilst the glue dries etc. I then double check my work with the ‘dunk in bath’ method. I’d rather find a leak at home than on the road.

[dunnoh]

I buy lifeline 6 at a time
I buy lifeline 6 at a time from Wiggle. The quality appears to have got better – they seemed to only last a few deflation’s before the valves failed – they seem loads better in the last 6 months or so. For winter I sometimes stick in the heavy touring type tubes. They are a pain to fit but they are way more hardy than race tubes

[mike the bike]

kev-s wrote: …… At £2

kev-s wrote:

…… At £2 each i cant be arsed to repair them

A point of view I can fully understand. But I save my punctured tubes for a rainy Sunday morning and fix them all at once. There’s something very satisfying about doing a good job and saving a few quid too.

[kev-s]

I use Planet x inner tubes £2
I use Planet x inner tubes £2 each

No idea of weight etc…

Carry two on the bike, if i puncture i replace the tube and bin the knackered one

At £2 each i cant be arsed to repair them

[Nixster]

I run Vittoria latex tubes
I run Vittoria latex tubes and have done since last summer, not punctured since (rubs lucky rabbit foot etc). Prior to that I used conti supersonic in my weight weenie phase, one of those is my spare as they fold up very small but they are delicate. Also carry on the bike I think Lezyne glue less patches but never used. Home repair as posted above.
Latex tubes leak but so far I am fairly impressed. Shame they’re so heavy 😀

[Anonymous]

Always carry two spare tubes,
Always carry two spare tubes, buy whatever is cheapest on ebay and, fingers crossed I’ve been ok with them all, however I check my tyres once a week for damage and stuff working it’s way through the rubber which definitely saves me from time to time. Don’t run deep rims on any of my bikes so valve length never comes into the equation.

[Simon E]

Glueless patches by Park etc
Glueless patches by Park etc work fine as a temporary repair but will let you down eventually. I would carry at least 1 tube as well as the glueless patches.

I don’t muck about repairing a tube on the roadside but I do carry one to work so can replace the tube then fix the hole in lunch break if necessary. Rema Tip Top F0 patches (15mm) are the best for road bike tubes.

Lightweight tubes: no benefit. Difference in weight of 30-40g is insignificant.

Valve length depends on rim, it needs to be enough to clear the rim and attach your pump head securely. I like Schwalbe SV15 (they do long & XL valve versions too) but all brands do the same job.

[Author]

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