Best tubes for 700x23c?

[martinkap]

I am looking for what is the best on the market: I care more about not having flats than weight. Money are in a consideration but on the third place.

Please, let me know what brand, name, type you recommend. I think the tube is an essential part of the wheel and to be cheap or uneducated might mean many flats on my everyday ride to work.

Some stat: daily riding on Manhattan, fixie.

Thank you for your help,

Martina

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I'd say get Kevlar belt tires and don't worry so much about the tubes.
Can't you put anything wider than a 23c tire on your bike? It would help to go to 25's and a Kevlar type tire. Don't worry about tread one way or another.

[Veronica]

I take my road bike with 23s off road, into gravel, dirt, smallish rocks.... There's no need to go to 25s to prevent flats. Now if you want a cushier ride, that's a different story.

I have a 27 on the rear of my other road bike and it's driving me nuts because it's not as stiff as I've become accustomed to. It's the tire I put on when the bike was in the trainer.

For tubes, I really like slime tubes for flat protections.

V.

[short cut sally]

I second Bleekerst in the kevlar tire. I ride with kevlars and have just a regular bike tube. I start getting flats when my tires are worn, and then i keep all sorts of goodies in my little bag on the bike for when i do.

[martinkap]

Thanks for your replies.

You got me with the kevlar tires. I am not sure what I have (I am still a n00b :D ). I have Specialized PRO All weather tire (link here (http://plaines.com/itemdetails.cfm?ID=2484)). Are these kevlar?

I don't want to move to 25c. I am happy with the size of tire I have. Only was wondering about tubes. I read something about the slime tires, but it seems to be love/hate relationship.

Martina

[sundial]

Kenda C2C

[roadie gal]

Slime tubes definitely help prevent flats. The downside is that they also slime your pump when you pump up the tires. And your LBS will hate you if you take the bike in for repairs/maintainance, etc and don't tell them you have slime tires.

[sundial]

Slime liners are not near as messy and easy to install. ;)

Stan's can be put in a tubeless road tire, but you have to run it at a lower psi.

[Veronica]

The downside is that they also slime your pump when you pump up the tires. And your LBS will hate you if you take the bike in for repairs/maintainance, etc and don't tell them you have slime tires.

I don't have either of those problems. :) A little slime comes out, but not much.

We do our own maintenance.

V.

[martinkap]

Thank you all for your replies!

I have already answered to you once, but my reply to the thread did not show up. I am not sure why.

For tires I have Specialized PRO 'All Conditions' (see here (http://www.ajssportinggoods.com/lifesports/product.asp?s_id=0&prod_name=Specialized+All+Condition+Pro+Bike+Tire&pf_id=SP_89016&dept_id=3012)). Are these Kevlar? Btw, I am happy with the 23c width. Don't feel the need to go wider.

I am more curious about the tubes, the differences between them and also learning more about the 'slime'. So far, I think it is love/hate relationship. I have no idea they will slime up the pump too. I have to add air every 3rd day or so (too many bumps on high pressure tires), so that sliming up the pump might be an issue.

So, what tubes do you use or you just get whatever the nearest bike shop has?

Thanks,

Martina

[martinkap]

Thank you all for your replies!

I have already answered to you once, but my reply to the thread did not show up. I am not sure why.

For tires I have Specialized PRO 'All Conditions' (see them here : www.ajssportinggoods.com/lifesports/product.asp?s_id=0&prod_name=Specialized+All+Condition+Pro+Bike+Tire&pf_id=SP_89016&dept_id=3012" ). Are these Kevlar? Btw, I am happy with the 23c width. Don't feel the need to go wider.

I am more curious about the tubes, the differences between them and also learning more about the 'slime'. So far, I think it is love/hate relationship. I have no idea they will slime up the pump too. I have to add air every 3rd day or so (too many bumps on high pressure tires), so that sliming up the pump might be an issue.

So, what tubes do you use or you just get whatever the nearest bike shop has?

Thanks,

Martina

[martinkap]

Thank you all for your replies!

I have already answered to you once, but my reply to the thread did not show up. I am not sure why.

For tires I have Specialized PRO 'All Conditions'. Are these Kevlar? Btw, I am happy with the 23c width. Don't feel the need to go wider.

I am more curious about the tubes, the differences between them and also learning more about the 'slime'. So far, I think it is love/hate relationship. I have no idea they will slime up the pump too. I have to add air every 3rd day or so (too many bumps on high pressure tires), so that sliming up the pump might be an issue.

So, what tubes do you use or you just get whatever the nearest bike shop has?

Thanks,

Martina

[Mr. SR500]

I'm convinced flats are random. Something cuts or punctures the tire into the tube, pinch flat, or tube leaks at the valve stem. I've also seen little difference among tire brands regarding flats, most good tires perform very well. I've used:

Conti 4000
Conti 4000s
Michelin ProRace2
Vittoria Corso
Bontager RaceXLite

As for tubes, I tend to buy mostly on sale, and haven't noticed much difference. Some hold air better then others, but seems to vary tube to tube rather then across brands.

[parity]

Inflating your tires properly will avoid getting flats. If you over inflate your tires you will get more punctures, if you under inflate them you risk getting pinched flats. I don't think any one tube is going to give you more protection over getting flats then another one. Once the tube is exposed to something its already too late. Recently I have being using Michelin Pro3 Race and I really like them. Here's a chart on Michelin's web site on proper inflation versus weight:

http://www.michelinbicycletire.com/michelinbicycle/index.cfm?event=airpressure.view

When I started out road biking, I would pump my tires to 120psi. But now a days I pump them up to about 105 psi. Properly inflating your tires will not only give you better puncture protection but also better handling and a smoother ride.

[ehirsch83]

I would look at Specialized Armadillo tires and also Conti Gatorskins. The difference between these and just a kevlar belted tire is huge. They are inforced throughout the whole tire, not just the center belt, so if you get something that hits the sidewall you are stil protected.

I find that tubes are usually tubes, pyramid, kenda, giant, specialized- they are all great quality.
There is one that I has issues with last year(side walls blowing out on the seams) but I forgot the brand, if I remember it I will let you know!

And to the person who said they are now only inflating tires to 105- you are actually at a greater risk for flats if you underinflate your tires then if you inflate to maximum pressure, for both pinch and puncture. The softer the tire, the easier it is for something to go into it. You are also loosing effinciancy with each pedal stroke because of rolling resistance. So besides greater risk of flats, you are creating a much harder, less efficient ride.

The only time my tires aren't at 115 or 135-140(tubulars) is if I am at a crit with bad road conditions in the turns. Then I know I am going to need to let some air out. Otherwise, if just riding on paved roads- there is no reason to have them underinflated.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

And to the person who said they are now only inflating tires to 105- you are actually at a greater risk for flats if you underinflate your tires then if you inflate to maximum pressure, for both pinch and puncture. The softer the tire, the easier it is for something to go into it. You are also loosing effinciancy with each pedal stroke because of rolling resistance. So besides greater risk of flats, you are creating a much harder, less efficient ride.

The only time my tires aren't at 115 or 135-140(tubulars) is if I am at a crit with bad road conditions in the turns. Then I know I am going to need to let some air out. Otherwise, if just riding on paved roads- there is no reason to have them underinflated.

Not everyone agrees with this view. :cool:

[Running Mommy]

Conti Grand Prix 4000's have been a godsend for me! Living in the desert we have lots of "pokey things". I've had 2 flats in three + years.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I have Continental Grand Prix 4 Season tires (700x25) and am very impressed with them. Can't believe the sharp jagged rocks I've had to go over a lot lately and they didn't even blink. The streets of our town are being torn up and sewer pipes replaced everywhere, and Boy it's a nightmare of nasty sharp rocks and debris scattered so thick on the street you cannot dodge them- you just cringe and pray and go over it. Rocky gravel would be better since your tire could sink into it a bit. I hate it when you catch just the edge of a sharp rock and it gets shot out from the side of your tire like a bullet with a creepy snapping sound like a slingshot. Aghhhh!! :eek: :( But these Continentals are seemingly taking it all in stride.