Penny pinching question on buying inner tubes
#1
Full Member
Thread Starter
Penny pinching question on buying inner tubes
Walmart has inner tubes for my 20" folding bike with Schalbe max. 100PSI tire. Normally they're $5, but now are 1/2 off. My question is, do cheaper inner tubes hold the higher pressures, at least, for a couple of weeks and 100 to 200 miles of paved road riding?
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: San Jose (Willow Glen) Ca
Posts: 9,849
Bikes: Kirk Custom JK Special, '84 Team Miyata,(dura ace old school) 80?? SR Semi-Pro 600 Arabesque
Mentioned: 106 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2339 Post(s)
Liked 2,831 Times
in
1,545 Posts
YMMV but in my experience, innertubes are an area where you get what you pay for
__________________
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
Likes For soyabean:
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Baltimore, MD
Posts: 5,383
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2490 Post(s)
Liked 2,960 Times
in
1,682 Posts
Don't worry about those tubes. Most local bike shops - certainly all the shops I worked for over the years - buy inexpensive tubes in bulk to use for repairs. Manufacturers of inexpensive tubes don't want to have to take back whole production runs of tens of thousands of tubes, so their products tend to be as reliable as the more expensive tubes, if somewhat heavier.
In fact, whenever I've heard of a batch of tubes being bad, it's usually been Continental tubes or some other name brand. Anyway, regardless of the brand or cost of the tube, in most cases of a customer bringing a tube back, complaining that it failed, it turned out that the customer hadn't understood how to install the tube without damaging it.
In fact, whenever I've heard of a batch of tubes being bad, it's usually been Continental tubes or some other name brand. Anyway, regardless of the brand or cost of the tube, in most cases of a customer bringing a tube back, complaining that it failed, it turned out that the customer hadn't understood how to install the tube without damaging it.
Likes For Trakhak:
#5
I'm good to go!
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 15,002
Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020
Mentioned: 51 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6199 Post(s)
Liked 4,816 Times
in
3,323 Posts
What brand tubes at Walmart? I get Bell inner tubes there in the 700C size. They last every bit as good or even better than the Continental Tire inner tubes I've also bought. They are a little bit heavier than the Continental's. So I'm assuming they are thicker rubber. I don't get the puncture resistant Bell tubes that are much heavier.
If you are talking about the Slime inner tubes, I've never used them. Don't see any point in having sealant in my tubes since I don't get flats but every other year or so lately.
If you are talking about the Slime inner tubes, I've never used them. Don't see any point in having sealant in my tubes since I don't get flats but every other year or so lately.
Likes For Iride01:
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Montreal, Quebec
Posts: 5,932
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1821 Post(s)
Liked 1,697 Times
in
977 Posts
Inner tubes are not responsible for maintaining high pressure. They are confined in place by the rim and tire. In fact, the least reliable inner tubes I have ever used were quite expensive. They were lightweight Scwalbe inner tubes that I bought when the distributor I worked for at the time had lost Scwalbe as a client
Likes For alcjphil:
#7
aged to perfection
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: PacNW
Posts: 1,820
Bikes: Dinucci Allez 2.0, Richard Sachs, Alex Singer, Serotta, Masi GC, Raleigh Pro Mk.1, Hetchins, etc
Mentioned: 24 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 840 Post(s)
Liked 1,263 Times
in
667 Posts
a problem I have seen is that the tubes were rolled up and into the boxes before fully cooled and developed a crease 180 degrees from the valve
that entire batch failed at that location
I had some very nice Michelin tubes that all failed right at the valve stem where it was vulcanized into the tube
I guess the point is if you find tubes you like, stick with them. especially if your tires are hard to repair / remount in the field when you don't have your bead jack.
/markp
that entire batch failed at that location
I had some very nice Michelin tubes that all failed right at the valve stem where it was vulcanized into the tube
I guess the point is if you find tubes you like, stick with them. especially if your tires are hard to repair / remount in the field when you don't have your bead jack.
/markp
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2022
Location: GMT-5
Posts: 944
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 540 Post(s)
Liked 416 Times
in
274 Posts
Walmart's Bell tubes appear much thicker and heavier than LBS premium tubes, I believe the reason for that is it will be tougher for same BSO's that were also purchased from same Walmart.
#9
Happy With My Bikes
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 2,187
Bikes: Hi-Ten bike boomers, a Trek Domane and some projects
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 884 Post(s)
Liked 2,308 Times
in
1,118 Posts
I'm figuring on a folder, you likely aren't racing, touring or riding centuries. For that price I don't know that I would worry about a Walmart tube. I suspect it will be fine for the intended purpose. In fact I may look to see if they have them in 700s if I think about it.
__________________
"It is the unknown around the corner that turns my wheels." -- Heinz Stücke
"It is the unknown around the corner that turns my wheels." -- Heinz Stücke
#10
Full Member
Thread Starter
Thanks for the comments.
For those who asked, the inner tube brand is Bike Shop selling either, one for $2.50 reduced from $4.96 or four for $7.50 reduced from $13.96. I believe a number of different sizes are available at those prices based on stock availability. The 700's have the same price. It looks like they only sell to Walmart.
For those who asked, the inner tube brand is Bike Shop selling either, one for $2.50 reduced from $4.96 or four for $7.50 reduced from $13.96. I believe a number of different sizes are available at those prices based on stock availability. The 700's have the same price. It looks like they only sell to Walmart.
#11
Full Member
Thread Starter
Inner tubes are not responsible for maintaining high pressure. They are confined in place by the rim and tire. In fact, the least reliable inner tubes I have ever used were quite expensive. They were lightweight Scwalbe inner tubes that I bought when the distributor I worked for at the time had lost Scwalbe as a client
#12
Just Pedaling
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: US West Coast
Posts: 1,016
Bikes: YEP!
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 335 Post(s)
Liked 524 Times
in
350 Posts
I'd buy a bunch of them at that price. I've had bad luck with both higher priced name brands as well as bulk from China. It's the tire I won't skimp on.
#13
Newbie
I just recently noticed the half-price tubes on walmart.com; I would imagine the 20 inch tubes should be decently durable as they will be aimed at kids bikes and BMX for the Walmart crowd
For the folks mentioning 700c I think the skinniest size they stock in the store brand is 700x25-34 with a 32mm valve stem
For the folks mentioning 700c I think the skinniest size they stock in the store brand is 700x25-34 with a 32mm valve stem
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 982
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 506 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 639 Times
in
357 Posts
Completely wrong. It is essentially the tube that determines the rate of pressure loss. The type and thickness of the rubber is what controls the diffusion of oxygen and nitrogen through the tube. And if you have poor seas on the tube valve, than can result in pressure loss. The tire contributes little to the equation.,
And to the OP, it is not miles ridden that determines pressure loss. It is time and the permeability of the tube.
And to the OP, it is not miles ridden that determines pressure loss. It is time and the permeability of the tube.
#15
señor miembro
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Pac NW
Posts: 6,629
Bikes: '70s - '80s Campagnolo
Mentioned: 92 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3891 Post(s)
Liked 6,491 Times
in
3,213 Posts
#16
I'm good to go!
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 15,002
Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020
Mentioned: 51 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6199 Post(s)
Liked 4,816 Times
in
3,323 Posts
"maintain" might have been a poor choice of words, but the idea was that the tire is where most of the strength is required. I doubt that one could even inflate a tube to the correct pressure for riding without it being constrained by the tire and rim.
Do we have to nit-pick everything?
Do we have to nit-pick everything?
Likes For Iride01:
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 982
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 506 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 639 Times
in
357 Posts
Porosity is the mechanical structure of the material. Permeability is the measure of (in this case) gas diffusion through the tube. Something with high porosity might have high permeability, but if the surface of the material is "attractive" to the gas, then the permeability will be decreased even if the porosity is the same. This explains why CO2 diffuses more rapidly through butyl rubber than oxygen or nitrogen.
Likes For KerryIrons:
#18
Mad bike riding scientist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 27,369
Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones
Mentioned: 152 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6222 Post(s)
Liked 4,222 Times
in
2,368 Posts
Nope. Even from your oil field days. In oil fields, porosity is the ability of the rock to hold a fluid. Permeability is a measure of how fast the fluid moves through the rock. For a bicycle tube, porosity is the measure of how much gas would be held in the walls of the tube. Permeability is the measure of how fast the gas moves through the tube. Rubber doesn’t have a very high porosity, i.e. it doesn’t have many holes in it. But what holes it does have let the gas pass through fairly quickly…i.e. high permeability.
__________________
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
#19
Mad bike riding scientist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 27,369
Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones
Mentioned: 152 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6222 Post(s)
Liked 4,222 Times
in
2,368 Posts
Inner tubes are not responsible for maintaining high pressure. They are confined in place by the rim and tire. In fact, the least reliable inner tubes I have ever used were quite expensive. They were lightweight Scwalbe inner tubes that I bought when the distributor I worked for at the time had lost Scwalbe as a client
Fick’s Law is what describes how gas diffuses across a membrane. It says
Fick's First Law states that 'the rate of "diffusion (e.g. of a vapour) is proportional to the surface area and the concentration difference, it is inversely proportional to the thickness of the membrane".
__________________
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
#20
Happy With My Bikes
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 2,187
Bikes: Hi-Ten bike boomers, a Trek Domane and some projects
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 884 Post(s)
Liked 2,308 Times
in
1,118 Posts
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2022
Location: USA - Southwest PA
Posts: 3,100
Bikes: Cannondale - Gary Fisher - Giant - Litespeed - Schwinn Paramount - Schwinn (lugged steel) - Trek OCLV
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1401 Post(s)
Liked 1,886 Times
in
1,085 Posts
on one bike switched to Schwalbe lightweight butyl tubes and they appear to lose air pressure a tad quicker than the standard Schwalbe butyl tubes
the Schwalbe Aerothan TPU tubes might retain air pressure as well or better than the Schwalbe lightweight butyl tubes (tough to make accurate comparison given our variables)
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2022
Location: USA - Southwest PA
Posts: 3,100
Bikes: Cannondale - Gary Fisher - Giant - Litespeed - Schwinn Paramount - Schwinn (lugged steel) - Trek OCLV
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1401 Post(s)
Liked 1,886 Times
in
1,085 Posts
I’ve had both good and bad luck with inexpensive 20” tubes
the one bad luck :
replaced original tires on a late 60’s Stingray so I thought it would be a good idea to replace the original tubes - especially because the original tubes were just about fused to the rust covered rubber rim strips and rims
one of the new tubes failed quickly - blew apart at a seam (? can’t recall exactly) ... so back to the original rust covered tubes lol
the one bad luck :
replaced original tires on a late 60’s Stingray so I thought it would be a good idea to replace the original tubes - especially because the original tubes were just about fused to the rust covered rubber rim strips and rims
one of the new tubes failed quickly - blew apart at a seam (? can’t recall exactly) ... so back to the original rust covered tubes lol
#24
Mad bike riding scientist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 27,369
Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones
Mentioned: 152 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6222 Post(s)
Liked 4,222 Times
in
2,368 Posts
recently observed this
on one bike switched to Schwalbe lightweight butyl tubes and they appear to lose air pressure a tad quicker than the standard Schwalbe butyl tubes
the Schwalbe Aerothan TPU tubes might retain air pressure as well or better than the Schwalbe lightweight butyl tubes (tough to make accurate comparison given our variables)
on one bike switched to Schwalbe lightweight butyl tubes and they appear to lose air pressure a tad quicker than the standard Schwalbe butyl tubes
the Schwalbe Aerothan TPU tubes might retain air pressure as well or better than the Schwalbe lightweight butyl tubes (tough to make accurate comparison given our variables)
__________________
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!