Inner tube question.

[EckyH]

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

Think of the inner tube as just more rubber on the inside of the tyre. More energy is necessary to deform the additional rubber. An aggravating factor is the movement between the inner tube and the tyre. Depending on the circumstances like friction coefficient between these two sorts of rubber it can require even more energy.

E.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

Think of the inner tube as just more rubber on the inside of the tyre. More energy is necessary to deform the additional rubber. An aggravating factor is the movement between the inner tube and the tyre. Depending on the circumstances like friction coefficient between these two sorts of rubber it can require even more energy.

E.

Anyone know any figures on that

Asking because a "major difference" for a "proper racing bike" on a training run
might be a "nothing important" for a hybrid out for a tootle in the country

 

[EckyH]

Anyone know any figures on that

Jarno Bierman knows: https://www.bicyclerollingresistance.com/specials/cx-gravel-tubes-vs-tubeless
There are the absolute values of an - imho - average inner tube, in terms of quality, rubber thickness, price, weight etc.

Iirc the rolling resistance is linear proportional with speed. Therefore the values in the article can be easily extrapolated to other speeds.

Asking because a "major difference" for a "proper racing bike" on a training run
might be a "nothing important" for a hybrid out for a tootle in the country.

Exactly.

E.

PS: In my opinion his conclusion has to be understand solely in that kind of comparisons he made: A tubeless tyre with and the self-same tyre without an inner tube. This conclusion has no specific validity for any other combination of a - unfortunately only hypothetical - high end tube type tyre with a high end latex or TPU inner tube.

 

[midlandsgrimpeur]

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.

I have a mate I cycle with and I am a fair bit fitter. For the first six months, every time we went cycling he genuinely couldn't work out why he struggled to keep up, he had every excuse under the sun; bike problems, not enough breakfast, dehydrated, too warm, too cold. Eventually the penny dropped and he said "you're just on another level to me aren't you?" 😂

 

[esoxlucius]

I have a mate I cycle with and I am a fair bit fitter. For the first six months, every time we went cycling he genuinely couldn't work out why he struggled to keep up, he had every excuse under the sun; bike problems, not enough breakfast, dehydrated, too warm, too cold. Eventually the penny dropped and he said "you're just on another level to me aren't you?" 😂

I'd make hay whilst the sun shines on that one. When your mate catches up to you, or god forbid, surpasses you, then you'll be the one in the excuses market😁

 

[freiston]

I had some tubes a few years ago - I think they came fitted with the bike but I might be wrong. Years on when I was replacing the tyres, I struggled with the tubes because they seemed so big in the loop that I practically had to fold over a section to get them in the tyre. I always presumed they had stretched over the years with use (they were marked the correct size). In my 60s now and don't recall noticing this before or since.

 

[albion]

Might have been latex. (Rubber)

 

[esoxlucius]

Just slightly off topic, sort of. I broke one of my tyre levers when replacing the tube. I haven't bought tyre levers in years. Just wondering what type everyone has. There are plastic ones, metal ones (which I believe are frowned upon) and I came across some metal ones with a plastic outer coating.

Metal coated in plastic would seem to be the ideal choice. Inner strength for those tight tyres and outer protection for your rims. Thoughts?

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Anyone know any figures on that

Asking because a "major difference" for a "proper racing bike" on a training run
might be a "nothing important" for a hybrid out for a tootle in the country

Rolling resistance is also proportional to the weight of bike and rider. The heavier you and bike are, the higher the rolling resistance etc.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Just slightly off topic, sort of. I broke one of my tyre levers when replacing the tube. I haven't bought tyre levers in years. Just wondering what type everyone has. There are plastic ones, metal ones (which I believe are frowned upon) and I came across some metal ones with a plastic outer coating.

Metal coated in plastic would seem to be the ideal choice. Inner strength for those tight tyres and outer protection for your rims. Thoughts?

Do not overthink it. Just go down your local bike shop and see what they have in stock.

 

[lazybloke]

And you changed BOTH tubes!

Just as well, otherwise one wheel would be much slower than the other; awful handling!

 

[Pblakeney]

Just slightly off topic, sort of. I broke one of my tyre levers when replacing the tube. I haven't bought tyre levers in years. Just wondering what type everyone has. There are plastic ones, metal ones (which I believe are frowned upon) and I came across some metal ones with a plastic outer coating.

Metal coated in plastic would seem to be the ideal choice. Inner strength for those tight tyres and outer protection for your rims. Thoughts?

https://www.merlincycles.com/pedros-tyre-lever-pair-90146.html

 

[Sharky]

Just slightly off topic, sort of. I broke one of my tyre levers when replacing the tube. I haven't bought tyre levers in years. Just wondering what type everyone has. There are plastic ones, metal ones (which I believe are frowned upon) and I came across some metal ones with a plastic outer coating.

Metal coated in plastic would seem to be the ideal choice. Inner strength for those tight tyres and outer protection for your rims. Thoughts?

Metal ones (3), with hooks, from Halfords!

I found the plastic ones are a bit thick to get under the tyre and a couple have broken in my hand.


These .....
https://share.google/4NkrnTBd2fNRMDW15

 

[rydabent]

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.

Tractors do have inner tubes, and yes they have fluid in them for weight and tractionl.

 

[Dogtrousers]

Just slightly off topic, sort of. I broke one of my tyre levers when replacing the tube. I haven't bought tyre levers in years. Just wondering what type everyone has. There are plastic ones, metal ones (which I believe are frowned upon) and I came across some metal ones with a plastic outer coating.

Metal coated in plastic would seem to be the ideal choice. Inner strength for those tight tyres and outer protection for your rims. Thoughts?

my favourites came free with a magazine. In fact, I probably only bought the magazine because it had free levers taped to it. So not really free at all.

They are chunky plastic ones