NGC: Tire gurus, school me on inner tubes

[JoeB]

Looking to put new tires on a Suzy dr 400s. Need to use inner tubes.
Probably according to modern classifications I'm riding 80% road and the other 20% is dirt and gravel. Am not doing anything like dropping pressure for better traction.
Never gave tubes much thought and used what was locally available.
Question is there any advantage or disadvantage of using a heavy inner tube?  Have searched and seen varying opinions.
Would like to know yours.
Thanks, have a good one.

[Sheepdog]

I used a heavy Michelin tube on the front of my Vintage and never had a flat (but fronts are almost never the tire to go flat). It was okay, but the bike seemed to steer better with a standard weight tube. I only used it once. I find that though Metzler and Michelin tubes are premium bits, generic, standard-weight butyl tubes seem to work just as well...especially for a lightweight bike. Try adding a little talcum powder to the inside of the tire/tube when spooning them on. It will reduce heat inside the tire carcass while you’re riding.

[Scud]

Many dirt riders use heavy duty tubes if they are going to run low pressures for traction. The heavy tube is less likely to get pinch-flat in that scenario. Since you are riding mostly street and high pressures, I'd suggest standard tubes (with talcum powder per above).

On a related note: do your wheels have rim locks? If not, you couldn't run low pressures anyway. If so, you might want to get some spoke weights to balance the wheels for street use.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Metzeler tubes (at least the ones I was getting up until I stopped buying them) are made in China now. I prefer IRC tubes, made in Japan, excellent quality at a reasonable cost.

Heavy tubes will build up heat faster and (of course) add to unsprung weight.

[antmanbee]

I always use IRC too. But I think many I get are made in Thailand. But the quality is good.

[mcdammitt]

little round balloons that go inside your tire. Careful don't pinch.............. .

[Guzzistajohn]

I use heavy duty tubes on my KTM woods bike. We have some really rocky rough terrain in the ozarks. Flat tires in the hills miles away from the truck really suck!

[rodekyll]

I use standard tubes unless I need HD for running heavy.  The heat, weight, and more difficult installation makes HD tubes a less attractive option.  Ymmv.

[fotoguzzi]

On my DR I use (Bridgestone?) I know they said made in Japan and that gives me a warm fuzzy feeling.

[wirespokes]

On the R80G/S I've run 20lbs on rough roads, but don't go very fast at that pressure - no faster than 40 or 50 at most. Never a problem.

I haven't bought any new tubes in forever - have to remember that about IRC.

[kingoffleece]

I was under the impression that synthetic tubes hold air "better" and don't bleed pressure as much.  Downside is that when the fail it's a big bang.  Natural rubber will fail in a less spectacular event, but bleed off pressure at a greater rate than synthetic.  I use the natural rubber tubes in case this is correct.  I do trust my source, though.

[kballowe]

We change a lot of tires.

In the past few years, many of the high-end brands moved manufacturing to China, and for the worse - but they STILL want that high price !

The Genuine Harley tubes used to be U.S. made and very good quality, but they have also gone to crap.

We have been using a lot of Kenda or IRC or whatever Drag Specialties is shipping and they have given good service.
Standard tubes. 

Typically - if a wheel shows up with a rim lock, then it gets a heavy-duty tube.  Otherwise, it gets a standard tube.