Road bike inner tubes

I'm looking into buying some inner tubes (700 x 26C Presta stem) for my road
bike online (LBS wants $7 per tube). I see some at performancebike.com that
range in price from $25 for 3 to $10 for 3.

Sadly, this site gives little description of the differences in tubes that
are 3 for $25 and those that are 3 for $10. Is it markeing hype or is there
some good reason to pay more?

On Mon, 13 Oct 2003 15:04:33 -0400, Roger Zoul
wrote:

I'm looking into buying some inner tubes (700 x 26C Presta stem) for my
road
bike online (LBS wants $7 per tube). I see some at performancebike.com
that
range in price from $25 for 3 to $10 for 3.

Sadly, this site gives little description of the differences in tubes
that
are 3 for $25 and those that are 3 for $10. Is it markeing hype or is
there
some good reason to pay more?




Personally, I buy the cheap ones and use tire liners. The more expensive
ones are supposedly more resistant to punctures and be lighter, but they
also tend to not hold air as long. For me, a few grams weight isn't much
difference (my Camelback can weigh many pounds during my ride), and I
rarely get enough flats to justify the expense. I think the last few I
bought were around $12 for five, and I paid about $10 for ONE tube from my
LBS. I can't tell the difference in tubes.

--
Bob M in CT
Remove 'x.' to reply

I agree with Bob. I cannot tell any difference between expensive and cheap
tubes for the type of riding I do (paved road). Perhaps a light weight tube
might be worth somewhat more to you, but in the grand scheme of things, a few
grams saved is really trivial except on extremely lightweight bike setups.

Perhaps expensive tubes have better valves, but I doubt it.

HTH,
Ernie

Bob M wrote:

On Mon, 13 Oct 2003 15:04:33 -0400, Roger Zoul
wrote:

I'm looking into buying some inner tubes (700 x 26C Presta stem) for my
road
bike online (LBS wants $7 per tube). I see some at performancebike.com
that
range in price from $25 for 3 to $10 for 3.

Sadly, this site gives little description of the differences in tubes
that
are 3 for $25 and those that are 3 for $10. Is it markeing hype or is
there
some good reason to pay more?




Personally, I buy the cheap ones and use tire liners. The more expensive
ones are supposedly more resistant to punctures and be lighter, but they
also tend to not hold air as long. For me, a few grams weight isn't much
difference (my Camelback can weigh many pounds during my ride), and I
rarely get enough flats to justify the expense. I think the last few I
bought were around $12 for five, and I paid about $10 for ONE tube from my
LBS. I can't tell the difference in tubes.

--
Bob M in CT
Remove 'x.' to reply

Thanks, guys!

E & V Willson wrote:
:: I agree with Bob. I cannot tell any difference between expensive and
:: cheap tubes for the type of riding I do (paved road). Perhaps a
:: light weight tube might be worth somewhat more to you, but in the
:: grand scheme of things, a few grams saved is really trivial except
:: on extremely lightweight bike setups.
::
:: Perhaps expensive tubes have better valves, but I doubt it.
::
:: HTH,
:: Ernie
::
:: Bob M wrote:
::
::: On Mon, 13 Oct 2003 15:04:33 -0400, Roger Zoul
::: wrote:
:::
:::: I'm looking into buying some inner tubes (700 x 26C Presta stem)
:::: for my road
:::: bike online (LBS wants $7 per tube). I see some at
:::: performancebike.com that
:::: range in price from $25 for 3 to $10 for 3.
::::
:::: Sadly, this site gives little description of the differences in
:::: tubes that
:::: are 3 for $25 and those that are 3 for $10. Is it markeing hype
:::: or is there
:::: some good reason to pay more?
::::
::::
::::
:::
::: Personally, I buy the cheap ones and use tire liners. The more
::: expensive ones are supposedly more resistant to punctures and be
::: lighter, but they also tend to not hold air as long. For me, a few
::: grams weight isn't much difference (my Camelback can weigh many
::: pounds during my ride), and I rarely get enough flats to justify
::: the expense. I think the last few I bought were around $12 for
::: five, and I paid about $10 for ONE tube from my LBS. I can't tell
::: the difference in tubes.
:::
::: --
::: Bob M in CT
::: Remove 'x.' to reply

Roger Zoul wrote:
I'm looking into buying some inner tubes (700 x 26C Presta stem) for my road
bike online (LBS wants $7 per tube). I see some at performancebike.com that
range in price from $25 for 3 to $10 for 3.

Sadly, this site gives little description of the differences in tubes that
are 3 for $25 and those that are 3 for $10. Is it markeing hype or is there
some good reason to pay more?

Depends what's important to you. If you're interested in performance, you
might want "ultra-light" tubes. If you're more interested in puncture
protection, get "thorn resistant" tubes. I've had good luck with the
Performance thorn-resistant tubes. Be forewarned they're quite heavy, but
are available in 700 x 26.

Art Harris

Harris wrote:
:: Roger Zoul wrote:
::: I'm looking into buying some inner tubes (700 x 26C Presta stem)
::: for my road bike online (LBS wants $7 per tube). I see some at
::: performancebike.com that range in price from $25 for 3 to $10 for 3.
::
::: Sadly, this site gives little description of the differences in
::: tubes that are 3 for $25 and those that are 3 for $10. Is it
::: markeing hype or is there some good reason to pay more?
::
:: Depends what's important to you. If you're interested in
:: performance, you might want "ultra-light" tubes. If you're more
:: interested in puncture protection, get "thorn resistant" tubes. I've
:: had good luck with the Performance thorn-resistant tubes. Be
:: forewarned they're quite heavy, but
:: are available in 700 x 26.
::

Given that I'm "quite heavy", I can't imagine that the tubes would be a
problem. However, roughly how much do they weigh, compared to a typical non
ultra-light tube?

Thanks.

"Roger Zoul" wrote:
Given that I'm "quite heavy", I can't imagine that the tubes would be a
problem. However, roughly how much do they weigh, compared to a typical non
ultra-light tube?

Ultra lights are around 70g, normal tubes are around 100g, and the
thorn resistant tubes are 275g according to Performance. They're on
sale now at 3 for $12.

Art Harris

On 21 Oct 2003 12:30:31 -0700, (Art Harris) wrote:
"Roger Zoul" wrote:
Given that I'm "quite heavy", I can't imagine that the tubes would be a
problem. However, roughly how much do they weigh, compared to a typical non
ultra-light tube?

Ultra lights are around 70g, normal tubes are around 100g, and the
thorn resistant tubes are 275g according to Performance. They're on
sale now at 3 for $12.

Bontrager Superlight 700x18c-25c tubes say "65g" on the box. The
box, BTW, is a pleasant bright chrome color. The box is small, and
the folded tube is tiny -- making it a good spare tube regardless of
weight. I've used one for a few hundred miles and haven't had a
problem with it yet -- it holds pressure well and hasn't failed at
all. I weigh 210 pounds.

Art Harris
--
Rick Onanian

"Roger Zoul" wrote in message ...
I'm looking into buying some inner tubes (700 x 26C Presta stem) for my road
bike online (LBS wants $7 per tube). I see some at performancebike.com that
range in price from $25 for 3 to $10 for 3.

Sadly, this site gives little description of the differences in tubes that
are 3 for $25 and those that are 3 for $10. Is it markeing hype or is there
some good reason to pay more?

I buy the cheapie standard tubes. I tried the ultralights one time
after being taken in by some BS in a magazine and had to air them up
every day. The valve stems also ripped out on both of them eventually.
Racers might need to worry about grams, but it sure doesn't apply to
any of my riding. The thing that works for me is to always carry a
spare tube (I patch the flat one when I get home), carry a good frame
mount pump (Zefal HPx is my choice), and watch out for broken glass
and other hazards. YMMV.

smokey

Rick Onanian wrote:

Bontrager Superlight 700x18c-25c tubes say "65g" on the box.

it holds pressure well and hasn't failed at all.

OK. But there's no way a 65g tube has the puncture resistance of a 275g
tube. And when you say it holds pressure well, do you mean during a ride,
or for a week?

Art Harris