Inner tube question.

[esoxlucius]

Just got a puncture on my bike and when I took the inner tube out it was a "700x18/25 thin".

I already had some 700x18/25C inner tubes so put one of those in as a replacement. They "seemed" quite similar.

But now I'm second guessing what I've done and need a bit of reassurance. Is the replacement ok, or do I really need to be replacing it with a proper "thin" one, like the one I took out?

Thanks for any advice.

 

[N0bodyOfTheGoat]

I expect the "thin" was a super light variant, for example like Continental Supersonic tubes.

If the new tube matches the tyre size, or isn't much smaller than the tyre size, it will be fine.

 

[midlandsgrimpeur]

What @N0bodyOfTheGoat said, just a lightweight variant and your replacement is the correct size so you are all good.

 

[esoxlucius]

Just did a bit more digging. Apparently the "thin" tube is indeed a bit of a "sportier" type tube, a little thinner and more lightweight than a standard 700 18/25C. The bike is a Merida Reacto, an aero bike, so the lightweight sporty tube is supposed to offer marginally better performance.

Looks like my performance is going to nose dive now I've put a tractor inner tube in instead of a proper one, lol.

 

[Sharky]

I've put a tractor inner tube in instead of a proper one, lol

Naaah
I don't think tractors have inner tubes and are often inflated with water!

I think you are ok with what you've done.

 

[si_c]

Just did a bit more digging. Apparently the "thin" tube is indeed a bit of a "sportier" type tube, a little thinner and more lightweight than a standard 700 18/25C. The bike is a Merida Reacto, an aero bike, so the lightweight sporty tube is supposed to offer marginally better performance.

Looks like my performance is going to nose dive now I've put a tractor inner tube in instead of a proper one, lol.

You'll likely spend another second or two on a 50 mile ride. Hardly worth worrying about performance tubes unless you race - my primary criteria is how many I can get for a tenner.

 

[albion]

I recently made use of oversized(width) tubes, in the knowledge I now have a thicker understretched tube for less air leakage and marginally more puncture protection.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

What make/model do people find best

I normally just get one from the LBS - they seem OK but i have no clue what make they are as he often puts them in for free!

 

[N0bodyOfTheGoat]

Usually Vittoria latex tubes, for the lower rolling resistance.

I'm waiting on delivery of my first MTB size one, 29x 1.7-2.3", to go with a 45mm Caracal Race.

 

[Dogtrousers]

What make/model do people find best

I normally just get one from the LBS - they seem OK but i have no clue what make they are as he often puts them in for free!

Never found any difference between makes. It's a bit of a binary thing, either they work or they don't. And pretty much all of the ones I've ever bought do work. Sometimes there are bad batches. Some have unscrewable valve cores, which - if you use a screw-on valve adapter - can have an annoying habit of unscrewing when you don't want them to. Continental tubes are like this. You may want to avoid these. Or maybe not.

So I get anything with a known brand name from a known, reputable seller. If it looks like a bargain it's probably not worth it.

You could go for TPU which have the advantage of folding up very small, but are dodgy when it comes to mending them. There are lots of threads on TPU tubes.

Just make sure you get the right valve stem length.

 

[Katana]

Just did a bit more digging. Apparently the "thin" tube is indeed a bit of a "sportier" type tube, a little thinner and more lightweight than a standard 700 18/25C. The bike is a Merida Reacto, an aero bike, so the lightweight sporty tube is supposed to offer marginally better performance.

Looks like my performance is going to nose dive now I've put a tractor inner tube in instead of a proper one, lol.

That explains drop in my performance since I changed both tubes and bike felt bit sluggish or maybe it’s just me🤔😂

 

[esoxlucius]

That explains drop in my performance since I changed both tubes and bike felt bit sluggish or maybe it’s just me🤔😂

I thought it was cycling law that if you have a drop off in performance you blame it on everything else except yourself! And you changed BOTH tubes! I'd take that as a win win, lol.

 

[Katana]

I thought it was cycling law that if you have a drop off in performance you blame it on everything else except yourself! And you changed BOTH tubes! I'd take that as a win win, lol.

😂👍🏻

 

[Vapin' Joe]

Don't underestimate the effect good quality lightweight tubes have on how a bicycle rides. Those pound shop specials may hold the air as well as anything else but they are about as supple as a lump of wood.

 

[esoxlucius]

Forgive my ignorance but if the inner tube is on the inside with no road surface contact, then how does that effect performance?

I get the importance of tyres but not so much inner tubes.