MTFCA Forum

Just got these new metal stem tubes in the mail ...

Like a bad Camel they Went from 2 humps to one hump overnite..
Will these conform to the tire evenly once fitted ?
Universal seem to say they will.. your thoughts ??

EEC type from Universals....

The bulge indicates thin spots in the tubes. All tubes will do the same. The real concern to my eyes is these tubes are doing so at minimal pressure. They are still very skinny for the most. The older butyl tubes with which I am familiar will expand to be larger than the tyres will ever allow before there is any swelling at any one point. Is this another indication of inferior rubber supplied by the usual suspect suppliers?

Allan from down under.

I would expect that to happen after the rest of the tube has expanded beyond the tire size, not before, but of course once in a tire it is constrained. I would try it and see what happens.

Jeff is correct. An inter tube, esp. small bicycle tubes size , with thin wall the T uses, can’t take any pressure outside the tire casing. Result is the tube will expand like that several times it’s diameter.

If you go looking for problems, you are very likely to find something you don’t like. Even though the pressure is very low to almost non-existent, what you have there are tubes that have been expanded far beyond the size they would ever be inside a tire. Does that fatigue the rubber or make it porous? Maybe, maybe not...

Did the tubes come in boxes with the “Hartford” brand on them? I’ve installed at least 40 Hartford Tubes with absolutely zero issues. All those tires had flaps and I don’t add anything besides the tube, tire, and flap (no lubricant, talc, starch, soap, powder, plastic bags, or any other crutch). The new flaps come from the manufacturer with a small amount of lubricant already on them and it is exactly the right amount exactly where it is needed.

The metal stem tubes u see here came in opaque cellophane type bag and are the EEC brand..
The Hartford ones come only as rubber stem not metal stem that i know of

It looks like an annurism. Only way to tell would be to use inside the tire. I don't think it will expand that far when inside. I would install them and let all the air out, then pump up again to correct pressure and do not use them on the road for a few weeks. Then take the car out and slowly drive around. Even take them on a gravel road (if such a thing is clear of ice or snow) and drive around for a while. Once you are satisfied they will hold up, then drive as you usually do. But that's only my opinion, since I have not had any tubes like that.
Norm

question is, has anyone else had this problem...me for one no....I get my long stem rubber tubes from langs and have never had any problems....some other suppliers the rubber stem is too short that makes it hard to air up...my 2 cents ...

...I get my long stem rubber tubes from langs...

What brand?

As Jeff said, once the tire is mounted and constrainned within the confines of the tire and inflated to the correct pressure it will be fine. I would not worry. Jim Patrick

Steve, i am not sure of the brand sorry...but they seem to be made of a good heavy type of material...

The new tubes from Blockley are absolutely the best you can get. Extreme thick wall. https://www.blockleytyre.com/product/30x3-5-inner-tube

Sounds like the Blockley tubes are made to better standards of quality. Good on them! Finally we have a quality product available in their tyres and tubes.
Allan from down under.

Thankyou to everyone ..i will fit & try them in near future & list the result...
I saw the Blockley type tube..its a shame they dont make the 30x3 size..

Where are these made?

The valve stems seem to be a little large in diameter around the base of the stem. Will not seat all the way in a 21 inch wire rim. Then its a bear to try and get it back out.

Where are these made?

Have you inspected them closely all over? Hartford (China) and Custom Classic (India) are marked with the country of origin. EEC tubes (Europe) don't specify which country. EEC is all they have on them.

I cannot find any country markings on them
Came from Snyder’s

It already is a problem!

I recall the 30x3.5 metal stem EEC brand tubes when i first purchsed them in 2009 along with my white tires from Wallace Wade in TX, were made in Vietnam & the 30x3 Universal brand metal stem tubes back then were made in Mexico..
I dont recall EEC making these tubes in the 30x3 size