Thicker tubes or thinner tubes?

[Boatguy]

I’ve read some conflicting information about tubes.

Some people say to get thick ones for puncture resistance , but then others say that those thick ones heat up too much on the road and can blow out.

How many millimeters thick are the tubes you run? And which is better for say... 50/50 riding? The thick ones or the thin ones?

[Mudflap]

Just use a good quality tube like a Michelin and plenty of talcum powder. A thicker tube isn't going to stop a nail. Some of the cheap tubes appear to be made of a mixture of rubber and cardboard.

[Boatguy]

Originally Posted by Mudflap

Just use a good quality tube like a Michelin and plenty of talcum powder. A thicker tube isn't going to stop a nail. Some of the cheap tubes appear to be made of a mixture of rubber and cardboard.

OK. I actually do have nice Michelin tubes. But they are 4 mm. I was reading that you shouldn’t ride these on the road.

I was thinking the same way you are. What is 1 mm? If a nail or a thorn is going through your tube, the extra millimeter really isn’t doing a lot.

So I’m a bit conflicted. I’m getting ready to change these tires soon and not sure if I should go down a bit in thickness on the Michelin tubes so they work better on the road.

[2LZ]

I run thicker than stock tubes but not the thickest. No issues so far.
The bummer about thick tubes is they are harder to install and easier to pinch with the tire iron......or that's at least been my experience.

These are what I got last time. So far, so good.
https://www.amazon.com/IRC-Heavy-Dut...031793WA&psc=1

[Megadan]

Thicker tubes are more resistant to tearing and punctures. The cost is actually weight, and the resulting increase in moment of inertia. The extra weight is on the outside of the wheel, furthest away from the axle. This means it takes more energy to accelerate and brake, reducing the efficiency of both.

As far as the whole wearing out on street use thing... That's a new one for me. Vibrate more? A heavier/thicker piece of rubber would actually vibrate at a lower frequency under the same tension.

I run michelin HD tubes and have never had a single issue, and I ride mostly on road.

[buzz]

Thicker the better

[Boatguy]

It was this thread elsewhere that fed me the info that thick tubes (4mm) are too much and really are just for off road.


There really seemed to be a consensus about it.

https://www.advrider.com/f/threads/t...#post-44587329

[Mudflap]

You might not want the thick tubes on a heavily loaded bike traveling long distances at high speeds in hot weather because they would hold a bit more heat. On smaller bikes it's not going to be a problem. An extra few grams of weight in the thicker tube will increase the inertia slightly which will slow your acceleration by a tiny amount.

[KenTaoyan]

dont forget to upgrade the rim strips, the stock ones are paper thin.

[grhanka]

Seems like the main advantage of a thick tube is chafe resistance. That's an issue, but the extra weight and money would probably be better spent on a good rim liner.

[Boatguy]

Originally Posted by grhanka

Seems like the main advantage of a thick tube is chafe resistance. That's an issue, but the extra weight and money would probably be better spent on a good rim liner.

Ah, damn!! I forgot the rim liners/strips!

Gotta order those asap

[Myinfo]

I wrecked like two weeks ago, and bent my front rim into the shape of a heart. My tube and my tire separated from the rim, and the tube didn't pop. I was going about 30mph. I had to drag my hawk out of a ditch full of softball sized rocks, load it up in a trailer, drag it off the trailer, and the tube never tore. That tube had around 1500 miles on it, 60/40 street and dirt use, quite a few wheelies. Its an IRC heavy duty tube, and I'm slightly ashamed to say I'm still using it, not losing any pressure though. It's f'n solid, lol.

[Boatguy]

Originally Posted by Myinfo

I wrecked like two weeks ago, and bent my front rim into the shape of a heart. My tube and my tire separated from the rim, and the tube didn't pop. I was going about 30mph. I had to drag my hawk out of a ditch full of softball sized rocks, load it up in a trailer, drag it off the trailer, and the tube never tore. That tube had around 1500 miles on it, 60/40 street and dirt use, quite a few wheelies. Its an IRC heavy duty tube, and I'm slightly ashamed to say I'm still using it, not losing any pressure though. It's f'n solid, lol.

Wow!!!

I guess I am over thinking the tubes also. Seems like they work pretty well no matter what. Probably a nail or long cactus thorn is the only thing that’s going to pierce them.

[Boatguy]

Anyone ever tried these rim strips before?

https://www.amazon.com/Motion-Pro-11...pd_rd_wg=lXeaN

They are available for shipment to my area and seem thicker. They also stick to the rim. Those are some good features I think.

[Mudflap]

Originally Posted by Boatguy

Anyone ever tried these rim strips before?

https://www.amazon.com/Motion-Pro-11...pd_rd_wg=lXeaN

They are available for shipment to my area and seem thicker. They also stick to the rim. Those are some good features I think.

Expensive tape. Gorilla tape, duct tape, electrical tape, all work.