Inner tubes-are they all the same quality?

[User6179]

That's what I do and also never had an issue.

Is the halford tubes the ones with lots of seams on them that makes them a bugger to patch ?

 

[Slick]

Is the halford tubes the ones with lots of seams on them that makes them a bugger to patch ?

Yeah, that bit is probably true but they can be patched.

 

[User6179]

Yeah, that bit is probably true but they can be patched.

Had a few tubes from Halfords but couldn't remember if they were halfords own make or not.

 

[nickyboy]

I just stock up on Halfords own when they're on offer (5 for £10, etc), not had a problem so far.

I had one poor incident with a halfords tube when I had a puncture and the valve of the replacement was faulty and thus I was stranded

So now I have a little practice inflate with my spare tube I carry with me. It's a pain to unwrap the neat packing and it never folds up as well again. But not as much of a pain as having to call out International Rescue

 

[Globalti]

You can fold a tube down flat if you depress the titty with your bottom teeth while sucking out the air; it will go flat and you can roll it tight, valve inside, then tape it into a small tight bundle. Every few months I collect the repaired tubes, which have been hanging semi-inflated to test them and I flatten and roll a new batch. For my summer bike, which doesn't have a saddlebag, I tape the tube up with a pair of plastic tyre levers and keep them in a jersey pocket.

 

[youngoldbloke]

I buy the lightest I can find with smooth valve stems, when on offer at a sensible price - below £3, say. Favorites ATM Mavic and Michelin. TBH don't find it makes ANY difference puncture-wise.

 

[youngoldbloke]

This is how I fold them https://roadcyclinguk.com/how-to/ma...be-folding-technique.html#AAEci6Ddi6zL24Sa.97

 

[bonzobanana]

Many of the bike brands and some of the tyre brands have their inner tubes made by Kenda which are very good quality. I must admit I've used poundland inner tubes without problems and if you have a Decathlon store near they do cheap tubes to but don't know the quality.

Had a quick look on alibaba just to see what the factory door price was and seems to range from 20 cents for unbranded to maybe 50 cents for kenda. Presumably the smallest size. So there doesn't look like any reason a good inner tube couldn't retail for £2 or less if you buy from a high turnover, low margin business like Poundland or similar. I recently bought some Giant/Kenda inner tubes sub £2 and are great quality. I personally wouldn't pay more than £2 for an inner tube.

 

[bpsmith]

There have been a couple of bad batches sent out with loose cores. Easily fixed once you realise but extremely annoying until then.

So not a design flaw at all, just a case of tightening them up. Major issue if you’re unaware and caught out in the road.

Might explain why one of the tyres on my newer bike has been slowly losing air. Will check that later.

 

[bpsmith]

Many of the bike brands and some of the tyre brands have their inner tubes made by Kenda which are very good quality. I must admit I've used poundland inner tubes without problems and if you have a Decathlon store near they do cheap tubes to but don't know the quality.

Had a quick look on alibaba just to see what the factory door price was and seems to range from 20 cents for unbranded to maybe 50 cents for kenda. Presumably the smallest size. So there doesn't look like any reason a good inner tube couldn't retail for £2 or less if you buy from a high turnover, low margin business like Poundland or similar. I recently bought some Giant/Kenda inner tubes sub £2 and are great quality. I personally wouldn't pay more than £2 for an inner tube.

There’s no way in the world that Poundland are selling you 50 cent tubes. No question that they’re 20 cent versions or even cheaper.

 

[youngoldbloke]

So not a design flaw at all, just a case of tightening them up. Major issue if you’re unaware and caught out in the road.

Might explain why one of the tyres on my newer bike has been slowly losing air. Will check that later.

They should incude a valve key with the tube. Wouldn't think they'd cost more than a fraction of a penny bought by the 1000s.

 

[Blue Hills]

Schwalbe claim each tube is pressure tested before leaving the factory, which might be marketing puff but it impressed me enough to make them my first choice.

.

Yes i vaguely remember hearing that. Impressive if true. Sure you aren't thinking of your condom stash though?

Tubes, used to use spesh and found ok. Now tend to use vavert from planet x when on offer. But i need very few tubes, get few punctures, and always repair well.

I definitely avoid any described as lightweight. Just as i avoid light beer.

 

[bpsmith]

I recently got a cracking deal on a pair of Vittoria Corsa G+. They came with a pair of Latex tubes which I will try out in the Summer. Should be interesting!

 

[Bonefish Blues]

Schwalbe claim each tube is pressure tested before leaving the factory, which might be marketing puff but it impressed me enough to make them my first choice.

I see what you did there.

 

[youngoldbloke]

Latex are great. Used with tyres like GP4000s you can hear the difference. Sound almost like tubs! BUT you've got be prepared to pump them up before every ride, they'll lose 10psi or more overnight. I've often wondered how much pressure the Pro's tyres lose by the end of a long stage.