Ultralight 26" mtb tubes

mattyfez · 2 Dec 2014 at 18:56

Hi, been looking at ways to save on rolling weight without breaking the bank with some fancy rims, I do basically XC riding so not too punishing, the best readily available tubes that are light seem to be maxxis fly weight tubes at 95g including rim tape, does anybody know of any serious competitors to this kind of product?

Thanks

eXist · 2 Dec 2014 at 18:58

not worth it, convert to tubeless with rim strips etc instead

mattyfez · 2 Dec 2014 at 19:09

I did think about that, having no experience of a tubless set up, Reading about it seems like a fair bit of hassle?
I also wondered how much gunk you have to put in, and weather it would be much lighter?

Is a tubeless set up easy to inflate with a cheap mini pump when out and about?

My tyres are tubless ready but not sure about the rims, if they'd need any work.. Seems like hassle but thanks for your opinion and interested to hear more.

weescott · 2 Dec 2014 at 19:38

Light weight tubes aren't worth it. You should never need to inflate tubeless on the trail. That's what a spare tube is for. Sealant will add around 40g per wheel for a standard xc set up. Not a hassle to set up.

neil_g · 2 Dec 2014 at 20:44

Defintely go tubeless. I was skeptical but won't go back now.

Begbie · 3 Dec 2014 at 07:06

I didn't care about tubeless, now I have it I wouldn't go back. I was running 18psi the other week without noticing, well till I checked after, no such thing as a single flat anymore

touch · 3 Dec 2014 at 09:49

What happened to those super light £45 tubes you were going to buy?

mrthingyx · 3 Dec 2014 at 10:01

An unhelpful response...

Hit the gym, start squatting and deadlifting, and make your bike's weight irrelevant whilst looking more awesome at the same time.

mattyfez · 3 Dec 2014 at 11:19

touch said:
What happened to those super light £45 tubes you were going to buy?

Hehe, proven difficult to find a UK supplier and decided they were a bit pricey anyway. Those maxxis ones are less than a tenner so seem like a cheap upgrade.

Supercow · 3 Dec 2014 at 11:35

mrthingyx said:
Hit the gym, start squatting and deadlifting, and make your bike's weight irrelevant whilst looking more awesome at the same time.

...will still not affect the handling of the bike, where it matters most

mrthingyx · 3 Dec 2014 at 13:16

Supercow said:
...will still not affect the handling of the bike, where it matters most

If you're stronger and heavier, the bike will feel different, anyway.

neil_g · 3 Dec 2014 at 13:53

core strength is beneficial for handling.

http://enduro-mtb.com/en/ride-fit-top-5-exercises-for-more-stability-on-the-bike/

Supercow · 3 Dec 2014 at 15:10

neil_g said:
core strength is beneficial for handling.

http://enduro-mtb.com/en/ride-fit-top-5-exercises-for-more-stability-on-the-bike/

Never said it isn't.
Just because another thing is more important, doesn't mean anything else isn't at all

mrthingyx said:
If you're stronger and heavier, the bike will feel different, anyway.

No, it won't..much like the myth that you need to be light to be able to jump a bike well.

Supercow · 3 Dec 2014 at 15:13

ps: I should add, the above statements are based on the literal handling of the bike, by an experienced mountain biker... I also think it's completely pointless for the use that the OP intends.

neil_g · 3 Dec 2014 at 15:20

Supercow said:
Never said it isn't.

never said you said it never said it isnt.

touch · 3 Dec 2014 at 15:21

mrthingyx said:
If you're stronger and heavier, the bike will feel different, anyway.

neil_g said:
core strength is beneficial for handling.

OP didnt say anything about handling. He wants to save weight to go faster, bulking up his core/upper body is going to have the complete opposite effect.

Supercow · 3 Dec 2014 at 15:23

touch said:
OP didnt say anything about handling.

^^ A good point - I think we all agree that OP is wasting his money and our time discussing losing max 200 grams for casual bridleway riding.

Anyone who claims that it does, is talking horse-poop.

neil_g · 3 Dec 2014 at 15:24

touch said:
OP didnt say anything about handling. He wants to save weight to go faster, bulking up his core/upper body is going to have the complete opposite effect.

maybe i shouldve quoted the guy who said hit the gym.

mattyfez · 3 Dec 2014 at 15:56

Jeez, sorry I asked

For the record I asked weather there are any comparable products to the tube I mentioned.

Seeing as they are a fair bit lighter than most and won't break the bank.
I certainly felt the benefit when I put some lighter tyres on so I'm not really interested in opinions on whether it's worth it, a couple of quid more than a regular tube is worth it.. I just wondered if there are any similar tubes I should consider before buying these.

Supercow · 3 Dec 2014 at 16:02

mattyfez said:
Jeez, sorry I asked

Herewith, I absolve you... but now you just have to stop asking said stupid questions, forget about the lightweight tubes (or buy the Maxxis welterweight) and go ride the bike.