Bike tubing Black Friday: discounts on road and cross
A tubular bike tyre on sale Black Friday requires wheels with rims for tubeless tyres, without hooks: make sure to check yours beforehand. The promotions of the operation are on road, track, and cyclo-cross tubulars, ranging from 25 to 33 mm wide, and Vélo-Store is running them throughout November; compare the casing, tube, and rubber before the displayed price.
Bike Tubes on Black Friday: your rims come first
The tube combines tire and inner tube in a sealed cover, glued onto a rim specifically for it. A wheel for a clincher or tubeless tire cannot accommodate it. So first identify the type of rim and then its width: a 25 or 28 mm tube fits most current road rims, while a 33 mm suits cyclo-cross wheels. If you're riding on tires and looking for wheels, check out the wheels on Black Friday and the tires from the sale.
Discounted Tubes: comparing two models of the same use
A discounted track tube does not replace a cyclo-cross tube: compare the discount with a model of the same use and width, then check the product details for the casing and inner tube. The casing affects flexibility: the higher its threads per inch (TPI), the better the tube conforms to the road, at the cost of lower resistance to cuts. The inner tube, made of latex for racing models and butyl for training ones, affects the pressure retention. Finally, the tread depends on usage: smooth for track, thin for road, and knobby for mud. At the same width, compare the intended use before considering the stated weight.
Installation, glue and nearby pages
A tube is glued with special glue or double-sided tape after being stretched on a rim for a few days to take shape. Keep a folded spare tube under your saddle if you ride far. Throughout the year, the bike tubes page details each construction; the section wheels and tires on Black Friday gathers other items from the sale, and the new arrivals lists the latest products.
Which brands of tubes?
Vittoria, based in Brembate near Bergamo, makes its Corsa Pro on a 320 TPI cotton casing and offers the Pista Speed for velodromes.
Tufo, a Czech manufacturer from Zlín and Otrokovice, is known for its vulcanized tubes; the page features its Elite and Hi-Composite for road and the Cubus and Dry Plus for cyclo-cross.
Continental handcrafts, in Korbach, its Competition tube, which combines BlackChili rubber with a Vectran puncture-resistant belt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you mount a tube on a standard rim?
No. A clincher rim has hooks that hold the tire beads, while a tubular rim has a rounded hollow where the tube is glued. Therefore, wheels designed for tubulars are required.
When can you take advantage of Black Friday discounts on tubes?
Its name refers to the Friday after Thanksgiving; at Vélo-Store, however, tubes on discount are available throughout November, a good time to plan for the spare tube for the next season.
How to repair a punctured tube?
A small puncture can often be sealed with a preventive liquid injected through the valve when its core is removed. For larger issues, the repair requires unpicking and resewing the cover, a job for a specialized workshop.
What width of tube for cyclo-cross?
The UCI regulations limit cyclo-cross tires to 33 mm in competition, and most tubes in the discipline adopt this width. Outside of racing, there’s nothing stopping you from using a wider model if your bike frame allows it.
How long can a spare tube last?
Several seasons if kept away from light, heat, and ozone, slightly inflated or folded without sharp edges. Check the rubber's flexibility before fitting it.
