Inner tubes...

[rosscbrown]

..are they all the same or are some better than others? Had my first flat today and ended up pushing the bike home 6 miles because I went out without tools and tubes. I'll have to get an LBS to fix my flat tomorrow because I'm away from home and can't do it my self.

As I'm on a bit of a tight budget can I just take the cheapest tube the stock or should I spend a little money on a 'better' one?

 

[potsy]

..are they all the same or are some better than others? Had my first flat today and ended up pushing the bike home 6 miles because I went out without tools and tubes. I'll have to get an LBS to fix my flat tomorrow because I'm away from home and can't do it my self.

As I'm on a bit of a tight budget can I just take the cheapest tube the stock or should I spend a little money on a 'better' one?

LBS will want around £8 to supply and fit a new tube,when you say can't do it yourself do you mean you've no experience or lack of time/equipment?
I tend to stick with Bontrager or Schwalbe for tubes but I doubt there's a great deal of difference between a £3 one and a £5 one.

 

[rosscbrown]

When you say can't do it yourself do you mean you've no experience or lack of time/equipment?

Both - I've never done it before and I don't have tools or a pump where I am at the min. If I did I'd be all for giving it a go - how hard can it be?!

 

[potsy]

Both - I've never done it before and I don't have tools or a pump where I am at the min. If I did I'd be all for giving it a go - how hard can it be?!

Ah OK,been in my LBS before when someone has come in wheel in hand asking for their puncture to be fixed,it really is a 5-10 minute job and is well worth practicing at home before it happens out on the road.
Not only have you got the inconveniance of no bike til they fix it,it also works out quite expensive,some of us will bin a tube after 1 flat where as others will patch them til there's no room to add more.

 

[rosscbrown]

Now, in the harsh light of the morning after the night before, I have two new problems:

The tack that lead to my flat has also damaged the sidewall of the tyre as seen in exhibit one: Sidewall - how long can I cycle about in that, no money until payday :-(

Also, I picked up the take as I was moving from soft ground to harder ground. As such I didn't notice for a few minutes (it was getting dark and I still hard sunglasses on). This has resulted in some chipping to the rim of the tyre as seen in exhibit two: Chipping - I've run my finger around the rim and it it is not sharp in any places so I think this should be ok to run with - or do I need to replace the rim?

Unhappy times!

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

Now, in the harsh light of the morning after the night before, I have two new problems:

The tack that lead to my flat has also damaged the sidewall of the tyre as seen in exhibit one: Sidewall - how long can I cycle about in that, no money until payday :-(

Also, I picked up the take as I was moving from soft ground to harder ground. As such I didn't notice for a few minutes (it was getting dark and I still hard sunglasses on). This has resulted in some chipping to the rim of the tyre as seen in exhibit two: Chipping - I've run my finger around the rim and it it is not sharp in any places so I think this should be ok to run with - or do I need to replace the rim?

Unhappy times!

You might want to check your tyre's condition, when inflated, against the late great Sheldon's second condition for tyre replacement. I don't think the rim damage has any practical significance.

 

[HLaB]

After the tyre has failed its much of a muchness which tube you have in, it'll fail more expensive ones are just marginally lighter. I would however avoid spesh tubes I've had a couple of them snap at the valve base, apparently this is a common problem. If you are on a tight budget though it'd be cheaper to buy a new tube and repair kit and fix it yourself than going to a lbs. Unfortunately its a recurring event you'd also be cheaper to learn now. Good Luck

Sheldon does a good thread also (linked to by RAFN above). I cant remember if he says (he probably does) but I'd be more cautious if that the front wheel/ tyre.

 

[rosscbrown]

I want to my LBS, Leith Cycle Co, and had them fix me up. £8 for a continental tube and fitting. If I had tools in Edinburgh I could have saved my self the £4 fitting fee but not the end of the world.

Also got a new tyre - £15 was the cheapest that they had in the shop. It's a Schwalbe Land Cruiser tyre - I'll be looking to change it soon as it makes a pretty terrible noise on smooth ground.

 

[HLaB]

I want to my LBS, Leith Cycle Co, and had them fix me up. £8 for a continental tube and fitting. If I had tools in Edinburgh I could have saved my self the £4 fitting fee but not the end of the world.

Also got a new tyre - £15 was the cheapest that they had in the shop. It's a Schwalbe Land Cruiser tyre - I'll be looking to change it soon as it makes a pretty terrible noise on smooth ground.

You're sorted this time by the sounds of it but you'd be better of learning to do things, unfortunately its an all to common event £4 x 10, x 20, x etc

 

[rosscbrown]

I just need to get better organised - I live in two places so I could really do to move some bike tools up here. And get a saddle bag and start carring essential tools and consumables on the road :-)

 

[Blue Hills]

I used Specialized tubes - always found them good.

Am of the school that keeps patching until no longer possible.

Patches (Tip Top) are as good as original tyre if done properly.

Get to know one of the above-mentioned odd souls who never patches or patches only once and you need never buy another tube again.

Sppecialised tubes fairly often available in multi-buy deals, especially on line.

 

[tigger]

I don't rate Spec tubes at all - maybe there are bad batches out there? But seems to fail around the valve - also harder to fit than other tubes I've used, again around the valve area. They're also quite heavy compared to some others.

Vittoria Ultralite or Shwalbe seem pretty good and only about £2.50 each, much lighter too