New tube when changing tire?

[mayhem8]

This is more a general question, but is it the norm to replace a tube on a bike that uses one when you replace a tire?

Looked into having a tire replaced on a bike and the shop wanted $40, which seemed OK, but then he said their rule was, "New tire, new tube". So now it goes from $40 to $70 when you add their charge for the tube.

I'm just thinking that there isn't much to go wrong with a tube, since it never sees the light of day once installed (i.e. no UV to take it out). Is it that it's tough to get a tire off without pinching a tube or is the some other reason for it?

[GrandpaDenny]

Yes, you should replace the tube when you replace the tire. Rubber deteriorates. Yes, all the tube does is hold air, but riddle me this: what part of the tire holds the bike up off the ground?



The air.

[mayhem8]

Part of the reason I ask is that, if I Google it, I'm reading that tubes easily last 10-20 years when not exposed to UV. I would fully expect the tire itself to deteriorate, but not so much the tube. That's what made me think it had something to do with pinching it when changing a tire.

[cushman eagle]

The VXII bikes are normally run tubeless,if that is the bike you are asking about. At least I have always run mine,and the SG1100GK I used to ride.

[SgtSlag]

The rubber tube flexes continuously as you ride. My '79 Honda 750 blew the rear tube, accelerating out of a corner, around 10 years back. Had my son sitting behind me, at the time. Went down at 40 MPH, slid 100'+, down a blacktop road.

Gear kept me safe, only a scratch on one knuckle. My son had bloody road-rash, back of his thighs. Armored jacket elbow ground halfway through its armor pad, saving his elbow.

Change the tube. Please. Cheers!

[Van Voyager]

I always inspect a tube at tire change time and if there's no obvious signs of duress, it goes back in. I always have spare tubes on hand though, so over the course of time, if I haven't replaced the tube in the last several tire changes, I will replace it with one off the shelf in order to get a newer one on the shelf.

[Heavy Armor]

The VXII bikes are normally run tubeless,if that is the bike you are asking about. At least I have always run mine,and the SG1100GK I used to ride.

Yeah cast wheels don't usually need tubes, unless the rim is banged up and won't hold a seal.