tire tube?

[dcurtis229]

Rode my bike for the first time today at ham creek and got a flat about a 1/4 of the way through the ned shelton side so I had to push it all the way back due to the fact that im inexperienced and dont carry a patch kit or any of that good stuff, but I wanted to ask about what type of tube I should buy before I went to get one tomorrow. What is gonna be the best tube for the rough trails and what are somethings I can do to try and keep from getting a flat so easily? Is tubeless the way to go?

[Jugodrax]

Some people might scoff at the idea but I run Walmart Slime tubes without any problems. They are a little heavy but work well. Usually I have a patch kit with me but never have had to use it. No comment form the guys I rode with yesterday because I did not have any patches on me even though I was two of the four that did not get a flat.

[dcurtis229]

I was thinking that I would try the wal-mart special and see how it goes, that is if I ever get this tire off the wheel. thanks for the advice:big_grin:

[twolfcon]

The best way I have found to not get a flat, is to not ride your bike. :big_grin:
Seriously, your going to get flats for all sorts of reasons on a trail, thorns, pinches, etc.
I lost count of the flats we had yesterday at HC, we had one tube between 4 riders & was saving that for a really bad situation.
I luckily had glue less patches & thought we were going to run out before we got off the trail.
I don't know that one tube is any better than another, but I would take your bike to your LBS & have them fix it while you watch, ask them to show you how to change a tube, most shops have no problem with this.
I have never had tubeless, so I have no idea if they are a better way to go.

Good Luck
Mike M

[Lefty Scott]

Been tubeless for a year and a half---no flats. Of course I just jinxed myself! Knock on wood. Knock on wood. Knock on wood. Knock on wood. Knock on wood! :stupid_me:

[twolfcon]

Actually I lied about not getting a flat if you don't ride your bike.
When Lefty Scott posted, it reminded me of last weekend at the work day at Cotton Mill.
Scott & I went down together & I had 2 flats without ever getting on my bike.
Talk about being PO.

Mike M

[Chewieez]

Look at the size of your tire and find the tube that best matches this size. For example: If you have 26" tubes and 2.1 tires, you want a tube that will fit that. Tubes come in ranges like 1.9-2.1 or 2.0-2.3.

I don't know if there are better tubes out there for less flats. They make some downhill specific tubes, but they are heavy and may not help that much with thorns or pinch flats.

How did you get your flat? You should try to figure out how you punctured your tube so that you know how to try to avoid it. There are three main ways to puncture your tube:

1) Thorns or sharp rocks cut a small hole through the tire and into the tube
2) you slash the sidewall of your tire/tube, riding too close to a sharp rock
3) you pinch flat.

Pinch flatting is also called Snake bites, b/c if you look at the tube, you will see two small holes, not just one. This is caused from an impact that flattens the tire so much that your tube gets pinched between the tire and the edge of the rim. Pinch flats are probably the only type of flat that is realitively easy to avoid. If you are suffering from a lot of pinch flats, you need to run more air pressure in your tires. This will help them not flatten out so much.

I'd just go to the nearest shop and either take your bike or tell them you wheel/tire size and pick up 2 more tubes. You need to be riding with a spare tube at all times. I don't mess with the patch kits. I don't want to try to use those while I'm out riding and all sweaty and tired, I'd rather just replace the entire tube.

BEFORE YOU EVER REPLACE YOUR TUBE, MAKE SURE YOU CAREFULLY LOOK AT THE INSIDE OF YOUR TIRE AND CHECK FOR ANY OBJECTS!!! This is huge. Don't just stop and replace the tube right away. Run your hand, gently, through the inside of the tire and feel for any thorns or anything. If you skip this step, you'll just air up the tire and immediately puncture another tube, then you'll be really pissed. :big_grin:

Tubeless: That's another whole discussion, but I'd recommend it. The only reason I see to not run tubeless (with sealant) is if you like to change your tires out frequently. I've only had 1 flat while riding tubeless in 2 years, and it also allows you to run lower air pressures without any fear of pinch flats.

[meanjoe]

:ditto2: If at all possible go tubeless. you can run much lower air pressure. I was running 50psi to avoid getting pinch flats before switching to tubeless. Now i'm running 30 psi. lower air pressure=more grip and a more supple ride.

I wouldn't carry a patch kit on the trail just because it take so long to do. Carry a spare tube and patch the flat tube when you get home. No reason to wast 10 minutes of valuable ride time waiting for the glue to set up.

Good luck!

Adam

[dcurtis229]

thanks for the info... going to my LBS and going to get them to show me how to change the tube and hopefully find out what type of flat I had. Also gonna pick up an extra tube and inquire about pricing of going tubeless. thanks again

[dcurtis229]

Had the tube replaced today at LBS and they said it was covered under warranty due to the fact that the strip covering the spokes inside the rim was out of alignment and they said that caused the flat. So that was great and I went ahead and picked up an extra tube and some tire spoons but when I got home I noticed they had mounted my tire to where the direction was spinning backwards, my question is does this matter that much?

[meanjoe]

Now that you have the tools it will be good training to take off the tire and flip it around. It very well could change the handling of the tire if mounted wrong. Your rear tire is designed to bite into the dirt and if mounted backwards will not grip on the climbs. front tires are usually designed to roll with little resistance and if mounted backwards could slow you down a bit.:thumb:

good luck

Adam

[TheNextLevel]

If you are suffering from a lot of pinch flats, you need to run more air pressure in your tires. This will help them not flatten out so much.

BEFORE YOU EVER REPLACE YOUR TUBE, MAKE SURE YOU CAREFULLY LOOK AT THE INSIDE OF YOUR TIRE AND CHECK FOR ANY OBJECTS!!! This is huge. Don't just stop and replace the tube right away. Run your hand, gently, through the inside of the tire and feel for any thorns or anything. If you skip this step, you'll just air up the tire and immediately puncture another tube, then you'll be really pissed. :big_grin:

I can testify to not checking a tire inside and wasting a brand new tube!

Also, if you're running tubes, go and get a big bottle of Talc powder from a beauty supply store, like Sally's. Talc is a natural preservative for rubber. Just put a bunch inside the tire wall and rub it all over, covering everything- including the whole tube. This way, the rubber won't be as likely to pinch itself. You can even run lower tire pressures this way.

Get a patch kit and get the self-adhesive patches by Park or Slime (called "Scabs") They're fast, you don't have to wait for glue to dry, and if you DO miss a thorn in the tire the first time, you will have a patch available for the brand new tube you just punctured!! If nothing else, you'll have one to lend to someone (like you) that didn't have one.:thumb:

I've heard decent things about the Slime tubes, but the are heavier. If you're getting into racing, the weight does eventually become a factor. I'm considering going tubeless- especially if I flat at the race this weekend!! (I just reversed the jinx by saying it that way:wink: )

The kit is anywhere from $50-$70 But the "con" is if you ever have to replace a tire, it does get quite messy. Bottom line is that FLATS ARE GOING TO HAPPEN

good luck:luck:

[TNcaveman]

If you go tubeless the week before a race - don't convert a tire - Get a UST tire. Unless you want to carry an air compressor on the trail with you :twitcy:

Cumberland transit has the Bontrager rim strips and valves for pennies - well - a lot of pennies - but not a lot of $$$$.

the Bontrager strips use a separate valve that can be removed to allow a tube to be used if needed. The Stan's strip has to be removed to use a tube (just in case).

I am thinking about using a real UST tire next time - I wish Kenda and Michelin would make some light UST tires :mad:

The Maxxis UST tires are about the same weight as the standard Kendas.

Steve

[twolfcon]

I carry one tube & figure if I get another flat after using that one tube I'm done, so carry the glue less patches.
You scuff the tire with something (rock) & slap the patch on & your on your way.
I wouldn't waist time with a patch unless I did not have a tube.


Mike M