Ordinary or light tubes

izumi

How does a tube weight affect the sturdiness of a tyre? I have Schwalbe Smart Sam 2.25 tyres with light Impac AV14 tubes (about 120g each). Is there any sense in installing ordinary tubes instead (about 200g each) or will I just increase the weight of my bike?

nicklouse

does nothing to the tyre.

why would you want to change?

izumi

Thanks for clarifying that. I got a puncture a week ago, I thought that maybe thickier tubes can make tyres more resistant to punctures.

By the way, I have a related question. How long can I keep a tyre with a small puncture from a sharp stone? Will this puncture get bigger with the passage of time?

cooldad

Depends how big and where.

nicklouse

izumi wrote:

Thanks for clarifying that. I got a puncture a week ago, I thought that maybe thickier tubes can make tyres more resistant to punctures.

By the way, I have a related question. How long can I keep a tyre with a small puncture from a sharp stone? Will this puncture get bigger with the passage of time?

A hole in th tyre has little relevance to anything. It is the tube that holds the air in.

And maybe.

thelonegroover

In my experience, a thorn or nail can go through a normal tube very easily. So fitting lighter tubes should make no difference. Pinch flats may be different but since I’ve never had one I can’t say. I’m actually planning to install extra light tubes which save almost 100g per wheel and also install sealant, which will add up to 50g per wheel. Result is a lighter wheel with puncture prevention.

izumi

Thelonegroover wrote:

In my experience, a thorn or nail can go through a normal tube very easily. So fitting lighter tubes should make no difference.

Ok, thanks!