Inner tubes-are they all the same quality?

[night cycler]

I intend getting a couple of spare tubes 700c x25. It occurred to me that maybe there are different quality tubes, just like there is with tyres.

The only thing I was thinking was that maybe some are made from slightly thicker rubber. Anyone know?

 

[HLaB]

There's not much difference in Butyl tubes IME, you can get lightweight version or even lighter latex tubes which are a bit more vulnerable but the standard butyl tubes for me are all the same.

 

[User6179]

Schwalbe seem slightly thicker than others and they hold air a lot longer than most, never had a core come loose either.

Edit- seen them for sale for £3.25 last week, cant remember where, maybe Halfords.

 

[Will Spin]

I don't know but I always buy mine from innertubeshop.com, they're significantly cheaper than the main brands and seem to last just as long.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

I've had a series of problems with Halfords own brand tubes (which unfortunately I still have a few of to use up ). The others I've tried seem to be much of a muchness.

 

[vickster]

Avoid continental with their flying valve cores!
Michelin seem ok, also Schwalbe
Halfords valves aren’t great

 

[alecstilleyedye]

maybe not tubes, but valves make a huge difference. vittoria ones don't hiss at all when being inflated, but cheaper tubes e.g. lifeline have valves that seem to leak as much air as goes in when pumping them up…

 

[night cycler]

Avoid continental with their flying valve cores!
Michelin seem ok, also Schwalbe
Halfords valves aren’t great

"Continental" was the brand of tyres that I had a probem with the Stitching unravelling.

 

[NorthernDave]

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

 

[Pale Rider]

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've inevitably acquired tubes from other makes, but I do always aim for branded by which I mean Continental, Michelin or some other maker of which I've previously heard.

 

[bpsmith]

Been using a batch of Continental Race 28’s for about 5 years now.

No flying valve cores for me.

Does sound rather dodgy though.

 

[mjr]

Impac are now owned by Schwalbe too and the tubes are good. Vavert tubes seem good.

I've bought some from inner tube shop and didn't like them much. I think the rubber came up the valve shoulder which always seems like a liability, risking wearing it in the hole edge over time.

Halfords current tubes seem pretty good but it's a very annoying shop.

 

[mjr]

Been using a batch of Continental Race 28’s for about 5 years now.

No flying valve cores for me.

Does sound rather dodgy though.

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

 

[Alan O]

Since getting back to cycling in 2016 after a lengthy absence, I've been impressed by how much longer my modern tubes hold the air pressure than the cheapos I used to buy in the past. They're Schwalbe ones now, and I think I'd always buy a well-respected brand than some of the cheapies you can get - I'm not as poor now as I was when I was a student, and I think paying a couple of quid more per tube is money well spent.

 

[Slick]

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

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