what about inner tubes?
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Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Pittsburgh
what about inner tubes?
With all the buzz going on about beadlocks I was wondering whatever happened to just running inner tubes in our tires? I know there's the possibility of the tube slipping if the tire spins on the rim, but that's what sheet metal screws are for (screw the rim to the lip itself). If you do that and run a presta valve tube or a steel neck schraeder valve there is little chance of failure.
Justin
Justin
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Des Moines, Iowa
there is a company around that uses this system as an alternative to bead locks. they seel a kit with the inner tubes and screws and other stuff i can't remember. i have to go find it. anyone know what i am talking about?
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
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From: Atlanta GA
> whatever happened to just running inner tubes in our tires?
How I understand it, correct me if I am wrong because I am not a tire expert, though I have changed maybe a few hundred including lots of Firestones
On older tires that took inner tubes, the tubes kept the tire on the rims be pressing the tire to the rim and also supported the tire and the weight it carried. Also, they were highly likely to develop leaks, holes, and blowouts. If you air down one of these the tire will just come off the rim or get pinched and put a hole in the tube when the rim presses into the inner tube from above. Think tall rim sides like a 10 speed and how often kids need tires repaired.
On newer tubeless tires, bias and radial, the bead keeps the tire on the rim with air pressure. On these rims there is really nothing to keep an old style tube on the rim (it will just slide off) and using it will gain you nothing because you need the air pressure to seat the bead (on 15/16" rims you have steps the bead slides up on when aired up - front side usually bigger than the back side - called a safety lip/bead), which the tube will not do.
The tube will press against the lower ridge and sidewall without pressing against the bead itself. So, the only thing preventing the tire from spinning on the rim is the friction from the top of the tube. This will quickly give way without warning, especially at highway speeds. Which is one reason you would need screws if you are going to use tubes.
The other thing is when rubber rubs against metal, it loses. Today's tubeless rims are not smooth, have all sorts of ridges and bumps, and there is no pad inside.
You might find a tube tire on OTR and military stuff (like a Pinz.), but, anyone that does any kind of highway driving quickly replaces them with modern radials.
How I understand it, correct me if I am wrong because I am not a tire expert, though I have changed maybe a few hundred including lots of Firestones
On older tires that took inner tubes, the tubes kept the tire on the rims be pressing the tire to the rim and also supported the tire and the weight it carried. Also, they were highly likely to develop leaks, holes, and blowouts. If you air down one of these the tire will just come off the rim or get pinched and put a hole in the tube when the rim presses into the inner tube from above. Think tall rim sides like a 10 speed and how often kids need tires repaired.
On newer tubeless tires, bias and radial, the bead keeps the tire on the rim with air pressure. On these rims there is really nothing to keep an old style tube on the rim (it will just slide off) and using it will gain you nothing because you need the air pressure to seat the bead (on 15/16" rims you have steps the bead slides up on when aired up - front side usually bigger than the back side - called a safety lip/bead), which the tube will not do.
The tube will press against the lower ridge and sidewall without pressing against the bead itself. So, the only thing preventing the tire from spinning on the rim is the friction from the top of the tube. This will quickly give way without warning, especially at highway speeds. Which is one reason you would need screws if you are going to use tubes.
The other thing is when rubber rubs against metal, it loses. Today's tubeless rims are not smooth, have all sorts of ridges and bumps, and there is no pad inside.
You might find a tube tire on OTR and military stuff (like a Pinz.), but, anyone that does any kind of highway driving quickly replaces them with modern radials.
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Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Pittsburgh
I know how tubeless tires work and why we went to them, but my "our" was referring to offroaders. Everyone is making a big deal about beadlocks, but if you use a radial with a tube and screw the rim to the lip of the tire you can run very low pressures and still function and at a fraction of the cost. I'm not saying this is the best way to do it (beadlocks are of course), but bang for your buck you can't beat it.
Justin
Justin
