inner tube quality

I apologise if this is a daft question, but is there a reason to buy more expensive inner tubes from famous brands? I was at Decathlon the other day and saw that their own-label inner tubes are 3 euros each. Is there an inner tube and an inner tube? Is Decathlon the former and Schwalbe et al the latter? What's the difference?

I'm not entirely sure...something to do with weight and ability to hold pressure? I get continentals from wiggle at £2.99 anyway, so pretty cheap.

Theres not really any difference between decathlon tubes, and branded ones. Go for the cheapest!

Apart from if you need longer valve ones, then it sucks.

I bet most of them come from the same factory anyway, I've certainly never been able to tell the difference between one make and another.

Don't buy Specialized tubes - they are shit.. even the expensive ones in the red packets, that are covered in talc. They are so so so so shit.

Continental's tubes seem to be the best as far as I can tell

Many thanks for all the replies. The point about not getting a long valve is well taken, but I am not quite persuaded that it is a good enough reason, especially if one can buy extensions that can be transferred from one valve to another.

Bigtwin, you read my mind. :-)

some tubes are really shit, but mostly doesn't matter.

Michelin because they don't have silly threaded stems

some tubes are really shit, but mostly doesn't matter.

excellent

Styandard Conti's for commuting, and other utility style cycling.
Michelin Latex for more performance orientated cycling.

the decathlon inner tubes are fine, good even. they do a long valve version for deep rims

buying in bulk is the way forward

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-track-bike/Road-Inner-Tubes-Continental-Race-28-Inner-Tube-10-Rate/CONTTUBE400

Apart from if you need longer valve ones, then it sucks.

60mm valve in 700 and 650 £2.99 Wiggle.

Inner tubes have a massive mark up. I think specialized come in at about £1 of slightly less from maddison and maddison buy them for about 30 -40 pence from spech. Decathlon, big superstore, non branded inner tubes maybe bypass distributor costs = cheap tubes.

I hadn't realised that D have a long valve version. I don't have deep rims but good to know. Thanks, jv.

Smallfurry, what are the advantages of latex? I seem to recall reading somewhere that latex tubes are lighter but actually do not retain air as well as rubber. Is it just a weight question?

I got some cheapo made in India tube a while back and that thing is indestructible. Got it up to full pressure and it popped out from betwixt rim and tyre and it didn't even tear...

I hadn't realised that D have a long valve version. I don't have deep rims but good to know. Thanks, jv.

Smallfurry, what are the advantages of latex? I seem to recall reading somewhere that latex tubes are lighter but actually do not retain air as well as rubber. Is it just a weight question?

Increased flexibility giving increased comfort and better speed (tube deforms more readily over the road imperfections causing less resistance/slow down)

Only Smallfurry can actually notice any of this though :-)

I always wondered about those ribbed ones. I got curious about the Inspiral ones so I tried it but did not notice any difference. I still have an unopened packet of 6 if anyone wants it -- expiring Feb 2011.

I always wondered about those ribbed ones. I got curious about the Inspiral ones so I tried it but did not notice any difference. I still have an unopened packet of 6 if anyone wants it -- expiring Feb 2011.

i bet you started this thread just so you could drop that wak joke ;)

Only Smallfurry can actually notice any of this though :-)

He has the arse of a princess.

jv, I wish I could take credit for that, but I don't know enough to have anticipated someone mentioning latex, comfort and speed...:-)

BTW, I wasn't joking about the packet of Inspiral. Free, free p&p. Discreet envelope. It's been sitting in my office desk drawer for ages now.

60mm valve in 700 and 650 £2.99 Wiggle.

I need 70+

^show off.