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SPECIALIZED STANDARD MTB
From about £4: Weight 169g:
Size 26x1.5/2.2in: Valve
Type Schrader & Presta:
Light for a
standard tube, weight is
only 30g more than most
dedicated lightweight tubes.
A good all rounder. |
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BONTRAGER MTB
From about £4: Weight 128g:
Size 26x1.95/2.35in: Valve
Type Presta:
Manufactures
claimed weight is suspect
for this tube. But it's a
quality choice for weight
conscious racers. |
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BONTRAGER SUPERLIGHT
From about £5.49: Weight
181g: Size 26x1.95/2.35in:
Valve Type Presta:
Good weight for a
general purpose tube &
they'll fit fatter tyres
with ease. Not as heavy as
the 'Conti' ones. |
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BONTRAGER SELF SEALING
From about £8: Weight 313g:
Size 26x1.75/2.35in: Valve
Type Schrader & Presta:
A good self
sealer filled with green
sealing liquid, plugs most
of the trail encountered
sharpies. |
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SALSA DOWNHILL
From about £7.50: Weight
662g: Size 26x2.4/2.75in:
Valve Type Schrader:
It's the mother
of all tubes, very big, very
heavy and very tough. It
looks and feels like a
motorbike tube too. |
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SALSA SUPERLIGHT
From about £4.50: Weight
122g: Size 26x1.5/2.0in:
Valve Type Schrader:
Good race weight
at a good price. 0.73mm
thick in 20, 24 & 26in
diameters and it feels
quality too. If you're
looking for light weight on
the cheap, this should fit
the bill. |
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CONTINENTAL SUPERSONIC
From about £10: Weight 96g:
Size 26x1.9/2.1in: Valve
Type Presta:
It's lighter then
the 100g weight printed on
the box. The supersonic is a
racers tube and a good back
up for your tubeless system
too. It is on the expensive
side and not recommended for
long term use. |
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CONTINENTAL MTB 26
From about £4: Weight 216g:
Size 26x1.75/2.5in: Valve
Type Schrader & Presta:
The best
all-rounder, but not
exceptionally light, but the
tubes are built to last for
some time. Ideal for anyone
who's not obsessed by
weight. |
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CONTINENTAL LIGHT
From about £7: Weight 123g:
Size 26x1.75/2.5in: Valve
Type Presta:
A good tube,
cheaper than the
'Superlight' version and
only 25g heavier. This high
quality tube comes with a
long 60mm valve for aero
rims. |
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SLIME SELF SEALING
From about £7: Weight 335g:
Size 26x1.7in: Valve Type
Presta:
This system is
great at sealing small holes
with a green slime. It's an
ideal tube for long distance
trails 'Bicyclemania
trailfinders use it'. Ideal
if your not bothered about
the extra weight and cant be
bothered to keep sorting out
punctures. |
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12 T O P T
U B E T I P S |
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1 |
Never leave home without
a pump, you can make do
without a tube, but no
pump & you're walking. |
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2 |
On a long ride, it's a
good idea to carry at
least two spare tubes
with you, plus pump
dipstick. |
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3 |
Make sure you pack a
repair kit with you,
just in case you get
through all your tubes. |
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4 |
Always check the tyre
and rim for any sharp
edges before you fit a
new or repaired tube. |
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5 |
Too make changing tubes
easier, partially
inflate the tube to give
it some shape before
fitting. |
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6 |
Make sure you do not
pinch your tubes when
fitting them with tyre
leavers, it will damage
the tube. |
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7 |
Did you know, you can
fit a Presta valve into
a Schrader rim but not
the other way around.
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8 |
Schrader valves
withstand more abuse
better than Presta
valves, plus you can
drill out Presta rims to
make fit. |
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9 |
Save seconds in race
conditions leave off the
collar ring when
changing tubes. (Down
side is prone to damage)
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10 |
To save money, always
try and buy tubes in
bulk. |
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11 |
Thinner diameter tubes
will expand into fatter
tyres, but you can't go
the other way with big
fat tubes. |
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12 |
Did you know Schrader
valves can be removed
and repaired. |
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