Is an inner tube an inner tube?

[DWiggy]

I've got myself a Lifeline multi pack and can say they are superb, no unexpect punctures and the quality top notch for the price.
use mine for commuting and get through about 140mile's a week and they are absolutely fine with my Gator Skins.

 

[Peteaud]

Park or Topeak patches - 100% fantastic.

 

[rich p]

Three one to the ayes if you ignore Ian's reviews. I think I'll risk it!

 

[cyberknight]

I ordered some of these too as i like to keep a couple in stock so i hope they are pk.just binned a tyre as the hole was on a raised join on the tube so i could not patch it properly.

 

[dellzeqq]

Three one to the ayes if you ignore Ian's reviews. I think I'll risk it!

that's what I like about you, Rich, you're a risk-taker.

 

[Dave Davenport]

that's what I like about you, Rich, you're a risk-taker.

Danger is his middle name.

 

[dellzeqq]

Rich knew that women couldn't resist the lure of cheap rubber..........

 

[rich p]

Ha! You boys!

 

[smutchin]

It may be a case of a bad batch or I've been unlucky but either way I've never had so many punctures using other tubes. Think I'll be going with the Specialised pack at Tredz to replace them unless any other deals on branded tubes come up.

Am I being a bit thick and/or missing something here? Surely the number of punctures you're getting is more to do with the tyres than the tubes? No inner tubes have puncture resistance, do they?

Btw, I'm sworn off Specialized tubes for life because of the number I've had that failed at the valve.

 

[Sittingduck]

+1 to the above. Had quite a few Specialized ones with busted valves. I have a pair of nice toothpaste coloured latex tubes earmarked for one of my pending and exciting cycling purchases. Until such time, I'll make do with my Lifeline ones and what ever else old tubes I have knocking around. Had success with Continental, B:Twin & Michelin Airstops in the past. Only Spesh seem to be dodgy and Airwave too.

 

[oldfatfool]

I bought these a little while ago and they were then £9 for 6 which really was a bargain. Since using them I was getting through one on each ride whether long or short and always on the same tyre, the front one. I've now had a puncture on all 6 of them and think the longest lasted about 130 odd miles over 2 rides where I think I got lucky. I repaired one the other night with a Park glueless patch to find it was flat by the morning again and so tried pumping it up again to leave over night outside of the tyre and it exploded on me. I won't be buying these or the Park glueless patches again as they both seem useless and worse as a combination.

The whole time I got through this pack of 6 I've had the same continental tube in my rear tyre which I would've expected to die at some point through all of these punctures I was picking up. I also changed from my Michelin Pro 4 tyres I was running to my stock Specialised Espoir tyres thinking it was an issue with the tyres which doesn't seem to be the case after getting further punctures since changing back.

It may be a case of a bad batch or I've been unlucky but either way I've never had so many punctures using other tubes. Think I'll be going with the Specialised pack at Tredz to replace them unless any other deals on branded tubes come up.

And this didn't tell you anything?

Also had a pack of these, no probs so far.

 

[DWiggy]

A couple of images to give you an idea of the quality

 

[Alexvs]

LOL! What did you expect?

Sorry by that I didn't mean I pumped it up as much as possible, I just put some air in it to see if there were any other punctures after fixing one, so was going to leave it and see if it went down but while checking the patch was correct and running my fingers over it, it exploded.

How did you apply the patch?
They work perfect if you use them correctly.

Same way I apply any patch, found the hole, deflated the tyre and applied. Pumped the tyre up when back on the bike and both times it's been flat by the next day. When I removed the tube the patch had bubbled up so leaked air. Not sure how else to apply it unless I'm being stupid?

Am I being a bit thick and/or missing something here? Surely the number of punctures you're getting is more to do with the tyres than the tubes? No inner tubes have puncture resistance, do they?

Btw, I'm sworn off Specialized tubes for life because of the number I've had that failed at the valve.

No you're not as you're right the tyre obviously has more to do with it then the tube but I've only only got punctures on the front tyre regardless whether I was using my Michelin Pro 4's or my stock Specialized tyres with these tubes and can't see any issues with either of the tyres. Probably just bad luck.

And this didn't tell you anything?

Also had a pack of these, no probs so far.

I wasn't very clear but as above I meant the front tyre but not the same tyre on as I've tried with both my Michelin tyres and my Specialized with the only common thing being the pack of tubes. I've inspected both tyres for cuts and holes but they seem fine. When I can afford it I may try a different tyre and save the Michelin's for summer but will see.

 

[ianrauk]

Same way I apply any patch, found the hole, deflated the tyre and applied. Pumped the tyre up when back on the bike and both times it's been flat by the next day. When I removed the tube the patch had bubbled up so leaked air. Not sure how else to apply it unless I'm being stupid?

Did you roughen with the sandpaper and clean the area to be patched?
You also need to press down hard on the patch for a good minute and do not inflate the tube outside of the tyre.

I have used Park Tools patches for years with no problems or failures.
It's just a case of making sure you apply them correctly the first time.

 

[Peteaud]

Did you roughen with the sandpaper and clean the area to be patched?
You also need to press down hard on the patch for a good minute and do not inflate the tube outside of the tyre.

I have used Park Tools patches for years with no problems or failures.
It's just a case of making sure you apply them correctly the first time.

I use the topeak ones (the lbs used to stock park and i think they are almost the same) and the only time i had one fail was down to me.

The area must be prepped as you say, i tried to be quick and not bother and it cost me big time. I also use co2 so i had to use 2 canisters.



As for tubes i now use michelin and so far so good.

I also dont use the threaded ones.