How tough are inner tubes

[jimmy156]

How tough are inner tubes when not inflated?

I have one that is uncerimoniously stuffed into a saddle bag with, levers, multi tools, the occasional door key etc. Is this likely to give me problems when I try and use it?

[Some Gump]

Thats how mine live! Never caused me any bother.

[TwistingMyMelon]

Worth checking/changing if theyve been sat for a while

I had same issue, got a puncture just when it was getting dark in an empty woods, changed tube without levers ...new one wouldn't inflate

Took out tube and put second in ....being very careful....same bloody issue!! I tripplechecked tyre

Now stuck in the dark with no bloody tubes, gaffer taped up the original tube and managed to limp back to car

I think both tubes had sat in my saddlebag and a tool had pricked it, when I put a new shop bought tube in all was fine

[gazza285]

If they are moving about then it is not inconceivable that a hole can wear in them, I didn’t have a puncture for months, but when I did the two spare tubes I had had worn through. Walked home...

[Ares]

Being a stickler for The Rules, I never use a saddlebag (Rule29 // No European Posterior Man-Satchels.)

My tools are in an Italian Box, so the tube goes on one half with gloves, protected from the other half that houses leavers/gas canister/quicklinks/etc.

[wong]

I keep them in the original box, or put them in a small ziplock type bag, then in the saddle bag.

[ian in lancs]

i put them inside a plastic coke bottle with the neck cut off. Gives enough protection in the saddle mounted mini bag

[Justin S]

Wrap mine tight in a few goes round with electrical tape. Stops them unravelling and then have some tape if I cut the tyre and stick inside . Its not a total fix but better than nothing...........

[anonymous-user]

A tube I had loose in my saddle bag had a hole worn in it by a chain tool and multi tool. Though my commute has a decent portion of off road on it which increases the wear. Wrap it up.

[otherman]

What are your thoughts on Giant (or other brand) thorn proof tubes. Sorry if this is a well worn question - not a regular in pedal powered.

I put them on both bikes, since when no punctures and they stay up longer.

[Shinysideup]

If you leave them them exposed to sunlight they will perish over time.

[jimmy156]

Thanks all!

Mine is proper tightly packed in a tiny saddle bag, so not a lot of movement / abrasion. I may wrap something around it in the future for some added protection based on your experiences!

[Gareth79]

Ares said:

Being a stickler for The Rules, I never use a saddlebag (Rule29 // No European Posterior Man-Satchels.)

My tools are in an Italian Box, so the tube goes on one half with gloves, protected from the other half that houses leavers/gas canister/quicklinks/etc.

What's an Italian Box? Sounds useful.

[Julietbravo]

There is the chance that your second puncture was not a deteriorated tube, but a failure to remove the foreign object out of the tyre in the dark. If you can't find why the tyre burst, don't replace the innertube because it will go again. Speaking from experience...

[Some Gump]

Gareth79 said:

Ares said:

Being a stickler for The Rules, I never use a saddlebag (Rule29 // No European Posterior Man-Satchels.)

My tools are in an Italian Box, so the tube goes on one half with gloves, protected from the other half that houses leavers/gas canister/quicklinks/etc.

What's an Italian Box? Sounds useful.

It's much like an English box (more commonly referred to as a cricketers box) but it has 2 components, one for the tool and the other for tubes, lube, that sort of thing.

[Ares]

Gareth79 said:

Ares said:

Being a stickler for The Rules, I never use a saddlebag (Rule29 // No European Posterior Man-Satchels.)

My tools are in an Italian Box, so the tube goes on one half with gloves, protected from the other half that houses leavers/gas canister/quicklinks/etc.

What's an Italian Box? Sounds useful.

A tool caddy that fits in a second bottle cage or on bespoke bolts.

Two of mine:

Normal in rear bottle cage:


Bespoke fitting on Gravel Bike:

[loudlashadjuster]

Before tubeless I kept mine is the bottom of an Eltie Byasi (aka Italian box, as I've learned today ) and never had any problems. I do keep it tightly packed and wrap everything individually in kitchen roll though, which as well as stopping rattles/rubbing, doubles up as something to clean up with after any tyre/chain intervention.

[Gareth79]

Ares said:

A tool caddy that fits in a second bottle cage or on bespoke bolts.

Ah, thanks! On longer rides when I want to take more tools I tend to take two bottles which would be a problem.... although my new gravel frame has those underside bolts, so it'll be an option for that.

[Ares]

Gareth79 said:

Ares said:

A tool caddy that fits in a second bottle cage or on bespoke bolts.

Ah, thanks! On longer rides when I want to take more tools I tend to take two bottles which would be a problem.... although my new gravel frame has those underside bolts, so it'll be an option for that.

I never take more than one bottle. Upgrade to a 750ml if I'm worried about finding a shop/cafe/petrol station for a couple of hours.