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OK to use 28/32c inner tube as a 'get me home' for 38mm tubeless tyres?
I've just upgraded to tubeless wheels and tyres (Hunt 700c 4Season Gravel Discs and Schwalbe G-one Allround 38mm) and am carrying a tubeless repair kit with worms for any punctures that the sealant can't handle. I have a lightweight 28/32c inner tube that I am hoping I can use as an emergency 'get me home' backup if the tubeless worm repair doesn't work but I'm not sure if that's workable. Obviously I could get a wider/heavier inner as a backup but I'm hoping that the chance of using will be slim and if I do have to use an inner then it probably wont be ridden on very much so saving 50g and a couple of quid seems like it's worth posting this question for. Any comments?
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20 comments
I think for the time being i'll stick with the 32c inner tube i've got because I'm more towards the "should be fine" end of the spectrum, it's lighter and it's in my saddle bag already. However, any recommendations for lightweight 35c-38c tubes much appreciated.
Yes, top tip: Use a regular 32c tube. They're lighter than 38c tubes and stretch just fine. Once inflated, the rubber will be as thick as those expensive lightweight 38c tubes.
I like you're thinking, thanks.
It perfectly fine, ive used 12 plastic bags inflated with farts to gete home.
Once you've fitted said inner tube you won't bother changing until it punctures again
Ha Ha Ha.........brilliant. Are you appearing at the Edinburgh fringe?
Totally agree. No risk and how on earth will it be uncomortable. Too many seroius perfectionists on this site to take the fun out of cycling. Need more people like CXR94Di2.
Use it and then get the right size tube when you replace it. It'll be fine.
It will be absolutely fine, and the amount that it exposes you to greater puncturability in reality is probably similar to the % decrese in aero drag from shaving your legs.
Inner tubes kept out of the sunlight don't, in reality, degrade.
I've taken an unused inner tube out of a saddle bag previously and found that it had a big split at the seam.
Crikey - how long had it been in there? I keep mine in a plastic bag to stop the tools rubbing against it.
At least a couple of years. I don't know if it was due to being subject to British temperature variations or whether it was just a manufacturing fault. It was on the inside of the tube (as it was folded) so it wasn't damaged by other tools etc.
It's a good way of practising your more colourful vocabulary, though.
I agree that it should be fine, but you're more likely to puncture.
Something else to consider is that you're quite unlikely to use it, so the rubber might deteriorate over time and you wouldn't find out until you tried inflating it (or slightly over-inflating it in this case). Maybe test it every 6 months or so to check that it's hasn't split and still holds air.
Yes, it will work. You will stretch the tube a little thin and therefore increase the chance of a puncture but it will work.
It may do. I haven't ever tried it. I think a more pertinent question however is, why take the risk? I don't wish to be so direct but anyone trying to save a couple of quid on an inner tube should give up cycling, and surely the 50g saving is a joke? It sounds like an extremely uncomfortable ride home especially if on 38mm you're off road. You can't be serious?
In a bid to prevent my cycling becoming too routine, too predictable and yes, too safe, I take the opposite approach. Just think how exciting it will be, pedalling that last thirty miles with a 5mm hole in the tyre and a severely undersized tube in place. I particularly look forward to that 25%, mile-long descent into a series of technical hairpins, edged by a strip of ageing and rusty Armco.
Go for it my son.
a 32mm inner tube in a 38mm tyre is hardly pushing the boat out and is fine as a get you home solution, as above will increase chances of puncture but. As for thrashing it on non existant descents ...
Just what risk is he taking? What would be uncomfortable? The tyre would still be inflated, would still be round. You can't be serious that you think using a 32mm tube in a 38 mm tyre represents any kind of risk to rider or machine? A 1.3mm thick innertube for a 32mm tyre when inflated to 38mm is going to be less than 2 tenths of a millimetre thinner (about 1/125th of an inch). That's not really likely to make any difference to puncture-ability. It will make him (immeasurably) quicker due to lower hysteresis, so he'll be in that precarious position for less time
Risk being puncturing again twenty miles from home by the side of a muddy canal in February, not risk to man or machine. Okay I may have overplayed my hand on the comfort stakes. Don't see the point of having a tube just to get home anyway why not have the correct size one (or even two) to carry on with the ride. Even if there was only a small chance of a puncture for the sake of £2 and 50g I wouldn't take it
With tubeless you've got sealant for minor punctures and worms for larger ones, so that *should* from what i've read, reduce the possibility of having to resort to an inner tube.
Couple of quid - agreed. However, I've just taken off 1kg by changing wheels and going to tubeless, 200g by changing lid, 100g on pedals, 100g seatpost, 100g saddle...it's all added up to a substantial performance gain for not much money. Certainly avoided (or at least delayed) me wanting a new bike.
A good close shave, a haircut and a good shit all add to the improvements too.