Buying bike tubes sizing
05-14-18, 09:25 AM
#1
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Buying bike tubes sizing
buy the size for the tire you are running, or the size that's posted on the rim, or does it matter?
anything to look out for when buying tubes?
favorite brands, and how many you buy at a time?
thanks
anything to look out for when buying tubes?
favorite brands, and how many you buy at a time?
thanks
05-14-18, 09:27 AM
#2
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I buy Continental or Kenda in mulitple packs whenever they are on sale. My tires range from 23-25 so I buy tubes that are in those range.
05-14-18, 09:38 AM
#3
aka Phil Jungels
Buy the size you need! For the tire you will be using.
For me, Schwalbe tubes seem to hold air better than any others I have used!
For me, Schwalbe tubes seem to hold air better than any others I have used!
05-14-18, 09:52 AM
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Also, do you know what valve stem length you want?
Bicycle rims used to be flat across the inner diameter so it didn't matter. Today many bicycle rims have a substantial height profile. A too short valve stem can be a PITA.
Bicycle rims used to be flat across the inner diameter so it didn't matter. Today many bicycle rims have a substantial height profile. A too short valve stem can be a PITA.
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05-14-18, 10:29 AM
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Valve stem length (presta only since Schrader lengths are fairly standard) is probably the most important thing to consider. It's not terribly important unless you have moderate to deep rims but it makes filling the tubes easier.
Everything else about tubes is relatively unimportant. One brand isn't better than another, one size isn't better than another (as long as the tube isn't too big for the tire) and where you buy them is relatively unimportant. I would, however, buy them from a shop since new ones are usually needed on a very random basis
Everything else about tubes is relatively unimportant. One brand isn't better than another, one size isn't better than another (as long as the tube isn't too big for the tire) and where you buy them is relatively unimportant. I would, however, buy them from a shop since new ones are usually needed on a very random basis
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05-14-18, 11:01 AM
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The local shops sell them cheap as loss leaders during their annual sales. Also, during the last few years Kenda has had good prices on tires and tubes at the ATOC festival.
05-14-18, 01:05 PM
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05-15-18, 08:21 AM
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IF your LBS stocks the size that you need. I've found even 406 inner tubes to be hard to find locally. I often add a few inner tubes whenever I order something small on line to help justify the shipping cost.
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05-15-18, 08:39 AM
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I want to find one of these stores with cheap tubes! My local places want nine or ten bucks apiece
05-15-18, 11:10 AM
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City Bike Works always sold tubes cheap during their twice-a-year sales. Now that they've been taken over by Trek, I hope they'll continue that tradition, but who knows? Also, Maxxis is one of the ATOC sponsors and they'll likely have trailer/booth at the Capitol on Saturday if you're coming down to see the race.
05-15-18, 11:33 AM
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Don't overthink it. Buy a tube in the range for the size of tire you are using. In recent years, I have used Kenda, Giant, Bontrager, and Specialized tubes. I have not noticed a difference between any of these brands.
05-15-18, 11:45 AM
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Your rims have sizes on them?
05-15-18, 11:59 AM
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I buy whatever size tube is the same size as the tire it's going in.
All of my regular riders have 1 extra tube on board; in the appropriate size. I have a couple of extra for the road bike, since it's got skinny 23's and a couple for the 26" commuter since it spends the most time out on the road.
Otherwise, i buy them as needed. I don't seem to get many flats (knock wood) so I don't feel the need to keep a bunch of spare tubes on hand.
All of my regular riders have 1 extra tube on board; in the appropriate size. I have a couple of extra for the road bike, since it's got skinny 23's and a couple for the 26" commuter since it spends the most time out on the road.
Otherwise, i buy them as needed. I don't seem to get many flats (knock wood) so I don't feel the need to keep a bunch of spare tubes on hand.
