Tube Question

[uforgot]

I've purchased quite a few road tires for my Jamis, but I've had my Trek fx since Oct. and just had my first flat. The tire says 700 by 34c, so my son stopped at my lbs, (where he goes to school) with a note saying that I needed 700 by 34 tubes. Well, when I got home there were the 700 by 28-32c tubes that I usually get for my road bike. I thought he made a mistake so I emailed him and he assured me that this was the tire he uses on all bikes and it would go up to 34c no problem. I installed the tire, pumped it up and while I was putting the rear wheel back on, it exploded. And of course I had my face right next to it! I emailed him and asked him about it (after my hearing returned) and he said I must have seated it wrong on the rim. It was not the tube. I've gone to this lbs for several years, and have never had anything but great service.

Opinions? Is this what people normally get for 34c tubes? Why won't he just sell me the correct size? Just want to hear what you guys think...

[Veronica]

I often use smaller tubes in my tires - like 23s in my 27s. Sounds like maybe as you put the tube in, it got pinched between the tire and the rim.

V.

[DebW]

The tube size was fine. Tubes can stretch enough to accommodate a range of widths (even beyond the box label). The LBS guy was right. You need to be more careful with installing and inflating the tire. Blowouts are (almost) never the fault of the tube, but rather a problem with the tire seating. So remount the tire with a new tube. You should have a bit of air in the tube before you install the tire so that the tube holds its shape and stays out of trouble. Be sure that the tube is completely within the tire (not between tire and rim or bead and rim). After the tire is installed, inflate to about 25 psi. Now carefully check on both sides of the tire that the bead is seated evenly all the way around. If one part is too high or too low, let out air and reseat it and try again. Once you are sure that the bead is seated properly, inflate to full pressure. If you have repeated problems with the same tire, the bead may be damaged and the tire need replacement. But chances are that installing more carefully is all that's needed. Good luck.

[Dogmama]

Another thing I do is when the tube is inflated to ~25 pounds, I go around the sidewall & pinch it in, checking to make sure that the tube is not pinched between the rim & the tire. Be sure to check both sides.

A tire blowing up in your face! Yikes! Clean up by Maytag, eh?

[uforgot]

Thanks everyone, for your replies. Okay, okay, I'll give it another shot. Just one more question, though, is there a reason for putting a smaller tube in a tire? Why not just put in the correct size? I figure if others are doing it, maybe there is some benefit to it.

Thanks again, I can always count on you guys! oops, gals!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Another thing I do is when the tube is inflated to ~25 pounds, I go around the sidewall & pinch it in, checking to make sure that the tube is not pinched between the rim & the tire. Be sure to check both sides.

My DH says that after doing that, you should also lightly bounce the wheel and tire on the ground while turning and rotating it at low pressure- this helps settle the tube inside evenly too, eliminating pinches or folds.

[KnottedYet]

I was under the impression that was the correct size. Tires come in gradations of every two mm or so, and tubes are in larger gradations. You get the tube with the range that suits the specific tire width.

(kinda like jeans come in sizes 2,4,6,8,10,12,14,16,18, etc and underwear comes in S,M,L,XL)

I love my LBS, cuz they are willing to explain everything to me, even when all I'm doing is buying a tube!

www.recycledcycles.com

[uforgot]

My DH says that after doing that, you should also lightly bounce the wheel and tire on the ground while turning and rotating it at low pressure- this helps settle the tube inside evenly too, eliminating pinches or folds.

Thanks Lisa! I installed another one, did what your dh said, and it worked. Tire is good to go. By the way, that tan Brooks saddle on your blue bike looks terrific! Every time I see your avatar, it makes me want to get my bike painted mint green (I've been thinking about this for awhile) and go with the honey saddle! Not something you see every day...I love it!