Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > General Cycling Discussion
Reload this Page >

Are we going to run out of tubes?

Notices
General Cycling Discussion Have a cycling related question or comment that doesn't fit in one of the other specialty forums? Drop on in and post in here! When possible, please select the forum above that most fits your post!

Are we going to run out of tubes?

Old 03-26-21, 09:39 AM
  #1  
Sharkasaurus
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Mar 2021
Posts: 13
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
Are we going to run out of tubes?

Just checking in. I was buying some tubes at the local MEC (big bike place where I live) and the staff told me they were running out... and might actually run out during the summer.

I live in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Last year bikes were almost impossible to find. Sold out at stores. Classifieds were almost empty. I think it was because of covid, but the city has invested a ton into bike lanes and the core city is far more manageable for bikes.

Are other city's like this? Or is it just Calgary?
Sharkasaurus is offline  
Likes For Sharkasaurus:
Old 03-26-21, 10:50 AM
  #2  
msu2001la
Senior Member
 
msu2001la's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Chicago, IL, USA
Posts: 2,870
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1455 Post(s)
Liked 1,477 Times in 867 Posts
I don't know about tubes specifically, but the general availability of bikes and parts has been and will continue to be difficult for a while.
COVID screwed up a lot of things with production and shipping and I doubt it'll get fixed anytime soon.
msu2001la is offline  
Old 03-26-21, 10:52 AM
  #3  
cbrstar
BMX Connoisseur
 
cbrstar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Canada
Posts: 774

Bikes: 1988 Kuwahara Newport, 1983 Nishiki, 1984 Diamond Back Viper, 1991 Dyno Compe

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 399 Post(s)
Liked 108 Times in 69 Posts
I'm in Edmonton and I haven't ran into that problem yet. I heard that there was going to be a rubber shortage this year. But MEC hasn't been well stocked on anything since they tried selling the store. I would try calling the other bike stores and It might not hurt to buy a extra set and stock up for the season. The only other thing I did hear from one of the big bike stores was that a container of bike parts was lost at sea so they are low on all parts. Who knows?
cbrstar is offline  
Old 03-26-21, 11:01 AM
  #4  
Iride01 
I'm good to go!
 
Iride01's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 14,869

Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020

Mentioned: 51 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6124 Post(s)
Liked 4,758 Times in 3,281 Posts
I can just imagine us tuber's sitting on the side of the road while the tubeless crowd thumb their nose as they go by. <grin>
Iride01 is offline  
Likes For Iride01:
Old 03-26-21, 11:19 AM
  #5  
WhyFi
Senior Member
 
WhyFi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: TC, MN
Posts: 39,505

Bikes: R3 Disc, Haanjo

Mentioned: 353 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 20791 Post(s)
Liked 9,436 Times in 4,663 Posts
What's a tube?
WhyFi is offline  
Likes For WhyFi:
Old 03-26-21, 11:24 AM
  #6  
Wildwood 
Veteran, Pacifist
 
Wildwood's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Seattle area
Posts: 13,327

Bikes: Bikes??? Thought this was social media?!?

Mentioned: 284 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3891 Post(s)
Liked 4,814 Times in 2,224 Posts
I’m loaded with tubulars.
Guess I can Ride this one out.
__________________
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Wildwood is offline  
Old 03-26-21, 12:48 PM
  #7  
ofajen
Cheerfully low end
 
ofajen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,971
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 644 Post(s)
Liked 1,043 Times in 666 Posts
Originally Posted by UCantTouchThis
I have a stash of about 20 tubes and with patches, I got enough till someone invents tubeless tires!
That’s crazy talk! Never gonna happen. I was thinking of going back to solid rubber tires. 😊

Otto
ofajen is offline  
Likes For ofajen:
Old 03-26-21, 12:55 PM
  #8  
cloud
Newbie
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 74
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 52 Post(s)
Liked 28 Times in 16 Posts
Just got 6 tubes in the mail today .Had to get them off of Amazon because nashbar did not have them in stock. I think I paid $36.00. Ordered them about 6pm yesterday and they were at my for by 2 today.
cloud is offline  
Likes For cloud:
Old 03-26-21, 03:09 PM
  #9  
pdlamb
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: northern Deep South
Posts: 8,864

Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee

Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2586 Post(s)
Liked 1,911 Times in 1,198 Posts
Some of us won't run out of tubes until we run out of patches and glue.
pdlamb is offline  
Likes For pdlamb:
Old 03-26-21, 03:19 PM
  #10  
Troul 
Senior Member
 
Troul's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Mich
Posts: 7,323

Bikes: RSO E-tire dropper fixie brifter

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 2,926 Times in 1,894 Posts
I doubt a shortage will happen to cause cyclists in becoming tubeless.
__________________
-Oh Hey!
Troul is offline  
Old 03-26-21, 04:23 PM
  #11  
genejockey 
Klaatu..Verata..Necktie?
 
genejockey's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 17,856

Bikes: Litespeed Ultimate, Ultegra; Canyon Endurace, 105; Battaglin MAX, Chorus; Bianchi 928 Veloce; Ritchey Road Logic, Dura Ace; Cannondale R500 RX100; Schwinn Circuit, Sante; Lotus Supreme, Dura Ace

Mentioned: 41 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10364 Post(s)
Liked 11,792 Times in 6,033 Posts
Patches? We don't need no stinkin' patches!

Interestingly, by responding to the rumors of low stocks of tubes by buying up as many tubes as we can lay our hands on, we exacerbate the shortage. I personally have laid in a supply of tubes, patches, chains, cables, and, to be honest, bikes sufficient to see me through.
__________________
"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."

"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles
genejockey is offline  
Old 03-26-21, 04:27 PM
  #12  
Troul 
Senior Member
 
Troul's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Mich
Posts: 7,323

Bikes: RSO E-tire dropper fixie brifter

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 2,926 Times in 1,894 Posts
Originally Posted by Cheez
The stimulus money they give you is for you to pay past due rent/mortgage/utilities and credit card bills...not really meant to buy toys.
have you heard of wish, amazon, fans, ebay, online betting? The trendy resource hogs, both time & of money!
__________________
-Oh Hey!
Troul is offline  
Old 03-26-21, 05:05 PM
  #13  
bondaroo
Newbie
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 10

Bikes: 2023 Kona Rove AL 650b; 2021 Specialized Rockhopper Elite; 2005 Kona Hahanna; 2018 Specialized Crosstrail

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times in 4 Posts
I bought a mountain bike in Winnipeg a couple of weeks ago, and the sales guy went to grab me a spare tube as an add-on, and they didn't have any 29". I just checked their website, and still really limited. Hmm. I figured is was just one of those things that happens with retail. Didn't realize it might be a long-term issue.

Last edited by bondaroo; 03-26-21 at 05:10 PM.
bondaroo is offline  
Old 03-26-21, 05:10 PM
  #14  
bOsscO
bOsscO
 
bOsscO's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 749

Bikes: 2015 Norco Search S1, 93 Mongoose IBOC COMP

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 294 Post(s)
Liked 355 Times in 212 Posts
As cbrstar hinted at, this is most likely an MEC issue not a general issue.
bOsscO is offline  
Old 03-26-21, 06:05 PM
  #15  
bruce19
Senior Member
 
bruce19's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Lebanon (Liberty Hill), CT
Posts: 8,456

Bikes: CAAD 12, MASI Gran Criterium S, Colnago World Cup CX & Guru steel

Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1722 Post(s)
Liked 1,272 Times in 734 Posts
Cool. I've gone tubeless. But, I do have tubes I would sell at $50 each.
bruce19 is offline  
Old 03-26-21, 06:07 PM
  #16  
tyrion
Senior Member
 
tyrion's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 4,077

Bikes: Velo Orange Piolet

Mentioned: 28 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2228 Post(s)
Liked 2,011 Times in 972 Posts
We've discovered we don't need tubes. It was all a hoax.
tyrion is offline  
Likes For tyrion:
Old 03-26-21, 06:25 PM
  #17  
Troul 
Senior Member
 
Troul's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Mich
Posts: 7,323

Bikes: RSO E-tire dropper fixie brifter

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 2,926 Times in 1,894 Posts
if you inject the slime vac, then follow-up with a booster sealant vac, the old tubes may still be able to hold air. How much, for how long, & how to go about it is TBD.
__________________
-Oh Hey!
Troul is offline  
Old 03-26-21, 06:37 PM
  #18  
gringomojado
Full Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 475
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 200 Post(s)
Liked 136 Times in 86 Posts
stuff tires with toilet paper!
gringomojado is offline  
Old 03-26-21, 06:40 PM
  #19  
Troul 
Senior Member
 
Troul's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Mich
Posts: 7,323

Bikes: RSO E-tire dropper fixie brifter

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 2,926 Times in 1,894 Posts
Originally Posted by gringomojado
stuff tires with toilet paper!
that crap is too expensive!
__________________
-Oh Hey!
Troul is offline  
Old 03-26-21, 07:06 PM
  #20  
bruce19
Senior Member
 
bruce19's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Lebanon (Liberty Hill), CT
Posts: 8,456

Bikes: CAAD 12, MASI Gran Criterium S, Colnago World Cup CX & Guru steel

Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1722 Post(s)
Liked 1,272 Times in 734 Posts
Originally Posted by tyrion
We've discovered we don't need tubes. It was all a hoax.
I heard there's a hoax vaccine.
bruce19 is offline  
Old 03-26-21, 07:26 PM
  #21  
Troul 
Senior Member
 
Troul's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Mich
Posts: 7,323

Bikes: RSO E-tire dropper fixie brifter

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 2,926 Times in 1,894 Posts
fake news
__________________
-Oh Hey!
Troul is offline  
Old 03-26-21, 07:30 PM
  #22  
tyrion
Senior Member
 
tyrion's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 4,077

Bikes: Velo Orange Piolet

Mentioned: 28 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2228 Post(s)
Liked 2,011 Times in 972 Posts
Originally Posted by bruce19
I heard there's a hoax vaccine.
Yes, it's nothing but saline solution with nanoscopic tracking devices.
tyrion is offline  
Likes For tyrion:
Old 03-26-21, 07:33 PM
  #23  
Troul 
Senior Member
 
Troul's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Mich
Posts: 7,323

Bikes: RSO E-tire dropper fixie brifter

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 2,926 Times in 1,894 Posts
that explains why some vehicle manufacturers are without chips. Transporting them in the tubes!
__________________
-Oh Hey!
Troul is offline  
Old 03-26-21, 08:19 PM
  #24  
indyfabz
Senior Member
 
indyfabz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,163
Mentioned: 211 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18372 Post(s)
Liked 15,419 Times in 7,285 Posts
Originally Posted by cloud
Just got 6 tubes in the mail today .Had to get them off of Amazon because nashbar did not have them in stock. I think I paid $36.00. Ordered them about 6pm yesterday and they were at my for by 2 today.
One can never have too many tubes.

indyfabz is offline  
Likes For indyfabz:
Old 03-26-21, 09:06 PM
  #25  
flangehead
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 907

Bikes: 2017 Co-op ADV 1.1; ~1991 Novara Arriba; 1990 Fuji Palisade; mid-90's Moots Tandem; 1985 Performance Superbe

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 387 Post(s)
Liked 564 Times in 329 Posts
Originally Posted by pdlamb
Some of us won't run out of tubes until we run out of patches and glue.
Except for those pesky leaks at the valve stem.. my latest flat....
flangehead is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.