BC Club forum boards => General Chat and Ideas => Topic started by: Galactica on March 14, 2023, 06:59:54 PM



Title: Are new tubes necessary?
Post by: Galactica on March 14, 2023, 06:59:54 PM
Here’s a question.  If you are replacing tires because they’re worn, is there any compelling reason to replace tubes and rim tape at the same time.  Shops like to up sell this, but really, is it all that important?


Title: Re: Are new tubes necessary?
Post by: Steve G. on March 14, 2023, 07:05:29 PM
  Rim tape should be no problem. I think a tube is more important that the tire, and tire replacement always should come with new tubes IMO.


Title: Re: Are new tubes necessary?
Post by: hardrockminer on March 14, 2023, 07:44:49 PM
I only replace tubes when they show signs of damage or if they have been punctured.  That goes for my pedal bikes as well.  If the rim strip is in good shape I will reuse it forever.


Title: Re: Are new tubes necessary?
Post by: Hawkeye on March 14, 2023, 08:14:58 PM
We were heading to Vintage in the Valley and approaching Merritt. My Goldwing suddenly got mushy. When I pulled over, the front tire was flat. We found out that the valve stem was split open. I guess previous owners had replaced tires, but not valve stems. Not worth having a tire go flat at highway speed.


Title: Re: Are new tubes necessary?
Post by: Steve G. on March 14, 2023, 08:26:41 PM
  Valve stems are part of the tube, from what I think your explaining?


Title: Re: Are new tubes necessary?
Post by: hardrockminer on March 15, 2023, 05:18:36 AM

It was a tubeless tire.


Title: Re: Are new tubes necessary?
Post by: Galactica on March 15, 2023, 08:39:22 AM
Here’s a question.  If you are replacing tires because they’re worn, is there any compelling reason to replace tubes and rim tape at the same time.  Shops like to up sell this, but really, is it all that important?

In my original post, I should have stressed the word “compelling”. 


Title: Re: Are new tubes necessary?
Post by: Hawkeye on March 15, 2023, 08:17:09 PM
Basically, if you don't know the age of the tube (or valve stem, in the case of tubeless), change it. Then you'll know how old it is.