Inner tubes/tyres - life span

themoog

Over the last couple of years I've amassed a fair collection of inner tubes with a hole in (I usually just replace the whole tube when I puncture then put the used tube to one side to repair on a rainy day - as yet that rainy day hasn't happened).

Do inner tubes have a lifespan over which they naturally deteriorate? If so, am I better off just chucking the old ones now or would they still be ok to repair and re-use? Is a repaired tyre as good as new anyway?

I also have the same question for tyres - I have a few that are still in good nick (just been used for a few races) and been stored for a year or so. Would they still be ok to use?

thanks for your help.

Underscore

So long as they've been stored out of the light, I don't see that you should need to bin them. The only inner tube that I recall binning was due to a tear at the valve; I'm still (re-)using one or two that are now probably twice their initial weight!

_

gbsahne001

still using 2 inner tubes that were part of the original bike from 15 years ago, admittedly they've been moved to the bad weather / offroad wheels / tyres but still in use

The Rookie

Cheap tubes and tyres will degrade, especially if stored in sunlight, decent quality ones will be fine, especially if stored in the dark.

Simon

themoog

thanks for the great responses everyone. Looks like I have some work to do in repairing all the old tubes