Is my tube too big ?

[majordad]

Got a puncure on my MTB ( 26 x 1.95 ) and bought a new tube 26x1.95 in Dechatalon ( I was in France ). When I put the tube on the rim it is too big, I can squeeze my clenched fist between the rim and the tube, a good 2 or 3 inches too big. I blew it up and stuffed it into the tyre and despite a kink it's held up for the past week riding. How so ? Are tubes sold with this much play so to speak. This happened last year as well with an Aldi Tube. I'm using the recommended/correct size but some seem too big.

Another newbie question, why are there two types of valve, presta and schraeder, is one better/recommended over the other.

[Get Karter]

It'll be fine.

I've seen 700c tubes folded into a 26" tyre and work for years.

[Engineer1]

Presta and Schraeder seems to be about the size of the hole that needs to be drilled into the wheel rim, neither is massively better than the other and both will hold pressure well.

[Watchman]

Are you sure it's too long? When you pump a new, seemingly too long, tube up it becomes the right length. Try just inflating it enough to give it shape. You'll see what I mean.

[majordad]

Even inflated there s a gap and a kink. I ve double, trebble checked the size, it s correct !

Re the two types of valve, would it not be that by now, like the C60 Cassette tape over the 8 Track one, one would have dominated and the other become extinct ?

[Fartomatic5000]

Try cutting a small section out of it.

[yellowjack]

Fartomatic5000 said:

Try cutting a small section out of it.

"I tried that, but now it won't inflate?!"

[Gizmoish]

majordad said:

Re the two types of valve, would it not be that by now, like the C60 Cassette tape over the 8 Track one, one would have dominated and the other become extinct ?

Presta valves are better at holding in higher pressures needed by road bike tyres, but I suspect they're more expensive to make, so up to ~60psi for MTBs they're fine.