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Message started by chzeckmate on 11/08/15 at 10:20:36

Title: Inner tubes should be replaced when...
Post by chzeckmate on 11/08/15 at 10:20:36

A guy is at the bike shop buying a new rear tire and this was overheard:

SALES GUY: So, did you want to replace the tube today too? We have a special on "Brand X" tubes.
CUSTOMER: I dunno, the tube has never been patched and seems to be fine. Should I replace it?
SALES GUY: You really should replace the tube every time you replace the tire. The tube is only $18 and we can do it now while the tire is off for nothing, but if you have to replace it later it's gonna cost you.
CUSTOMER: Yeah, that makes sense. Let's go ahead and replace it.

Afterward a discussion ensued and the four distinct points of view in this poll were made. I put the question to you...If you were in this situation what would your point of view be? I took the position that if the tube is holding satisfactorily I wouldn't replace it. Am I wrong?

Title: Re: Inner tubes should be replaced when...
Post by Kris01 on 11/08/15 at 11:09:36

What's the quote... an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. I'd replace it when I replaced the tire. Might as well while you have it torn down.

Title: Re: Inner tubes should be replaced when...
Post by old.indian on 11/08/15 at 11:51:30

Tire, tube, rim strips replaced. Check the spokes, bearings, brake shoes (or pads) and anything else you can think of while you can get to it. Preventive maintenance is the key to the difference between enjoying the ride and calling your buddy with a pickup to come rescue your broken down a$$ from what looks like the original setting of "Deliverance"......

Title: Re: Inner tubes should be replaced when...
Post by HovisPresley on 11/08/15 at 12:27:38

5A59511B5C5B515C545B350 wrote:

....rescue your broken down a$$ from what looks like the original setting of "Deliverance"......

.........................................................

'Inner tube', not 'inner lube' ;D

Title: Re: Inner tubes should be replaced when...
Post by Kris01 on 11/08/15 at 14:54:07

Haha! ;D

Is that banjos I hear in the background?

Title: Re: Inner tubes should be replaced when...
Post by Dave on 11/08/15 at 15:36:24

I don't replace the tube every time......sometimes I only get a year or two out of a tire as I buy pretty soft tires for the Cafe' bike.

Five years is no problem for a tube.....Ten is probably OK too if the bike isn't stored in a hot pole barn or storage shed where is gets 110+ degrees in the summer.

If the tube shows no wear marks from the tire or rim, and it is still soft and smells like rubber......it is probably OK. (However I would get a name brand tube if I was going to use it for a while, and not buy the cheapest brand of tube available).

Title: Re: Inner tubes should be replaced when...
Post by DesertRat on 11/08/15 at 18:42:24

change it.

Or else:

http://i.imgur.com/e6vcTMF.jpg

http://https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/6c/72/53/6c72537b400cf91035f10264f00f17d5.jpg

Title: Re: Inner tubes should be replaced when...
Post by xaman on 11/08/15 at 18:55:00

I change my own tires, and use Ride-on Tire Sealant to balance and protect against minor pinholes. So changing the tube costs not only the $15 tube, but also the $15 Ride-on sealant bottle = $30.

I always use the tube twice unless of course I pinch it mounting the tire, lol.

Title: Re: Inner tubes should be replaced when...
Post by gizzo on 11/08/15 at 19:35:38

0F34392E3F33282E353D302F5C0 wrote:

^ What he said

Title: Re: Inner tubes should be replaced when...
Post by chzeckmate on 11/08/15 at 23:25:30

I really don't think there's a wrong answer here. I tend to agree with Dave's POV. I can't see a reason to replace a good tube, but if it makes you feel better to do so, I can't see anything wrong with it either.

To all of you who are replacing your tubes with every tire change, I'll happily take the old one if you don't want it. I'd be glad to have some spares lying around in case I get a puncture.

Title: Re: Inner tubes should be replaced when...
Post by Art Webb on 11/10/15 at 18:10:02

I'm with Dave, besides, at the rate I pick up nails, the tube is likely younger than the tire ;D

Title: Re: Inner tubes should be replaced when...
Post by chzeckmate on 11/13/15 at 12:59:14

I thought I'd just mention that I changed tires yesterday and I reused both tubes. They are at least five years old but looked okay and didn't have any patches. Assuming I can avoid road hazards, I think they'll be fine until the next time I change tires.

If interested, you can see my initial review of my new Shinko 230 Tour Master tires here:
http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1447063661/15#15

Title: Re: Inner tubes should be replaced when...
Post by HondaLavis on 11/14/15 at 02:38:14

I inspect during tire replacement and only replace the tubes on condition. If it's still holding air but the rubber is cracking, I'll replace it. Otherwise if it's still pliable and intact, it's going back on the bike. I also wont replace rim strips unless they are cracking or torn most of the way through.

Title: Re: Inner tubes should be replaced when...
Post by Kris01 on 11/14/15 at 10:18:22

I had a flat with only about 3000 miles on the bike because the rim strip snapped. It gets replaced EVERY time!

Title: Re: Inner tubes should be replaced when...
Post by chzeckmate on 11/14/15 at 10:27:37

18213A206362530 wrote:

I had a flat with only about 3000 miles on the bike because the rim strip snapped. It gets replaced EVERY time!

That's a proper ounce of prevention. I don't believe replacing tubes is preventative medicine, but I agree, replacing rim strips is legit.

I think I sense a rim tape vs. rim strips war coming...