Reliable tubes? Bogus reviews? [ama zon]
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Reliable tubes? Bogus reviews? [ama zon]
Hi! I am trying to order a few more 700c 18-23 tubes. So, I go look at ama zon. So, I go look at reviews.
Cheez-Whiz! Don't any of these tubes have consistently good reviews? It is scary and discouraging to read negative reviews So many people for so many tubes claim they had pinholes immediately or quickly at the valve area, or otherwise had flaws.
Is this reflecting reality? Is one band placing fake reviews on all the other brands? Is this people who don't know how to replace a tube? Any thoughts?
Cheez-Whiz! Don't any of these tubes have consistently good reviews? It is scary and discouraging to read negative reviews So many people for so many tubes claim they had pinholes immediately or quickly at the valve area, or otherwise had flaws.
Is this reflecting reality? Is one band placing fake reviews on all the other brands? Is this people who don't know how to replace a tube? Any thoughts?
#2
Senior Member
Tubes are hit or miss. Even top brands can sell faulty tubes. I "generally" have had good and fairly consistent results with Michelin and Continental tubes though. They do cost more but seem to hold up well. As far as tube failure (not a common puncture flat), most failures I think are user-induced during installation.
My favorite, but their quality is all over the place, are Challenge latex tubes. Coupled with Challenge "Open tubular" tires, they provide an incredible ride. But darn, their tube quality is frustrating... If I can't get a good Challenge tube, I use a Michelin or a Continental.
-
My favorite, but their quality is all over the place, are Challenge latex tubes. Coupled with Challenge "Open tubular" tires, they provide an incredible ride. But darn, their tube quality is frustrating... If I can't get a good Challenge tube, I use a Michelin or a Continental.
-
Last edited by drlogik; 08-26-20 at 08:29 PM.
Likes For drlogik:
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Baltimore, MD
Posts: 5,371
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2482 Post(s)
Liked 2,952 Times
in
1,677 Posts
Bike stores almost universally use the cheapest bulk-order tubes and do hundreds of flat repairs per year, with few or no tube failures. In other words, yes, most tube failures are from user error.
Likes For Trakhak:
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: South Wales
Posts: 206
Bikes: 2016 Trek Emonda S6 frameset, custom build (road). 1995 Dawes Genesis Reynolds 531 Competition frameset, custom build (road). 1996 Orange C16R frameset, custom build (retro MTB). Coyote Dual hard-tail, custom build (MTB).
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 61 Post(s)
Liked 76 Times
in
55 Posts
I've done 1700 miles since April with inner tunes bought from ebay. All branded Contis, Schwalbe and Michelin. No issues with them at all. Had two punctures with stone chips but was due to a well worn tyre that had seen better days...Just trying to eek out a few more miles from it before I replaced it. I never read the reviews on them. It's surprising how many people with bicycle can't fit an inner tube...
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Mission Viejo
Posts: 5,805
Bikes: 1986 Cannondale SR400 (Flat bar commuter), 1988 Cannondale Criterium XTR, 1992 Serotta T-Max, 1995 Trek 970
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1943 Post(s)
Liked 2,164 Times
in
1,323 Posts
I used to buy whatever tubes were on sale. It was hit or miss. I now only use Michelin A1 Airstop butyl tubes. I have used them for years.
John
John
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 518
Bikes: 2004 Trek 520, resto-modded 1987 Cannondale SR400, rando-modded 1976 AD Vent Noir; 2019 Wabi Classic; 1989? Burley Duet
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 213 Post(s)
Liked 93 Times
in
51 Posts
Of all the hundreds of tubes I’ve helped people change at the bike co-op, I saw maybe one that was defective out of the box. These were cheap QBP “Q Tubes.”
More than a few instances of people accidentally puncturing it on installation, though.
More than a few instances of people accidentally puncturing it on installation, though.
Last edited by samkl; 08-27-20 at 09:43 AM.
Likes For samkl:
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Roswell, GA
Posts: 8,319
Bikes: '93 Trek 750, '92 Schwinn Crisscross, '93 Mongoose Alta
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1438 Post(s)
Liked 1,092 Times
in
723 Posts
Tubes are hit or miss. Even top brands can sell faulty tubes. I "generally" have had good and fairly consistent results with Michelin and Continental tubes though. They do cost more but seem to hold up well. As far as tube failure (not a common puncture flat), most failures I think are user-induced during installation.
My favorite, but their quality is all over the place, are Challenge latex tubes. Coupled with Challenge "Open tubular" tires, they provide an incredible ride. But darn, their tube quality is frustrating... If I can't get a good Challenge tube, I use a Michelin or a Continental.
-
My favorite, but their quality is all over the place, are Challenge latex tubes. Coupled with Challenge "Open tubular" tires, they provide an incredible ride. But darn, their tube quality is frustrating... If I can't get a good Challenge tube, I use a Michelin or a Continental.
-
Likes For dsbrantjr:
#8
Half way there
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 2,956
Bikes: Many, and the list changes frequently
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 986 Post(s)
Liked 880 Times
in
527 Posts
I've only had one bad tube in 5 decades of riding. I generally buy the cheapest I can find. New tubes that are "faulty" upon installation are generally the result of either sloppy mounting, existing problem with the rim, or failure to seat the tire bead properly.
Likes For Moe Zhoost:
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 2,599
Bikes: 06 Lemond Reno, 98 GT Timberline mtn.bike
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 427 Post(s)
Liked 699 Times
in
436 Posts
You'll do much better getting advice on products on this forum than from online retailers. It's said that a person who doesn't like a product will tell 10 people (don't remember where I heard this), while someone satisfied with a products doesn't bother telling anyone. I know if I need an opinion on a product, I'd either come to this forum, or ask some local riders or workers I'm familiar with in some of the LBS's. Just feel like I'd be able to trust the opinion more than if found from an online retailer.
Likes For freeranger:
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,595
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 608 Post(s)
Liked 352 Times
in
225 Posts
I stopped purchasing, no name or store brand tubes, too many problems. Now I use Schwalbe tubes. They cost more but I have yet to get a bad one. With tubes in my city in short supply I have been patching more than I would like on each tube.
#11
Banned
I buy locally not online.. yea why not go with EU Brands? Continental Schwalbe Michelin ...
Likes For fietsbob:
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: San Jose (Willow Glen) Ca
Posts: 9,842
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: 2337 Post(s)
Liked 2,820 Times
in
1,540 Posts
Since i started using Conti (continental) tubes i have had way fewer problems for the price of a tube vs the hassle of flats buying cheap is no a good value IME
__________________
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 squirtdad:
#13
Banned
Local shop buys a lot of stock from J&B imports.. , they use the Sunlite brand , so not no-name.. sunlite.bike..
Kew Gardens may have a few rubber trees, but not a commercial forest worth.. kind of a tropical plant..
Kew Gardens may have a few rubber trees, but not a commercial forest worth.. kind of a tropical plant..
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 1,606
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 581 Post(s)
Liked 921 Times
in
518 Posts
Over the ~16 years I spent working in bike shops, I think I may have seen one 'defective' tube. I have seen many cheap tubes fail due to rough handling during installation or inflation, and many fail due to not properly locating the cause of the puncture.
I have more recently noticed, however, that some of the cheap tubes branded by their distributors (MEC tubes in Canada, for instance) are of low enough quality that makes all other causes of punctures more likely.
As others have said, the name brand tubes like Conti and Michelin are generally very good. I have had good luck with Specialized tubes, ironically, because I have seen many defective Specialized tires.
I have more recently noticed, however, that some of the cheap tubes branded by their distributors (MEC tubes in Canada, for instance) are of low enough quality that makes all other causes of punctures more likely.
As others have said, the name brand tubes like Conti and Michelin are generally very good. I have had good luck with Specialized tubes, ironically, because I have seen many defective Specialized tires.
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 1,606
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 581 Post(s)
Liked 921 Times
in
518 Posts
…. also, if a tube is known to be good (non-defective), and you get a puncture from road debris or a damaged rim tape, properly patching the puncture with a glue-and-patch patch kit (not 'glueless' or 'instant' patches, which are good for emergencies only imo) leaves you with the same known good tube.
Likes For ClydeClydeson:
#16
Clark W. Griswold
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: ,location, location
Posts: 13,500
Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26
Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4346 Post(s)
Liked 3,983 Times
in
2,661 Posts
I rarely see defective tubes but then again I don't use no-name tubes and neither does any of the shops I have worked for.
However for personal use I prefer to use Continental tubes, sure they cost a few extra bucks but the rarity which I go through them is worth it.
However for personal use I prefer to use Continental tubes, sure they cost a few extra bucks but the rarity which I go through them is worth it.
#17
Advocatus Diaboli
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Wherever I am
Posts: 8,633
Bikes: Merlin Cyrene, Nashbar steel CX
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4731 Post(s)
Liked 1,531 Times
in
1,002 Posts
Likes For Sy Reene:
#19
Senior Member
I was looking on Amazon the other day for tubes and was thinking the same thing. None of them get steller ratings, no matter the brand or price. I ended up going to REI and got a couple of tubes, cheaper them Amazon, and nice people to talk to. got three spokes also, not the package of 36 that Amazon sells. What I find annoying also is the product reviews that are not for what the item is. They are reviewing something different, sometimes completely different, other times just a different variation.
#20
Half way there
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 2,956
Bikes: Many, and the list changes frequently
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 986 Post(s)
Liked 880 Times
in
527 Posts
…. also, if a tube is known to be good (non-defective), and you get a puncture from road debris or a damaged rim tape, properly patching the puncture with a glue-and-patch patch kit (not 'glueless' or 'instant' patches, which are good for emergencies only imo) leaves you with the same known good tube.
Likes For Moe Zhoost:
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Maryland
Posts: 1,380
Bikes: 1982 Bianchi Sport SX, Rayleigh Tamland 1, Rans V-Rex recumbent, Fuji MTB, 80's Cannondale MTB with BBSHD ebike motor
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 668 Post(s)
Liked 529 Times
in
355 Posts
I actually had a defective tube the other day. Bought the bike a year ago, changed out a flat and the pinhole was on the rim side right in the middle of a freckle sized thin spot in the rubber. kenda tube I believe.
I like my conti tubes as well but sometimes wonder why I buy them instead of something cheaper. Never had one with a fancy orange cap that I can recall.
I like my conti tubes as well but sometimes wonder why I buy them instead of something cheaper. Never had one with a fancy orange cap that I can recall.
#22
Junior Member
Schwalbe tubes have always worked pretty well for me. The quality has been pretty consistent over the years.....at least in my experience
#24
Senior Member
On a site like Amazon a lot of bad tube reviews are probably because people suck at doing flat changes and/or are bad at understanding probability. It's easy to blow a tube by not seating the bead of the tire correctly, and it's easy for a tube to puncture when you've left something sharp protruding through the tire, or if the rim tape is installed incorrectly, etc. Tubes are mostly unrelated to flat resistance, and people have a hard time understanding that your probability of a flat is even for every mile ridden--there's no reason you can't get a puncture in the first mile, and it has nothing to do with the quality of your tubes.
Working as a mechanic I've almost never seen faulty new tubes from brands that would be for sale through distributors to bike shops. Perhaps avoid the no-name brands you've never heard of? They're likely to be fine, but if there are bad tubes out there that's where they'd be.
I personally tend to buy whatever major brand tubes are on the lighter side and less expensive given that. For rarely-needed spare tubes, I've recently been carrying Turbolito tubes. Super friggin' expensive, but it's nice having something stupid light and compact to throw in the pocket or tape to my MTB.
Working as a mechanic I've almost never seen faulty new tubes from brands that would be for sale through distributors to bike shops. Perhaps avoid the no-name brands you've never heard of? They're likely to be fine, but if there are bad tubes out there that's where they'd be.
I personally tend to buy whatever major brand tubes are on the lighter side and less expensive given that. For rarely-needed spare tubes, I've recently been carrying Turbolito tubes. Super friggin' expensive, but it's nice having something stupid light and compact to throw in the pocket or tape to my MTB.
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Baltimore, MD
Posts: 5,371
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2482 Post(s)
Liked 2,952 Times
in
1,677 Posts
Freckled-sized thin spot in an older tube on rim side, with pinhole puncture: not likely a defective tube. I'd look at/replace the rim strip.