Tube question

[baddogg79]

Tonight I bought some tubes. My tires are 2.5 WTB timberwolfs. The shop sold me some 1.75-2.35 tubes. They told me they would fit. Would these be ok? Im kinda iffy on fitting that small of a tube in my tire. I currently have IRC DH tubes and wanted something a bit lighter. Am I better off getting biger tubes and saving these for my GF bike still in the works? Thanks:rad:

[lobolator]

I run 2.3's with a 2.125 tube, haven't had a problem yet...
I don't take flight very often, I'm light, I don't downhill at break neck speed.
If you want to pound on it and not worry, get a bigger tube.
If you have faith and they are good tubes, over inflate.
Have you ever seen how big a tube can get? Way bigger than 2.5.

[edge]

when i ride with a tube that's smaller than the tire, i get a less supple tire. it's like the tube is too thinned out to meet the tire or something.

[heckler]

The tube will definitely meet the tire. It will fill any space it can. Ever filled a tire just out in the air? It gets really long. The rubber easly stretches that way. If you confine it to a tire, then it gets fatter.

What you end up with is simply a thinner tube. More puncture prone. I guess I could see how it might not be as flexible because it was stretched already. Still the same pressure inside the tire though so, I just don't know. It will work though.

[Who]

Its just easier to get the tube/tire mounted with a smaller tube. That's why they recommended that. My LBS offers the same advice and that was the reason given. I have always rode with a smaller tube and never had any issues. I am not a crazy stunt rider, but I do ride at break neck speeds and never had a blowout or any type of issue. Ive moved on to tubeless tires now which I think I hate. They are still pretty new to me so maybe its user related problems, but I am thinking about getting tubed tires for my new epic. That's another thread I guess... lol

[kmdmac]

I've run undersized, ultralight tubes for years with no problems. I'm a big guy, 6'2" x 230lbs. don't do drops or "freeride" any, but do ride plenty of technical, rocky trails. it will be fine.

kmd

[baddogg79]

Well, i fitted the tubes on today. They seemed ok, but i didnt feel comfortable with them. I filled one without the tire, and did notice they got big. I also weighed them. My DH one was 15.6oz. (sorry its the only scale i got) and the regular was 6oz. I think im going to stick with the DH ones. The get the right size ones later. Im about 185 and not the smoothest rider(newbie) Thanks for all the advice. Ill save these for my Gfs bike.

[hogboy]

hey for sure you want 2.1 tubes...sure any old tube will fit in there but on fatt tires trying a 1.75 tube...my experience was a lot of flats for no good reason...I switched up to 2.1 tubes (in my 2.3 tires) and knock wood, flats-b-gone

[Slappy]

The tubes are fine - I've been running 1.75 in 2.3 tires for years, never even a hint of a problem. I've also used 1.25-1.5s in a pinch and they worked fine too. I very rarely used DH tubes even when I used to DH a lot; pretty much only when it was really muddy and so I was only going to be running 10 or 12 psi. Running those huge tubes for trail riding, you're adding a ton of weight in the worst possible place. Put them aside for chairlift days.

My $.02 anyway

[baddogg79]

The tubes are fine - I've been running 1.75 in 2.3 tires for years, never even a hint of a problem. I've also used 1.25-1.5s in a pinch and they worked fine too. I very rarely used DH tubes even when I used to DH a lot; pretty much only when it was really muddy and so I was only going to be running 10 or 12 psi. Running those huge tubes for trail riding, you're adding a ton of weight in the worst possible place. Put them aside for chairlift days.

My $.02 anyway

Thats might one of the reasons I was having a workout at Otis. Maybe this weekend if I have a chance to go out( or even during the week:rad:) Ill put then in and see how i like them. Thanks Slappy!

[Slappy]

Oh, I'm sure they weren't helping matters one bit. :D

I'm betting you'll notice a big difference in the old acceleration dept. Some people spend hundreds trying to drop that much weight off their bikes.

[errollthin]

This past summer 5 flats in one day on a 2.3 tire with a multitude of tubes from 2.0 to 1.95 sizes, thankfully a group ride so I received some donor tubes. That pissed me off so badly since I really can't remember the last time I had gotten a flat I went out and bought a downhill tube, now my rear wheel weighs as much as the rest of my bike with the wheel off, no more flats but climbing is a bitch. Well I have had enough of that also just purchased some awesome specilized enduro 2.3 tires and some 2.3 tubes. Wish me good luck.

[Slappy]

What tires were you getting all the flats with?

[errollthin]

What tires were you getting all the flats with?
I really don't remember which tire that was I had just worn out a specilized enduro 2.5 but I graduated to a continental vert pro ( I know u love those) and have not had a prob since.

[grnbkr]

i use standard tubes in all my tires, on my gravity oriented bike i use standard tubes (1.75-2.25) in my dh tires (2.6 ritchy motovader) and have had very few problems only problem was ripping the side wall (not the tube's fault) and at really low pressures <20 psi. you shouldn't have any issues.

[Slappy]

I really don't remember which tire that was I had just worn out a specilized enduro 2.5 but I graduated to a continental vert pro ( I know u love those) and have not had a prob since.


Next time I come down for a ride w/ you guys, I'll try to remember to bring the one in my garage along for ya. :D