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Repacing inner tubes?

6K views 19 replies 16 participants last post by  Sharkguy 
#1 · (Edited)
Replacing inner tubes?

Normally, when replacing all my bias tires, on every bike I've ever owned.... I would also change the inner tubes at the same time.

What is the consensus thought about this, with respect to the odd combo of bias and radial tires found on my 2016, T120 with spoke wheels?

Getting right at 8,000 miles on it now. Rear is still "reasonable" but the front is rather sketchy.
I don't usually do a "one tire replacement", (unless pretty new and just damaged)... so I'll be putting new rubber on both wheels within the next month or so.
And I get the head shake now pretty easily with light touch on the bars during deceleration from 60mph down.


I may as well find out now if buying new inner tubes is the normal thing to do too.
 
#2 ·
Inner tubes will stretch over time so when fitting new tyres its best to see how much stretch they have, there is no need to replace them on every tyre change but when they are showing signs of stretch or any other problems then replace, I been buying my new bike tyres from the same place for over 40 years (Tyres for Bikes here in Brisbane) they fit my tyres for free but they always check the tubes before refitting and if any problems they replace with a new tube.

Ashley
 
#5 ·
Can I reuse my old tubes when I put on a new tire?

Not a great idea. In tubeless tires, the valve stem is generally replaced at every tire swap. With an inner tube, the valve is built right into the tube itself. Rubber hardens as it heat-cycles — the process of going from cold to hot and back to cold again, every time you ride. The tube's rubber, which should be soft and pliable, turns brittle and can be prone to cracking. A puncture is one thing, but a separation at the valve stem is another. That's why the factory puts that little nut on the valve stem, to prevent movement. Compared to tires, tubes are cheap. Bottom line: Don’t do it. Replace the tubes with the tires.
 
#6 ·
Probably depends on the tube you use. In my opinion; If you use cheap, light duty tubes, Tsmgguy and Visavette are right. If you use quality, heavy duty, more expensive tubes, Ashman and Bonnielack are closer to right.
I use the thickest tubes I can find, always have a spare on hand, and just make a quality judgement when I change the tire.

On a similar topic. I have seriously considered the tubeless conversion option discussed on this forum. I would prefer tubeless tires. But in my 40 years and 100's of thousands of miles of road riding mostly on tubed tires, I can count the number of flats I have had with three fingers, and one of those was with a tubeless tire. (In fairness, that is not counting pinched tubes from installation, which are pretty rare these days)
I would suspect that a flat from a leaky rim from a home-style rim sealing would be a higher probability than a flat from leaky tube. So I have never followed through with that modification.
 
#8 ·
Width as well. I have a hell of a time finding the right tube. Tubes are not sized like tires, and a tube will fit a range of tire sizes. But I tend to overthink things, there is a lot of overlap and slop allowed.

Here is a conversion chart I found somewhere I find useful, tubes tend to come in sized in the "inch" column while tires come in the "metric" column.

Text Font Line Number



You match diameter exactly, and width/thickness as close as you can using that chart.

Look for real rubber tubes. I tend to use Michelin and Pirelli tubes. Although Kenda are OK and the price is right.
 
#10 ·
What brand of tube is considered "best"? Is there any consensus on that besides thick and heavy duty?

Pete

I've tried them all. for me it's Heidenau or Michelin
 
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#14 ·
I always buy the "heavy Duty" tubes. I must say I am guilty of not replacing them with new every time. Usually I inspect the tubes when reusing, This time the bike came with a new set of Michelin heavy duty tubes so I had the guy that was changing the tires change the tubes too. Next time I need tires I'm converting to tubeless.
 
#17 ·
I would usually change tubes every other time until a couple years ago when a valve stem shed itself from the tube for no apparent reason. After that I sealed the spokes, installed the NAPA 90-426 tubeless valve stem and replaced the tube with air. So far so good.
 
#18 ·
I agree on changing the tubes at regular tire change intervals (which generally should be happening every 2-3 seasons for motorcycle rubber).
On my '74 Norton Commando, when setting up with first new rubber since restoring bike, I selected "Counter Balance" tubes, which have dynamic balancing beads already inside. These seem to work really well....so much so I'm considering those tubes for my bonneville.

https://fortnine.ca/en/counteract-ready-balance-tire-tube
 
#20 ·
Well, guess I jinxed myself. Picked up a blade from a disposable razor knife in the rear tire on Friday as I was headed to a parts swap meet. Had to wait on the side of the road for an hour and a half for the tow truck. I'm going tubeless now. The tube got punctured in two places and there is a nice long scratch next to the punctures.
 
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