Three Speed Bike Tubes - Schwalbe Screw-Down Valve

 

Here are tubes I have not tried before - Schwalbe AV12 tubes. I was attracted to these as a somewhat more premium tube than the basic Kenda types, and I was interested in a tube that had a screw-down Schrader valve, similar to the old Dunlop tubes. 

 

In a Nutshell: Better-made than common Duro or Kenda economy tubes, these tubes also are harder to seat and set up properly on an old three speed bike wheel. They have a screw-down valve that is similar to, but somewhat longer than the old screw-down Dunlop valves. These tubes are good for the mechanic who is careful about seating tubes, wants a better tube, and who wants a screw-down valve. This tube may be a challenge for a the occasional home mechanic who has a hard time seating tubes and tires as it is.

 

In more detail:

These tubes are not specific to old three speed bikes. They claim to fit a wide variety of "26 inch" wheels. It is common for tubes to accommodate a few different sizes (unlike most tire shells) because they and be stretched a bit.  That said, the common three speed sizes (650A / 590mm and EA1 / 597mm) are somewhat at the limit of rim size for these tubes. The 650A and EA1 sizes are listed on the package as compatible, though are at the top end of rim diameter for these tubes. (26 x 1-3/8 and 26 x 1-1/4).

I like the screw-down valve stem, which helps set the tube at the start of seating and helps to keep the valve stem straight in the rim. It also helps steady the valve when you're filling with air.

These tubes are thicker and more substantial than the cheaper Kenda or Duro tubes. The valves are noticeably better-made and more robust. Oddly, they come with a kind of cheap, clear plastic valve stem cap. I will swap these to the old-style, metal Schrader valve caps with the built-in valve tool (again, as often found on the Dunlops).

These tubes were harder to seat than Duro or Kenda tubes. In fact, the diameter of the tube loop overall seems somewhat smaller than the Duro or Kenda. The thicker tube walls also make them a little harder to seat and keep inside the tire shell when mounting.

Overall, my impression is this is a somewhat better-made tube than the Kenda or Duro, which are common replacements on old three speed bikes today. They are somewhat more expensive and somewhat harder to seat. The screw-down valve stem is a nice addition, but is somewhat longer than the old Dunlop valve stems were (it's not a dead-on replacement for the old Dunlop).

These tubes are an option where you don't mind more work seating the tire and tube, where you want a little bit thicker and more substantial tube, and where you want a screw-down valve stem. These tubes may not work if you struggle to seat and properly set up the more common Kenda or Duro tubes. These tubes are also not a true replacement for high-dollar, "thorn resistant" type tubes. While they are more substantial than the cheaper, common tubes, they also are not as heavy-duty as a tube that is a dedicated tube for thorn resistant purposes.