Are all inner tubes the same?

topcattim

I need to stock up on inner tubes (went through three on a 40 mile ride today). I've been looking around and can see a 5 pack of Ritchey comp lightweight inner tubes on Chain Reaction for £13 which seems pretty good value.

It set me wondering - is there much difference between different prices of inner tubes? I've previously bought Continental tubes which have seemed fine (but are nealry 50% more expensive). Will I regret buying a cheaper product?

And another simple but probably more important question:
My wheels are 700c but Chain Reaction only sell 26 x 1.5 inner tubes. I'm pretty sure that 26" tubes are only for mtb tyres - if so, then they're not going to fit my 700c road bike wheels?

bilsea159

Some of the cheaper tubes are very thin and to me do not seem as durable long term. For example a Decathlon bought tube at £1.99 for two went at the valve at a very inconvenient moment. I use Conti tubes which seem better.

redddraggon

MTB tubes won't fit road wheels/tyres

Tony666

I was having the same problem with punctures. I then gave in and bought a stronger set of tyres which seems to have done the business

toontra

bilsea159 wrote:

Some of the cheaper tubes are very thin and to me do not seem as durable long term. For example a Decathlon bought tube at £1.99 for two went at the valve at a very inconvenient moment. I use Conti tubes which seem better.

Some bad experiences with the Decathlon tubes here also. The rubber compound seems very, well, un-rubbery (kind of rigid and pasty), and I've had way more punctures on these than any other tube.

Steer clear of any claiming to be light weight - they are just thinner, and the few grams saving in weight (which you will not notice) will be more than made up for in minutes/hours spent at the roadside patching the buggers!

giant_man

I usually buy Schwalbe SV15s or Raleigh TA500s. They both seem fine.

Mettan

I'd stick with Vittoria, Michelin, Continental - recently bought an Aircomp Ultralite, Vitoria Ultralite (not an Evo), and Conty 28 (standard) - the Aircomp ultralight's the lightest but loses pressure quicker than the Vitoria or Conty - prefer the Vitoria out of the 3 - virtually no pressure loss - very pleased - The Conty seems robust - haven't tried a Conty lighweight (Supersonic) yet though. All the top brands seem pretty good, tbf.