Here's another tube I recently came across as an offering for old Raleigh or Schwinn three speed bikes: the Goodyear "blue box" tube.
In a Nutshell: Not a bad option if you can get them on discount, these tubes are somewhat small both in overall circumference and in hose diameter. They have thicker walls than Duro or standard Kenda, but are not as thick as dedicated, "thorn-resistant" type tubes. These are worth checking out if you can get them at a good (budget) price, but I would not go out of my way to find them. Do not confuse these with vintage USA-made Goodyears.
In More Detail:
These are budget tubes advertised as having substantially thicker walls than other budget offerings. The tubes are somewhat smaller than other tubes in this size, both in circumference and in diameter of hose. The valves has a peculiar, white stripe on them. These tubes aren't bad if you are on a budget, but are not a substitute for better "thorn resistant" tubes if you need the extra protection. These aren't bad if you can get them on sale but they are not the long-lasting, USA-made Goodyears of old.
The tubes come with a pair of budget tire levers, which are helpful if you are someone who has no levers on hand, or you are just changing this one set of tubes. The levers are not a substitute for a good, heavy-duty set of levers like those from Park (good) or Pedro's (my favorites for levers).
Where did you get yours, and how much did you pay for them?
ReplyDelete-Shawn
https://societyofthreespeeds.wordpress.com/
These came from an eBay seller. They were selling for around $5 per tube. Shipping was like $9 for a small flat rate box. The shipping was as much as the two tubes were but I figured I would try them because I had never seen them before. If you can get them locally and cheaply, they're not bad, but I wouldn't go trawling the internet for them either. The Schwalbe tubes I reviewed shortly before the Goodyears were definitely a better tube (though a bit more expensive too).
DeleteSchwalbe tubes are the best, hands down. Continental is a close second. I like that because both are German companies, they have the all-metal valve that can take a lock nut like a Presta valve. Once I started using Schwalbe or Conti tubes on my bike, it made it hard to use the "whatever" tubes like Kenda.
Delete-Shawn
https://societyofthreespeeds.wordpress.com/