Tubes, Best tubes? running sun envy 1.5 rims and Options

[nbk17se]

Maxxis DTH 1.75 tires on front and back. should I use 1.50 tube or 1.75 or does it matter? Also what kind of tube is the best/are the profile ultra light tubes durable enough? Heard flats are more common with the lighter tubes. Also anyone know what the best rim tape is? PS any word on the new Maxxis DTH tires coming out soon? thanks!

This post has been edited by nbk17se: Jul 14 2012, 10:37 PM

[BIGSARGE]

Been running the ITS Ultra Lite 20x1.5-2.25 with my Envy's since Feb '11 with no problems...also been running the Aliennation rim strips on all our bikes...

[tosborne]

Perfer plastic tape over rim strips. Seals out dirt much better. Also believe lighter then rim stips.

[bumpdat1]

I've been using black electrical tape for rim strips since the late 70's!! Never had any problem. I have noticed that the lighter tubes lose air more often, but other than having to pump them up every week and a half, they are good. I have been using the one's from Danscomp and the Intense tubes.

[LDZDAD]

I have had enough issues with the Race Lite tubes that I won't use them anymore. Constantly loosing air pressure and had several of them split right at the valve. I just can't run them with confidence. As for using black electrical tape for a rim strip- that may work fine for a while, but I can tell you that our had 3 different flats at Southpark last week and all of them were from cheap rim strips that failed. The extreme heat combined with high pressures caused them to give way and blow out a hole. I replaced them all with Crupi Ryhthm rim strips which appear to be hefty enough to hold up.

[Bikemonkeys]

Velox rim tape.

[Dennis O'Neil]

Velox rim tape.

+1 on that.

Never had it fail on anything, regardless of what rim/tube combo I run on anything. I'm not a believer in the benefit translation of micro physics of tube weight though. Not hating on anyone that does, as anyone should take advantage of whatever means they can perceive. I just don't think it matters.

[cwstnsko]

For tubes, I run the generic tubes that are about $4 at Walmart/Target/Fred Meyer/LBS etc. If I want a lighter tube, I go old school and grab a 18" tube for my 20 or a 20x1 3/8 for my cruiser....

If you run double wall rim, Veloplugs are my favorite. They are lighter than a rim strip, are locked into the spoke hole so they can't slide. They give good clearance for the tire beads for easier installation and they can be removed one at a time to replace a spoke or nipple.

(IMG:http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6214/6374626347_da0320f9dd_b.jpg)
Front_Wheel by Chris W4, on Flickr

This post has been edited by cwstnsko: Jul 16 2012, 10:05 AM

[Chase266]

I always use 1.5 tubes for 1.75 and up tire widths since they are lighter and air up to size well. The lighter tubes are of course more prone to flats because the rubber is thinner but as long as you keep them full of air they hold up well. I check my tires everytime I go to the track. You can also put a little baby powder on the inside of your tire to keep things smooth and no chafing issues causing flats. If you want to go crazy with the weight like the one guy said you can make an 18" tube work in a 20" but it is stretching it thin. I personally wouldn't trust it on todays tracks where we are all running really high air pressure and paved turns allow you to hold a tight line at high speed. For example I would never try that at Lousville haha.

[blueno2]

I always use 1.5 tubes for 1.75 and up tire widths since they are lighter and air up to size well. The lighter tubes are of course more prone to flats because the rubber is thinner but as long as you keep them full of air they hold up well. I check my tires everytime I go to the track. You can also put a little baby powder on the inside of your tire to keep things smooth and no chafing issues causing flats. If you want to go crazy with the weight like the one guy said you can make an 18" tube work in a 20" but it is stretching it thin. I personally wouldn't trust it on todays tracks where we are all running really high air pressure and paved turns allow you to hold a tight line at high speed. For example I would never try that at Lousville haha.

Specialized makes a 20 x 1.0 - 1.5 tube that is pretty light, and durable from my experience. Ive seen em in presta and schraeder valves also, although their webpage doesnt show the prestas anymore. 0.8 mm thick so they are kind of in between lightweight and regular thickness tubes. I have good luck with these on the race bikes.