mtb tube source / pinch flats

**Yeti** · 10-12-2006, 01:06 PM

I pinch flat. A lot. Too much. Yes, it's partially because I don't have a tire gauge for my pump, so I'm probably underinflated. It's also because I'm a shameless basher with undeveloped rear-wheel technique. I'm working on that.

I'm looking for a good source for tubes. LBS sells them for $6. Nashbar has their basic tubes for $4.95 + shipping. Is there a better (cheaper, or bulk) source for tubes?

What about DH tubes? LBS tried to sell me on one. I'm not too concerned about weight, but will running thicker rubber help? Am I better off investing in a gauge?

**kidwoo** · 10-12-2006, 01:11 PM

Originally Posted by Yeti

What about DH tubes? LBS tried to sell me on one. I'm not too concerned about weight, but will running thicker rubber help? Am I better off investing in a gauge?

It will help but those things are heavy. I don't even use them in my dh bike.

Something you can try is to find a bigger size tube, like made for a 2.5 tire if you're using a 2.1. It will stretch less and maintain its thickness better.

That and just start putting more air in your tires.

**m1e448** · 10-12-2006, 03:36 PM

Ghetto Stans, Maxxis rimstrips, more air, learn how to ride. Also maybe try tires with more volume.

**Pedro** · 10-12-2006, 04:35 PM

Originally Posted by powwrangler

Ghetto Stans, Maxxis rimstrips, more air, learn how to ride. Also maybe try tires with more volume.

My thoughts exactly.... Tubes suck.

**Hutch** · 10-12-2006, 05:06 PM

the addition of clipless pedals (10 years ago) reduced my pinch flat rate dramatically because I can bunnyhop farther and with better precision and thus avoid obstacles that are likely to cause a pinch on the back wheel. I now have a tubeless setup, and don't get flats very often at all.

Oh, and I have one of these:

**cloudpeak** · 10-12-2006, 05:45 PM

Go tubeless. I'm working hard to improve my riding skills, but until I opted for tubeless, I was still getting flats. I went tubeless, and voila no more flats.

**beaterdit** · 10-15-2006, 11:07 AM

Tubeless + bigger tires. I haven't had a flat in a year and a half. I run 30 -35 lbs.

**Particle** · 10-15-2006, 01:32 PM

I was having problems pinching my rear on my hardtail this summer. Snagged a large-volume tube and haven't had any more problems. It's a bit heavier than a standard tube but worth it IMO.

Here's more advice:
http://tetongravity.com/forums/showthread.php?t=57297

**Big Blue** · 10-15-2006, 08:17 PM

I'll add my vote to the ghetto tubeless recommendation. It's FKNA awesome, and really not that much trouble to do the conversion.

http://www.nsmb.com/gear/tubeless_12_04.php

**Yeti** · 10-16-2006, 01:06 PM

In response to your comments, I started inflating my rear tube like crazy. I ended up overinflating and blowing a tube in my living room. That was loud. I backed off the pressure for my next tube, and had a great four hour ride. On my way back to the car, about 100 yards from the trailhead, there's a short footbridge that you have to hop up 12" onto. As gingerly as possible, I lift the front wheel up and execute my best pedal hop... only to find the rear wheel flatted as I crossed the bridge.

Another pinch flat, I figure. Oh well -- it was a great ride, and the flat couldn't have happened at a better spot. Had it blown two hours earlier, I would have been facing a long hike in the dark.

This morning, I popped off my flatted rear wheel and get ready to change the tube. Pulling the tire off the rim, I looked for the telltale snake bites. Hmm, something's a little different.

The hole on the left near my index finger didn't look like the typical smiling pinch; it looked more like an actual rattlesnake bit the tube. We don't have rattlers here, so maybe it was a milk snake?

Just for kicks, I decided to take a look at the tire. The holes in the tube were about 6" away from the valve stem. Looking at the corresponding spot on the tire, what do I see but this:

That's one big nail.

I'm proud to say that my last two flats haven't been pinches, but rather nails. (The one before this one was a front flat from a carpet tack near "Hobo Jungle". Damn those hobos with their carpet tacks.)

I don't suppose tubeless would have prevented this flat, eh? How about my tires -- is this a good excuse to get new rubber? If I stick some duct tape on the inside of the tire, can I still ride with this?

**beaterdit** · 10-16-2006, 09:55 PM

I bet the stan's would have prevented that flat.

More on point, I think Pricepoint has three for ten, and another break at five tubes, ect.

**marshalolson** · 10-16-2006, 09:58 PM

get a tire with a beefier sidewall. no more pinchflats.

and jebus. thats one hell of a nail.

**mtnbikerskierchick** · 10-16-2006, 10:04 PM

Go with Stans Notubes. You can convert your non-UST rims to tubeless using their rimstrip. Better yet, you don't need to use UST tires, so you have a wider selection. The goop you put in the tire is self-sealing like Slime Tubes so if you have a small hole (caused my a thorn or something... wouldn't work on that nail there

) the goop will seal the hole. It works nicely.

notubes.com

I used to pinch-flat all the time because I ride hard downhill. This totally solved the problem

**El Chupacabra** · 10-17-2006, 08:03 AM

Tubeless w/ Stan's would have flatted on a big nail too. You can duct tape the inside of that tire and it'll be fine (with a tube).

I buy tubes in bulk: 10 for $20:
http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/109...-Set-of-10.htm

Not the lightest, but they hold air, and that's all I ask.