Topic: presta vs schrader tubes

[silentneko]

If they lose pressure during a ride it because it has a thorn or piece of wire in it. ( both happened last Sat am)

This is what is driving me nuts! I've changed the tubes, tires, and rim strips, and now I've gone through the rims and filed down any ruff edges I've seen or felt. I've left the valve ring off, had it tight, and had it loose. I've tightened the valve nut with lite pressure, and heavy, and even with pliers. Somethings got to be wrong! I'm running higher pressure then most of you guys and still crapping out. and I'm tired of throwing money at it.

[fatcamper]

I'm just curious, do you put a little bit of air in the tube prior to putting it in the tire?
I don't know how this would change anything, but I did want to ask.

[Redriderpro]

Humor us. Use a guage, put 35 lb in them and ride, report back.

[silentneko]

I usually put just a little air in my tube to hold the shape while I'm putting it in. Is this wrong? I'll try it totally flat it you think it will help?
 
RRP I'll try anything at this point, but how is 35lbs going to be any different when the tubes aren't holding the 36lbs I ran yesterday?

[slowfatguy]

How did you measure the pressure yesterday? If you are using the gauge on your pump, try a different pump to make sure your gauge is reading correctly.

[silentneko]

I used a tire guage, but even without it I can tell I'm losing major air. Tire starts off firm, then after riding goes soft and sags and slides everywhere.

[bigbunion]

I think you need to try Green Slim or Stans.  You can buy tubes with Green Slim already in it. They have them at performance. Mountain bike 26" presta or schrader

[drb81]

I say pull the tube out, air it up and dunk it under water or spray soapy water on it. If you're losing air that fast you should be able to see where it is leaking from.

[slowfatguy]

I say pull the tube out, air it up and dunk it under water or spray soapy water on it. If you're losing air that fast you should be able to see where it is leaking from.

or dunk the whole wheel/tire underwater first. There has to be something cutting the tubes, or your gauge is off and you aren't running as much pressure as you thought.

[steve]

I used a tire guage, but even without it I can tell I'm losing major air. Tire starts off firm, then after riding goes soft and sags and slides everywhere.

Would this be a bike tire guage?

[silentneko]

Sorry guys, I've been in class all week so I haven't gotten out again yet. I assume it is a bike tire guage since I got it at a bike shop, I'll test it against the digital one I have and see if they match. I'll make sure to take a guage with me so I can tell you how much I'm loosing when I have to pump them up. My bike is already very heavy compaired to most so I'd like to avoid adding more, but if thats what it takes......

[silentneko]

Think I may have found the issue. Not from riding, but from reading reviews and accounts of the maxxis Ignitors I'm running. I keep seeing reports of pinch flats at lower pressure (under 40psi) One report said the guy needed to run nearly 50psi to keep them from flatting out. So I'm heading out soon and my plan is now to put 2 new tubes in and run somewhere north of 40, maybe 45psi and see what happens. I'll let you guys know.

[Darrinw2001]

how much do you weigh? I had ignotors and unless they are the eXceptions (lighter race tire) they should not pinch flat any worse than other tires.. I am 260 lbs and was running 35 psi rear and 30psi up front..

[silentneko]

I'm 230lbs butt naked
 
Anyway I think I solved the issue, but I'll need to run higher pressure. I just got back from LHP and I started out with 2 new tubes and with 45psi in the rear and 40psi up front. I checked my pressure once at the top of snake ridge ( 44psi rear, 39psi front) and again at the car (43-44psi rear, 38-39psi front). I can live with 1 or 2 psi difference, especially since I made it without getting a flat and didn't need to pump up mid ride. Only downfall seems to be my * hurting slightly more from the harder ride but I'll adjust. I didn't do to many major climbs but the ones I did attempt I was able to make and didn't feel to much of a difference.
 
So from this I can see it was never the valves that were the issue, thanks to some random internet reviews I now know it was the tire design. Thanks for the help guys.