Which Tubes

James23
James23 Posts: 113
edited July 2009 in MTB general
Hi Guys

Help i have only just started biking the last year or so and just got a new bike a Focus 2009 Black Forest Expert.

I would like to get some inners for it the website say the tires are a Continental Race King foldable 55-559.

I have no clue on which one to get at all.....

Thanks for all your help

James

Comments

  • Milkie
    Milkie Posts: 377
    You'll want an inner tube that is 26x2.2 I think... The 26 is the wheel diameter and the 2.1 is the width of the tyre.

    Usually they'll come in a size like 26x1.8-2.3 so they can be used for various width tyres.

    I think your tyres are 26x2.2.
  • .blitz
    .blitz Posts: 6,197
    James23 wrote:
    I have no clue on which one to get at all...
    Join the club =]

    Tubes and tyres always have to strike a balance between performance and reliability. Light tubes & tyres can be very fast but why are they light? Because they are thinner. And what does thinner mean? More punctures!

    IME it's pretty pointless fitting thick FR/DH tubes to lightweight XC tyres and similarly 0.4mm tubes aren't going to last very long in DH tyres.

    I like Maxxis Welterweight tubes for beefing up skinny tyres and the bog-standard Conti MTB tubes are great for all-round use.
  • papasmurf.
    papasmurf. Posts: 2,382
    yeah the spread tends to be 26x1.5-2.2 I run upto 2.4 tyres on those kind of range tubes

    what you probably need to know aswell is what valve type you require for your rims. Presta (thin) or schraeder (car type)

    have alook at wiggle, crc or ebay for deals on bulk purchases. I've geax and specialised at the mo and they been fine.. Also conti, but the long values on them annoy me..but thats just me
    Meta5.5
    Duster
  • James23
    James23 Posts: 113
    Cheers Guys

    How will i know if i need Presta or Schraeder? So i want to be looking for a 26x1.8-2.3 upwards or a 26x1.5-2.2.

    Or am i barking up the wrong tree completely..

    Cheers J
  • papasmurf.
    papasmurf. Posts: 2,382
    have a look at http://www.sheldonbrown.com/brandt/presta-schrader.html
    if you value looks like the left then you need presta if it looks like the right one then you need schraeder (can be called car type)


    just having a look wiggle, it seems the values have been helpfully photoshopped out on the pic of the Black forest. I am guessing that its presta. But check.
    Meta5.5
    Duster
  • Milkie
    Milkie Posts: 377
    I run really light weight tubes, but then I am light. Honest!

    I get as many punctures as I did with the standard/thicker ones. A blackthorn will go through pretty much anything!

    http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product-Schwalbe-Tyres-Schwalbe-SV14A-Normal-Length-XX-Light-Presta-Valve-Butyl-Inner-Tube-26-x-1.50-2.10--40-54-x-559-14897.htm

    It's a good way of shredding a lot of weight for not a lot of money. Shredded 400grams for £8.00 (£4 extra per tube than a normal tube)

    But you might get a lot more punctures with these, it does depend on riding style, terrain, etc.
    [/url]
  • llamafarmer
    llamafarmer Posts: 1,893
    It's only recently that I noticed the massive variation in tube thicknesses :oops: I took the punctured tube out of my rear tyre on my Anthem and went to replace it with a spare I'd picked up in the shop at Afan and the difference in weight was incredible. The Anthem obviously came with some skinny race-weight tubes, while the shop basically sold some burlier trail bike tubes. I've just bought a couple of Continental Supersonics as I'm a lightweight any, so I don't tend to puncture much.
    Giant Anthem X
    Cube Ltd Race
  • allthegearnoidea
    allthegearnoidea Posts: 4,077
    i find the tesco tubes are spot on, less than £2 each, only 400g a tube so not stupidly heavy (not super light either but run of the mill) and if you have a extra store close to you can be had with your grocery shopping! :wink:

    at that price is barely worth repairing them when you get a flat!
    Timmo.
    After all, I am Cornish!
    http://cornwallmtb.kk5.org/
    Cotic Soul, The bike of Legends!:wink: Yes, I Am a bike tart!
    http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... 1#16297481
  • Milkie
    Milkie Posts: 377
    at 95grams for the inner tube, you could probably add some slime/no stans stuff and still be damn light and puncture resistant!

    Might have to give it a try... When I get a puncture.
  • James23
    James23 Posts: 113
    Right i get you so i wanna be looking at some 26x1.75-2.5 then :lol: :? :? :?
  • Milkie
    Milkie Posts: 377
    yup :wink:
  • Northwind
    Northwind Posts: 14,675
    I've been using the Schwalbe XXs, they're pretty light and reasonably priced and so far they've been fine- even stretched out to fill a big kenda 2.35 (they're 2.1 tubes officially) I've had only one puncture with them, which is about what I'd have expected with a heavier tube anyway.

    Before this, I used the Tesco ones which are spot on, and will also work fine in my experience in a bigger tyre despite their low rating.
    Uncompromising extremist

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