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Do you guys preventively change out the inner tubes? Is there a point when they get 'too old' or do you just wait till a blow out. I don't want to end up stranded on a bike ride so wondering if my 3+ yr old tires should be replaced. I ususally ride about 4-5 days a week, 10 miles each a day, 8 months out of a yr. And the other 4 winter months, I ride indoors maybe 3-4 hrs a week.
The back inner tube had a flat and luckily, it was winter so the bike was indoors mounted on a trainer. Turned out a small hole just developed (not from a puncture for sure) which I patched up. I usually bike outdoors (other than winter time) so if the same thing happened during a ride, it'll be much more of a hassle since I'd be many miles from home.
You've got two things here: Inner tubes, and tires.
I've seen tires eventually get a little sketchy with brittle-looking sidewalls, after 10 years or so. As long as the sidewalls look OK, you're probably OK. For me the treads usually go down to the fabric first.
Inner tubes? well, I've never had one fail that looked like age. I can't say I've ever run one more than 10 years old.
At any rate, you need to ALWAYS carry a spare tube and a patch kit, so whatever happens you're prepared.
Yeah! Are you talking inner tubes or tires? Inner tubes will last indefinitely. Rarely do they "blow out". They get punctures from all sorts of road debris. As turf 3 mentions, get a small saddle bag and carry a spare tube and a patch kit. And also a small hand pump. Swap out the tube when you get a puncture while on a ride, and if you get a second puncture, patch it.
Tires on the other hand do have an expiration date. Usually determined by the tread wear. Rear usually wears down faster because it is "supporting" more of a cyclist weight. Keep an eye on the sidewall too. Some will deteriorate quickly, especially in the sun. Examine them periodically for little cuts, and replace immediately if you find one.
tires also rot out from environmental damage, especially ozone, after a period of years. You can tell because the rubber will be cracked. Your blowout risk rises at that point. Inner tubes less so because they're protected by the tires, but considering how cheap they are, why not put in new ones when you put on new tires?
Innertubes tend to wear at the value especially if you have presta. It’s the constant use of the valve that will make them susceptible to breakage.
I swap tubes whenever I change tires about every 2-3 years.
Tubes are cheap. Tires will have wear indicators, small holes on the surface. When the tire wears that hole flat with the rest of the tire surface, it’s time to replace. Time will also make sidewalls crack so watch those as well.
The new technology is tubeless. The tire is mounted to the rim and filled with a latex fluid that fills almost any hole in the tire. I run those on my gravel and MTB bike with, so far, zero flats.
Innertubes tend to wear at the value especially if you have presta. It’s the constant use of the valve that will make them susceptible to breakage..
That's why you're supposed to tighten the little nut. Have been riding on Presta valves almost exclusively since 1982 and have never broken a valve - I might have had a leak at the valve ONCE.
That's why you're supposed to tighten the little nut. Have been riding on Presta valves almost exclusively since 1982 and have never broken a valve - I might have had a leak at the valve ONCE.
Yea. You think Prestas are bad? I can't tell you how many Schraeder valve stems I found cut over the years. They're rubber on the outside, and the rim hole tends to wear through the valve rubber part.
I did have a Presta valve just break off before. Now I know why. I didn't know about the wear indicator holes on tires... hmm I need to see if they are all worn down. Thanks!!
That's why you're supposed to tighten the little nut. Have been riding on Presta valves almost exclusively since 1982 and have never broken a valve - I might have had a leak at the valve ONCE.
The little nut or the post it sits on will bend. The little nut also falls off. They just wear out if you air-up every ride.
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