Question on lightweight Inner Tubes

designman
designman Posts: 405
edited May 2011 in Road buying advice
Thinking about buying myself some lightweight inner tubes, probably 50g tubes, but concerned about a few things....

1. Are lightweight Inner Tubes dangerous?
2. Are they more prone to puntures?
3. Do lightweight tubes just blow out or go down slowly?

Ive read reviews concerning 50g Inner Tubes that when they puncture they blow out instead of going down slowly.
Does anyone on here use lightweight inner tubes?

Thanks.

Comments

  • pianoman
    pianoman Posts: 706
    I don't konw if they're more vulnerable to road debris but they are definitely worse against potholes and nips in the rim. Do yourself a favour and either stick to normal ones, or try latex. They're often rated to have lower rolling resistance than the Continental Supersonics.
  • amaferanga
    amaferanga Posts: 6,789
    Latex tubes for me. I get them from Decathlon for a fiver (Michelin - most places sell them for nearer to a tenner).
    More problems but still living....
  • CamR
    CamR Posts: 83
    I would agree that the supersonics don't do well against pot holes. But other than that I have had no problems with them for the past year.

    Are the latex tubes a similar weight?
  • toontra
    toontra Posts: 1,160
    amaferanga wrote:
    Latex tubes for me. I get them from Decathlon for a fiver (Michelin - most places sell them for nearer to a tenner).

    They're £8 in my local Decathlon.

    a serious case of small cogs
  • neeb
    neeb Posts: 4,473
    I've been using the 50g supersonics for years without any problems, despite countless people telling me they are supposedly puncture prone and that real men use heavier tubes or latex... For me they are 100% fine and I have very few punctures, BUT I am light and like to run my tyres at quite high pressures.

    The only very minor issue is that you need to be a little bit more careful when fitting / removing them not to get them trapped under the tyre bead or nick them with tyre levers - they are a little more prone to this because the thinner material doesn't keep its shape so well when there is no air in the tube. I think this goes for latex too.

    Latex tubes are usually a little heavier and lose air more quickly, but may be better for rolling resistance.
  • neeb
    neeb Posts: 4,473
    P.S. On the rare occasions I puncture the tubes don't blow out, although they can go down quite rapidly sometimes, say within 10 or 20 seconds. I reckon they are probably equally prone to road debris punctures as other tubes, it will just take the glass or whatever slightly longer to get through a thicker tube, but if it has already got through the outer tyre it is going to happen anyway...
  • balthazar
    balthazar Posts: 1,565
    Totally off-topic @toontra: I love your Philip Guston avatars..!
  • toontra
    toontra Posts: 1,160
    balthazar wrote:
    Totally off-topic @toontra: I love your Philip Guston avatars..!
    :D

    a serious case of small cogs
  • amaferanga
    amaferanga Posts: 6,789
    toontra wrote:
    amaferanga wrote:
    Latex tubes for me. I get them from Decathlon for a fiver (Michelin - most places sell them for nearer to a tenner).

    They're £8 in my local Decathlon.

    London prices eh :wink:

    £5 in Decathlon Sheffield.
    More problems but still living....
  • maddog 2
    maddog 2 Posts: 8,114
    CamR wrote:
    Are the latex tubes a similar weight?

    I seem to recall they are 70-80g so a bit heavier than supersonics. They also need topping up as they seep air.
    Facts are meaningless, you can use facts to prove anything that's remotely true! - Homer
  • designman
    designman Posts: 405
    Are lightweight tubes good on rough roads or when you go over deep pot holes?

    Was thinking about getting either the Conti Supersonics or Bonty Race XXX Lite which are both 50g in weight.... Anyone used these?
  • CamR
    CamR Posts: 83
    designman wrote:
    Are lightweight tubes good on rough roads or when you go over deep pot holes?

    Was thinking about getting either the Conti Supersonics or Bonty Race XXX Lite which are both 50g in weight.... Anyone used these?

    As mentioned earlier they don't do potholes very well. My two most recent punctures were pinch flats as a result of potholes. Having said that I don't think any of us are looking to hit potholes on a regular basis. They are fine on the sort of badly kept road you get in the UK in my experience.

    Cam

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