In this segment of Ask Lewis, we discover why bike tubes are a fundamental component of your cycling gear as Lewis decodes their importance in this comprehensive guide. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a casual rider, understanding the role and types of bike tubes can greatly enhance your riding experience. We'll dive into different bike tube materials, how to choose the right one for your bike and tips on maintenance and troubleshooting.
Stay tuned as Lewis answers common questions and shares his expert insights to ensure your next ride is smooth and hassle-free.
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Attributions:
Tubular tire rolled from rim
Tubular tyre. (2023, October 16). In Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tubular...
Cross section of a tubular tyre
Tubular tyre. (2023, October 16). In Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tubular...
So funny ! 😂 Love the Ask Lewis series, I'm learning a lot even though I've been cycling for years.
Thanks Andrew! 😁 We have fun making it! and I love that we get to learn new things when we get asked these questions, always something new to learn (like how to pronounce a word! 😂) 🚴🚴♀️
Tyres are like icebergs -- there's an awful lot more going on than is visible a first glance. I always thought a "clincher" was a tyre that clinches (i.e. grabs) onto the rim. The edge of the tyre (the bead) typically hooks into little channels on the inside edges of the rims. Then tubes -- butyl, latex and/or TPU -- go inside the clincher. Most tubeless tyres are clinchers that are designed to be "tubeless ready." That just means the bead edges of the tyres will sit nice and tightly against the rim and hold in air. So you don't need a tube. A good fit, coupled with latex sealant keeps thing tightly sealed. You can make your wheels tubeless using some of the ordinary tyres on the market. In fact, the first generation of tubeless kits from brands like STANS used regular tyres, combined with gorilla tape and lots of sealant, to do the trick. In my dad's day, a lot of racers used Tubular tyres "tubs." They're fast, but hard to fit or fix. You glue them onto the rim. My mate, who still runs tubs, says you have to cut them off with a knife if you get a flat. Then glue on a new Tub. The faff factor is just off the charts! That's not the end of the story. Some bike makers -- Giant for example -- are touting new "Hookless" tyres. That's the same as tubeless, but the the tyre doesn't hook into the rim. It just kinds of sits in place. So you have to run lower pressures or they might blow off! There have been some fairly dramatic incidents this year, where a few pro riders have had tyres blow off their rims in big races. Google it and you'll see. Personally, I like tubes for the ease of use. I'm trying out TPU, but I've had mixed results. I got two flats last weekend, but only had one spare TPU tube in my kit. Lots of stopping and pumping got me home. If I'd only been carrying CO2, I'd have been out of luck. So always carry a pump! Live long and keep pedalling!
Thanks Brian 😃👍 I've seen pictures of people carrying their spare tyres back in the day, it's definitely much easier now!
The weight differences is trivial in terms of performance. Always choose puncture protection over trivial weight savings, because nothing is slower than a flat tyre.
I've put a TPU on the back and it's made a huge difference, even with just the one! I enjoy that I can go faster 😁 I took it on gravel roads (roadie on gravel, TPU tube) and no puncture. I'm going to put one in the front now too, it's worth it (for me) 🚴♀️
The masses buy those hybrid or I like to call them Mary Poppins bikes and don't even know there is a tube inside the tire. I've seen these types of people get flats and walking their bikes. They usually will stick the bike back in their garage and never ride it again. I also will see families riding on the pathways with children and not one tube or any means to fix a flat tire. What are those people thinking when they go out for a fun ride? I've been cycling for many years and I carry two TPU tubes in my saddlebag. I have had two flats in one ride before so just carrying one spare is not enough in my opinion. TPU are super light so you could carry 3 tubes because the weight would be the same as one butyl tube.
Maybe you are right. I come from a different time when my car had inner tubes. I thought he was talking down to the audience. When his co presenter smiled and giggled at him pronouncing a scientific description, I found it odd. Kids will do that when they don't know something. Then he put the slide showing inertia on the screen. They teach this in grade school. I had enough. However, I am often wrong about people no knowing basic stuff.
I think you answered your own question 😃 you've been cycling for years, and not everyone has. There's a lot to learn, what comes seemingly natural to you, was something you had to once learn. It's helpful to encourage and support others on their learning journey, not put them down, we want more people riding bikes, so sharing basic tips actually helps a lot of people 🚴🚴♀️🚴🚴♀️🚴🚴♀️
It sounds like my channel isn't for you, as it's for people who are learning about bikes, or still have something to learn. You're probably better suited to watching other channels targeted to your level of experience and expertise, thanks for stopping in to watch us though 🙏🚴🚴♀️
Some rims are not latex compatible. So always check
Oh interesting, what makes them incompatible?