Page 1 of 1
Quality Inner Tubes
Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2019 11:31 am
by Ruxstel24
Not asking for a debate on metal vs rubber stems...just quality/"freshness".
I use rubber stems and my old man did as long as I can remember with no problems.
Who carries the best quality tubes at a good price ? Looking at some tires today and want to put new tubes in when I mount the tires.
30 X 3-1/2" BTW.
Thanks !!
Re: Quality Inner Tubes
Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2019 1:48 pm
by Adam
Best tubes I’ve seen in a long time as far as holding air are the Hartford brand. I’ve been getting them from Universal since maybe about this time last year. I’ve put about a dozen of them in and so far no problems.
Re: Quality Inner Tubes
Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2019 1:54 pm
by Mustang1964s
Adam,
Do you have a URL for the inner tubes?
I am beginning stages to hunt for tubes and tires.
Re: Quality Inner Tubes
Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2019 2:12 pm
by ChrisB
Re: Quality Inner Tubes
Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2019 3:54 pm
by Steve Jelf
As far as I know there are three sources: China (Hartford), India (Custom Classic), and EEC (no name). I've had flats with the first two, but I don't know if they were all because of the tubes. One of them definitely was, though. I had a Custom Classic that I patched seven times before I finally threw it away. It kept splitting along a fold, probably from sitting folded too long. I haven't used the EEC tube yet. If no brand is specified on a website, I expect you can find out with a phone call.
Re: Quality Inner Tubes
Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2019 4:46 pm
by Ruxstel24
Thanks for the tips, I ordered 2 from Corker.
I went and got the 2 used tires. 2 F/S with maybe half the tread and no cracks that I saw. $100 for both.
I also found a used tube...made in USA !!
And a Ruckstell shifter.
Re: Quality Inner Tubes
Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2019 5:02 pm
by TWrenn
The last 4 tubes I just got this winter for my "whities" I got from Langs and they are Hartford. Made in China
Re: Quality Inner Tubes
Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2019 5:13 pm
by Jugster
There are several absolutely wonderful Model T supply sources. It happens that I started out with Lang's when I bought my Model T in 2010 and for the better part of a decade, they've extended every courtesy to keep me happy.
Their service is second to none. When I purchased a top boot which didn't fit—and I ripped it trying make it fit—they replaced it with a boot custom-made to fit my car's non-standard top dimensions. No extra charge, not even for shipping. You can't beat that. It's been my experience that they stand behind anything they sell, so when I need inner-tubes, they're the folks to whom I'll give my business. They've earned my loyalty.
Re: Quality Inner Tubes
Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2019 5:48 pm
by DanTreace
Just received new 21" rubber stem tubes.
"Hartford' brand (made in China) from Coker.
This tube weighed in at nearly 3 lbs! I like the thicker heavier tube.
The "Custom Classic" Heavy Duty, (made in India) from Lang's, weighed in at just under 2 1/2 lbs.
Re: Quality Inner Tubes
Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2019 9:34 pm
by MWalker
I'm glad to hear that they are selling some thicker tubes now.
Re: Quality Inner Tubes
Posted: Wed Apr 17, 2019 12:55 am
by Alan Long
To date in Western Australia we have had most success with the Hartford Brand also.
However, inner Tubes manufactured today leave a lot to be desired to say the ones available in the 60’s and 70’s.
Our Australian Consumer Law protect us from items that are not “Fit for purpose” and in my opinion all
Tubes mentioned above are not good enough. The material used is suspect and not 100% Butyl, wall thickness is well under
earlier types plus the Vulcanisation of stem to tube is poor.
The suppliers such as Lang’s should demand that Tube (and Tyre) manufactures supply them to the original specifications
I for one, would pay twice the price for a real quality tube that I have 100% confidence in. Butyl Tubes from the 60’s
fitted in my 26 T do not drop pressure over a year while my later ones on the Veteran T drop 20 - 30 psi in 8 weeks. I have eliminated the cause due to valves.
Metric version Michelin are popular in Europe and one UK company is gearing up to make old fashion tubes again.
Cheers. Alan
Re: Quality Inner Tubes
Posted: Thu Apr 18, 2019 8:05 am
by Allan
Ditto for tyres Alan. The rubbish served up today is not fit for purpose. If you can't wear them out before they crack up, or they wear out just getting from LA to the Centennial in Richmond, they are not fit for purpose. The vendors have a problem the suppliers are not prepared to fix.
Allan from down under.
Re: Quality Inner Tubes
Posted: Thu Apr 18, 2019 8:26 am
by RustyFords
Alan Long wrote: ↑Wed Apr 17, 2019 12:55 am
I for one, would pay twice the price for a real quality tube that I have 100% confidence in. Butyl Tubes from the 60’s
fitted in my 26 T do not drop pressure over a year while my later ones on the Veteran T drop 20 - 30 psi in 8 weeks. I have eliminated the cause due to valves.
I would as well.
When it comes to old car parts...whenever there's a choice clearly specified between a lower priced, lower quality version and a higher priced, high quality version, I ALWAYS opt for the higher quality version.
Always.
Re: Quality Inner Tubes
Posted: Fri Apr 19, 2019 3:06 pm
by Ruxstel24
Received my Hartford tubes from Coker today. Pretty quick service. They look and feel soft and fresh, seem as thick as the USA ones I reused. So far they are holding, but I have a couple backups now.
Yeah, made in China.
Thanks for the suggestions.
Re: Quality Inner Tubes
Posted: Fri Apr 19, 2019 8:21 pm
by Allan
Dave, if you have room and a cool place to store them, the backups are best unfolded, and lightly aired to hold their shape. I would not hold today's new tubes for backups too long. They will perish at the folds much quicker than the old style tubes.
Allan from down under.
Re: Quality Inner Tubes
Posted: Fri Apr 19, 2019 11:31 pm
by Steve Jelf
...the backups are best unfolded, and lightly aired to hold their shape.
I agree. That's how I keep mine. It's too bad you can't take them on a trip like that.
Re: Quality Inner Tubes
Posted: Sat Apr 20, 2019 10:53 pm
by Nv Bob
Hartford tubes just bought 5 from Summit racing
All fresh nice and thick rubber stem 30x3.5
21" tubes i get there as well but get there 20" ones
Realy thick and always been fresh feeling rubber
30x3.5 was $22 a tube 21" was around $15
Re: Quality Inner Tubes
Posted: Sat Apr 20, 2019 10:57 pm
by Ruxstel24
Price is about the same, but I forgot about Summit...I live about 20 minutes away !!
Shipping was almost $20
Re: Quality Inner Tubes
Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2019 12:52 pm
by Nv Bob
Ruxstel24
Summit if your irder over $99 free shipping well thats what ive got.
They also carry the inner timken front bearing and seal both races plus paints polishes oils and shop supplies so easy get it up to free shipping