taz777

I'm finding that I cannot fit even one inner tube into any of my tool bottles.

The spare inner tubes I have for my gravel bike are Schwalbe 700 x 28-45c tubes, so they are quite bulky. The tyres are 700x38.

This now presents me with a bit of a problem in how to carry a spare inner tube securely. I'm trying to avoid using a saddle (I have a Topeak medium saddle bag that is not being used).

Does anyone have a similar issue and has resolved it?

I may end up having to use my Topeak saddle bag if I cannot find another solution.

Facanh

Half frame bag.



I made one with my friend and we designed it so I can use both water bottles. I'll probably never go back to saddle bag, it's so nice to use.

But if you really just want to carry your inner tube, strap it somewhere to the frame or to the saddle.

wphamilton

Bottom of the triangle works as in Facanh's photo, but least put it in some kind of bag to keep mud off of it, and whatever else might get kicked up by the front wheel.

taz777

Thanks guys. A frame strap looks like a good solution.

taz777

After a bit of research, there appear to be two popular frame mount straps:

1. The Mutherload frame mount strap: Mutherload - Frame Mount

2. Louri frame strap: https://www.cyclorise.com/store/c4/louri-bike

The Louri one comes in a neat saddle-mount variant too.

Facanh

I tend to overthink things but personally I would get something with a "belt style buckle" like the Voile straps.



https://www.voile.com/aluminum-buckle-straps.html

wesmamyke

I have one or two super light inner tubes, they fold up a bit smaller. That's what I managed to jam into the bottom of one of those stash bottles.

taz777

I've got two different tool bottles and I cannot get a single tube into either of them! Because of the tube size, they're not so easy to come by but I will see if there is a lighter/thinner version that packs into a smaller bundle. I bought the only ones I could find in the UK of the size I required. That's if I don't go down the strap route.

Alternatively, could I get away with a tube meant for a narrower tyre? It would be overstretched to an extent I guess but I've read that it would still be okay, albeit much thinner when pumped up.

Facanh

I'm not sure what sites you checked but this is a very very common size. When I worked at a bike shop I grabbed this size range the most for puncture repairs.
Schwalbe has the SV-18 which is a lighter inner tube that works up to a 622-42.

Can't you just use a regular bottle? I just checked my spare "Continental Trekking" inner tube that goes up to a 622-47 and it easily fits in a 600ml bottle with tons of room.

taz777

I omitted an important point, my apologies. I need a valve length of 60mm+ so that reduces my tube choice somewhat.

I already have the correct spare tubes (Schwalbe). I'll try repackaging them by folding them in a different way so that overall folded length is longer but width is thinner.

tangerineowl

Tubolito S-Tubo:-
Tubolito - Not your normal tube - super lightweight innertubes for your bike

Facanh

Oh yeah that's not so common...

Try to actually suck on the valve to get all the air out. It's a bit gross but it works.

ThermionicScott 

Perhaps, but it's not that hard to get just about all the air out. I do that by rolling up tubes starting at the far end of the loop from the valve and roll tightly, burping the valve every now and then to let more air out. Sort of like getting the last bit of toothpaste out of the tube. That way, you don't have to keep working around the valve the whole time.

pennpaul

I just bought a Topeak valve extender that screws on to the existing Presta valve.

BTW, why don't you want to use a saddlebag?

redlude97

Just carry a 700x25-28, I use them for up to 40c regularly. Or a latex tube that is smaller and lighter.

mstateglfr 

I'll be the guy who responds with the least helpful and most direct response.
use a wedge bag. There is no downside to a wedge bag as it sits out of the way and keeps whatever you are carrying dry and clean.
some cry about the look of a wedge bag. Ok, I guess, but you can't even see it while riding so its basically a vanity complaint because they dont want others to see the bag.

79pmooney

There are two ancient solutions. Wear the innertube like they did their spare sewups 90 years ago, (See any old racing photo. There is a series of Tour de France photos that are still in print). Or slip the innertube in a sock (I'd do that anyway for the downtube strap) and strap it to your seat rails with the traditional toestrap. (Again, like many including me used to do with our sewups.)

Ben

wphamilton

I agree with this, even maybe "latex" although that would be a bit extreme for me personally.

I'm not joking, it's logical. We carry small, lightweight multi-tools that wouldn't hold up to normal use, and we don't mind paying for it, because we don't use them much and they're always on the bike taking up space. Why not the same reasoning for the tubes? Get the lightest, smallest that will work. It's just in the bag anyway almost 100% of the time.

Marcus_Ti

I use a Silca tool/tube wrap, and strap it to my front rack.

https://silca.cc/products/seat-roll-premio

taz777

Now this could work! I'll try to find an ultra-light 'get-me-home' smaller tube size and keep the proper bulky tubes at home. I think I can pack everything I need in one bottle bag this way.

Facanh

I start with all that but even after I can still suck some air out.

taz777

I've found Conti tubes that are 700 x 25-32.

Any ideas on whether I could get away with these on my 38c tyres? I looked at using valve extenders but those tubes I found already have 60mm Presta valves so would work without valve extenders. I just want to be reasonably confident that they work okay with 38c tyres.

DrIsotope

I also do not care for saddlebags, or at least bags under the saddle. Lower weight feels better. So I opt for the Wolftooth B-RAD with an Arundel Tubi strapped to it. That bag holds... a lot.



Also, if you can source them locally, Cannondale makes a 700x25-32, and their tubes come shrink-wrapped, so about as compact as you can get.

CliffordK

About what I was thinking.

You might be able to even go with a 700x18/25 tube. It is nice to have the same spare tubes for all bikes.

Then swap later if one wishes.

One note, it is my belief that large tube sizes tend to have slow leaks, but small tube sizes open up the holes and tend to have fast leaks.

taz777

Thanks for the all the advice in this thread.

This morning I revisited this issue with a fresh mind and some determination to cram all the bits that I need into one of my tool bottles. After a bit of reorganisation of the contents, and fitting the pump onto the bike farm, things just about fitted.



In that Vittoria tool bottle, I've packed the spare tube that I bought recently (60mm valve), nitrile gloves, a Lezyne patch kit, a CO2 cartridge with sleeve (I found my PDW inflator and used the sleeve off of that), Silca tyre levers, a missing link, two wet wipes and a Lezyne Control Drive CO2 inflator.

Having a bit of an OCD for neatness and aesthetics (a very subjective thing, I realise), I'm happy that all the bits went into the tool bottle. It's a little bit weighty mainly because of the Crank Brothers F15 multitool and the inner tube, weighing in at 554 grams (=19.5 ounces or 1.22 pounds)



Finally, here's how it looks on the bike.