Lightweight inner tubes?

Northwind
Northwind Posts: 14,675
edited April 2009 in MTB buying advice
OK, so... I have hidden weight weenie tendancies :roll: Just saw a post on another forum about the conti supersonic inner tubes, which got me wondering... Is it fair to say these aren't as tough as a typical tube? Is it enough of a difference to be a problem? I rarely puncture, almost never pinch flats, since I weigh very little and my nevegals are pretty sturdy... But if it makes a big difference I guess I'll stick to my normal tubes (which are, er, from Tesco but still reasonably light and tough)

Oh, and if it's not an inherently bad idea for all-round trail/rough XC riding, are there any that stand out? I'd want schraeders, and compatibility with regular patches, really.
Uncompromising extremist

Comments

  • Captain Turok
    Captain Turok Posts: 686
    I've been using the Schwalbe XXlight innertubes, quoted as 95g but a new one is 103g on my digital scales.
    I've used the Scab(?) and Park patches with no probs.

    Personally I dont think they are anyless reliable than a regular spesh one, although I'm only 10 1/2stone 'ish.
    If you have a WW affliction :wink: they're surely in the post to you already! :lol:
    *Rock Lobster Team Tig SL (22lb 14oz)
    *C. Late 1950's Fixed Gear
    *1940 Raleigh Dawn Tourist with rod brakes
  • Captain Turok
    Captain Turok Posts: 686
    Captain Turok wrote:
    I've been using the Schwalbe XXlight innertubes, quoted as 95g but a new one is 103g on my digital scales.
    I've used the Scab(?) and Park patches with no probs.

    Personally I dont think they are anyless reliable than a regular spesh one, although I'm only 10 1/2stone 'ish and when I do get a puncture it tends to be a big thorn or bit of glass.
    If you have a WW affliction :wink: they're surely in the post to you already! :lol:
    *Rock Lobster Team Tig SL (22lb 14oz)
    *C. Late 1950's Fixed Gear
    *1940 Raleigh Dawn Tourist with rod brakes
  • Stephen-Hawking
    Stephen-Hawking Posts: 320
    Anything else to say on the matter Captain T ?
    Be happy, communicate happiness.
  • Captain Turok
    Captain Turok Posts: 686
    Stephen-Hawking wrote:
    Anything else to say on the matter Captain T ?
    :lol: :oops: My understanding of computer witchcraft is failing me.
    To put it most simply, its a no brainer to try a pair of the lightweight tubes if you have WW tendencies!
    *Rock Lobster Team Tig SL (22lb 14oz)
    *C. Late 1950's Fixed Gear
    *1940 Raleigh Dawn Tourist with rod brakes
  • Tank-slapper
    Tank-slapper Posts: 968
    I'm using some super light tubes. Not sure what make they are but they weigh less than 100g each. They don't suffer from punctures any more than a normal tube.
  • Northwind
    Northwind Posts: 14,675
    Cool, might as well grab a couple of these schwalbes then, they seem to fit the bill. I'm weenie-ish, but not against all reason, I just replaced my nice light scandium frame with a stone-aged steel one frinstance... So if they were a pain to live with I'd just avoid them but if they're not a drawback, then why not give it a spin. Cheap way to drop 100-150 grams I guess. Cheers!
    Uncompromising extremist
  • cat_with_no_tail
    cat_with_no_tail Posts: 12,980
    lol, you wanna try my tubes. I Have a normal Schwalbe on the front, but just fitted a Giant Thorn Resistant tube on the back. One tube weighs in at about 550g :shock:
    They are bloody thick tubes though, walls are 4.5mm.
    "Avan-TT"
    F*cking Fast 29er
    Rapid Rose Roady
    Bionicon Beast
    Rockhopper Communter
  • The Spiderman
    The Spiderman Posts: 5,625
    If you want to try lighter tubes,without too much investment these are light and cheap:http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/productdetail.asp?productcatalogue=GEAXTUBM220
    2006 Giant XTC
    2010 Giant Defy Advanced
    2016 Boardman Pro 29er
    2016 Pinnacle Lithium 4
    2017 Canondale Supersix Evo
  • Northwind
    Northwind Posts: 14,675
    Cat With No Tail wrote:
    lol, you wanna try my tubes. I Have a normal Schwalbe on the front, but just fitted a Giant Thorn Resistant tube on the back. One tube weighs in at about 550g :shock:

    Yeah, that's what I mean by not being daft with weight reduction, I use fairly weighty tyres for toughness and practicality, and if I got loads of punctures i'd run tough tubes to match, but it doesn't seem like there'll be too much downside with this. Always trying to hit that fine line between light and too light ;)
    Uncompromising extremist
  • Whytepeak
    Whytepeak Posts: 2,616
    Northwind wrote:
    I just replaced my nice light scandium frame with a stone-aged steel one frinstance... !

    You got the soul then?
    Now that we are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak and not to please ourselves. ROMANS 15:1
  • adb1006
    adb1006 Posts: 938
    My innertubes weigh nothing :lol:

    Seriously though, my mate has some seriously light tyres (Schwalbe Fast Freds) and tubes (Continental Supersonic) on his XC bike and the barsteward hasn't had one puncture yet!
    Rock Lobster Team Tig SL Custom
  • Northwind
    Northwind Posts: 14,675
    I think if I do make the swap to roval traversee wheels I'll give tubeless a crack, but I like to swap tyres around so that's not ideal... Still, with light tapes and tubes there's not really that much weight difference is there? Even leaving aside UST tyres often being heavy.
    Whytepeak wrote:
    Northwind wrote:
    I just replaced my nice light scandium frame with a stone-aged steel one frinstance... !

    You got the soul then?

    Yup, just built it last night and had a very quick spin on it, going to break it in properly over the weekend. Need to change my sig :oops: And yes, proof that I'm a weight weenie , I weighed it before I rode it :roll: 11.86kg with the nevegals on, not too shabby for a 130mm trail bike, I thought it'd hit 12.
    Uncompromising extremist

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