Airwave MTB Tubes

diy

Has anyone else had problems with the multi packs tubes? I'm on my second box and just thought I was unlucky with punctures. On the new box, I have already used up 4 in two weeks. I've even changed the tyres and replaced the rim tape thinking it was this. On closer inspection the tubes have tiny imperfections that result in easy splitting and holes. Out of my box of 10 I have 2 where the valves have blown off at the tube, 2 which have had tiny pin-like holes develop due to nicks in the rubber. I may be unlucky, so am wondering what other peoples experiences were?

stubs

I have used them and they seemed okay but felt a bit flimsy and one did rip at the valve. Currently got some Raleigh ones that seem fine.

thelonegroover

40% failure rate is too much, I'd ask for a refund. At least the manufacturers should be told, they may want to improve QA.

felix.london

been using them in 3 bikes (1 DH bike) for 2 seasons. No issues. Sounds like a bad batch...

step83

I agree with Felix, ive been using them on my trainer bike for a while with no problems cant see it being anything more than a duff batch.

Stu Coops

Bought these tubes around 6 months ago and had the same problem, went in the bin, so clearly not a bad batch

YeehaaMcgee

diy wrote:

I have already used up 4 in two weeks.

I don't understand. how do you "use up" a tube?

peter413

I had problems with all of the ones I used, they would just split very randomly and normally pretty quickly. Now using Continental's as they're just as cheap really on the german sites and have no such problems any more. This was probably about 2 years ago now so doubt it's a bad batch, just bad tubes.

diy

I've ordered some conti's and some wider rim tape just in case (seems 25mm 26" tape is hard to find now). I have a big 12 hour ride coming up, so I need something that is reasonable, but not too heavy. At the moment I have some patched up old kenda's which are holding fine. I usually run them slightly harder on longer rides, so I think its a combination of poor quality tubes and higher pressure. They always seem to go on the inside close to the seem, so don't think its punctures.

paul.skibum

I bought 5 airwaves - got one in now and has been since May - no issues - it is either where you ride or the way you ride. Fact. I have been watching.

Stu Coops

paul.skibum wrote:

I bought 5 airwaves - got one in now and has been since May - no issues - it is either where you ride or the way you ride. Fact. I have been watching.

Oh well there we go everybody else is obviously wrong and equally we all must be riding the same routes and riding the same way so we stand corrected by the expert on the towpath

YeehaaMcgee

He's been watching you, he knows.

cooldad

YeehaaMcgee wrote:

He's been watching you, he knows.

He does. I know. I have been watching him.
As I watch over all my flock.

paul.skibum

Stu Coops wrote:

paul.skibum wrote:

I bought 5 airwaves - got one in now and has been since May - no issues - it is either where you ride or the way you ride. Fact. I have been watching.

Oh well there we go everybody else is obviously wrong and equally we all must be riding the same routes and riding the same way so we stand corrected by the expert on the towpath

As I say its Where you ride or How you ride - maybe you are riding rocky super gnar trails or maybe you are using your brakes a lot on rocky trails and puncturing because you are a hamfisted idiot. I dont know - all I know is I have used the airwaves this summer last summer and previously and not had any issues with them - they puncture occassionally same as any others.

The Rookie

A puncture due to an object coming through is different to a 'puncture' due to a failure at a defect though......

diy

I'm running XC race tyres which doesn't help but 2 of these tubes never made it to the "trails" and the other lasted 6-10 miles and split on the inside. As said I think they can't take the higher pressure (40psi) that I run. The cheapos that replaced them lasted the next 50 miles on the same ride.

paul.skibum

The irony - punctured one yesterday but only when fitting a new tyre and catching it with the tyre lever!

diy

Tyre levers? Whats wrong with your fingers?

I can't remember the last time I needed tyre levers for the mtb.

YeehaaMcgee

Especially to put a tyre on the rim.

Kowalski675

diy wrote:

Tyre levers? Whats wrong with your fingers?

I can't remember the last time I needed tyre levers for the mtb.

I didn't need them to fit my new folding XR3s the other day, but I definitely needed them to get the OE wire bead Contis off first. They put up a right fight, even snapped one tyre lever.

diy

just need to centre the bead in the rim before snapping the last section over. Also if using a lever make sure the bead is at the edge of the rim before putting too much leverage on otherwise it snaps. A bit of air in the tube helps avoid a pinch.