Are all inner tubes pretty much the same?

[HLaB]

?? I don't understand - how do you do this?

Wheels rotate! just rotate them so the stem is at the bottom

 

[yello]

I've got loads of spare tubes, all Conti. I tend to buy tyres in sets with tubes so have built up quite a stock of tubes. That also tells you that I rarely have problems with Conti tubes. (In fact, there's probably more danger of my stock perishing than there is of problems with the tubes in use!)

The only tube I've ever had problems with is Specialised and I now avoid them. Have also used Decathlon tubes without problem. Personally, I wouldn't buy cheaper than that because I think 'name' tubes are relatively inexpensive given how long they last (ime). So I'll stick with Conti for as long as my stash lasts.

 

[MontyVeda]

Don't know if this is still the case, but a couple of years ago the MTB tubes Wilkinsons sold as their own brand were actually Kenda tubes in different packaging. £2 for a Wilko box or £5 for a Kenda - that's made me very dubious about whether there's any difference between brands.

i stopped buying tubes from wilko a few years back after they all repeatedly failed where the valve meets the tube. Saying that, i do currently have a wilko tube in the back... but I don't expect it to last a lifetime.

 

[youngoldbloke]

Wheels rotate! just rotate them so the stem is at the bottom

I know that! Do you mean that you have the valve at 6 oclock when inflating the tyre? I tend to keep it at or near 12 o'clock, near the top, so that I can ease the chuck off with a thumb each side of the rim, pushing down, rather than yanking or pulling the chuck. How do you use a push-on hand pump with the valve at 6 o'clock?

 

[HLaB]

I know that! Do you mean that you have the valve at 6 oclock when inflating the tyre? I tend to keep it at or near 12 o'clock, near the top, so that I can ease the chuck off with a thumb each side of the rim, pushing down, rather than yanking or pulling the chuck. How do you use a push-on hand pump with the valve at 6 o'clock?

yip I find it easier to get all my pumps on when the valve is at the bottom, especially the hand pumps, I cant think there's much to it, its lined up square and I can apply a little bit of pressure safely if I need to. I've heard a lot of people also doing what you are doing but it doesn't regularly work for me, its fine coming off but I can't always get an airtight connection when I put it on.

 

[Peteaud]

Are all tubes the same? Pretty much, though I found the Schwalbe tubes hold their air better than others.

I have used them for a while and have not had a problem, the last kenda lost air over a week thru the valve.