Am I a numpty or are they defective?

pottssteve

I had a p******* last week and repaired it using a spare tube. The valve came loose from the tube straight away, leaving me stranded by the road...

I went to the LBS and got a replacement tube, which they fitted. I got the bike home. Next morning I had another flat - again, the valve had separated from the rubber of the inner tube. I didn't have this problem with the original inner tubes which came with the bike.

Now, my question is:

1. The guy at the LBS says the hole in the wheel rim through which the valve goes is "big" - could this be rubbing and causing the problem?

or...

2. Have I been sold sh*t inner tubes?



Anyone else had this problem?

Steve

amaferanga

If the hole is designed to take schrader valves then it'll be big. Some rims come with a little plastic insert that you can use with presta valves to make it a snug fit. Don't know if they're really necessary though - I've certainly never had problem using presta without the insert on my mtb.

pottssteve

amaferanga,

Thanks for the reply.
The bike is a cyclocross so the wheels are more like road than mtb. It came new with 32mm tyres and tubes, presta valves. The LBS mechanic has fitted little screws inside the tyre, he says, to hopefully stop the problem. I just don't want it happening again.

Steve