Road inner tubes for MTB?

[Lewis85]

I feel almost stupid asking this question, but are road inner tubes suitable for MTB or are they not wide enough for the wider tyre sizes? I vaguely remember asking the mechanic when I picked up my bike and I'm sure he said it would be okay because they would just inflate into the extra space. I feel as though this question will be met with a resounding, no! they are not suitable.

Thanks in advance.

[nezumi]

As long as it's a 700/29er the tubes could be used, *but* the tube would still have to be the right size for the tyre - e.g. a 700 x 18-23 tube would not work in a 2" MTB tyre.

[Lewis85]

Pretty sure that I have 1 inch tubes so they won't be able to be used with the 2 inch tyres if I am reading what you have posted correctly.

[mitzikatzi]

Pretty sure that I have 1 inch tubes so they won't be able to be used with the 2 inch tyres if I am reading what you have posted correctly.

I wouldn't

[Lewis85]

I wouldn't

I'm guessing that these...

http://www.this link is broken.au/continental-qu ... nner-tube/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

...in option F are suitable

[trailgumby]

Neither would I.

The bike mechanic is right in theory but I'd have serious questions about reliability. I suspect if they ever got a puncture they would fail catastrophically like a punctured balloon.

The only tube on my mtb is in my camelbak. So not a lot of weight.

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[mitzikatzi]

I wouldn't

I'm guessing that these...

http://www.this link is broken.au/continental-qu ... nner-tube/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

...in option F are suitable

For a 29er. Yes

[Lewis85]

Yes for a 29er. I have been as clear as mud with some of this. Thanks.

[bychosis]

I tried a skinny tube in one of my MTB tyres. Was fine inflated overnight, but by the time I got a few hundred metres from home it went bang and I walked back.

[trailgumby]

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[Duck!]

When you think that a road tube inflated to its normal size is about 1" diameter, and that a 2" MTB tyre is not just double the width but double the height as well, that's bloody close to four times the volume. Sure in theory the tube can stretch that far, but it won't do it consistently; there will be spots that are thinner than others, which will explode at the slightest provocation (as bychosis discovered), and there will also be a bloody big constriction around the valve, which you will feel as a flat spot as the tyre is not fully supported by the tube.

So don't do it.