Continental Race – Air Chamber (28 inches)

If you have aero wheels, you cannot go wrong with the Continental Light 80mm tube. I usually purchase tubes where the stem is threaded, but I have to admit that I'm a convert for the smooth stem presta version. Installing is a breeze and it doesn't chew up my carbon fiber aero wheels.The only thing that will pop these puppies is something that will puncture the tire. I had one tube that had been encased in a tire for 5 years and it was still going strong. Unfortunately, the tire didn't, which is the only reason I replaced the tube.

I support my LBS any way I can, but as others have noted, finding 80mm valves to fit your 404's (or other deep wheels) is not easy or inexpensive. These Conti's are great - the presta valve does not stick (as in some cheaper tubes), they are easy to "pre-inflate" when changing a tire and they last. I'm into endurance cycling and ride about 165 miles a week on all types of roads, including gravel. Your tube's ability to resist punctures depends greatly on the quality of the tires that encases it. I use Conti GP All Season tires....in Arizona. I'd rather make up the extra weight of a bullet proof tire on a quality light tube than spend my time changing one on the side of the road in 100° heat. Biggest risk of a flat with these is going to be a pinch if you are running lower air pressures otherwise, a very dependable tube.

I was out riding on my Zipp Firecrest 404's one day and flatted. Unfortunately me and my buddies only had a normal (50mm valve) spare tubes and I had lost the extender for the valve stem I got with the wheels. Even a quick trip to the local bike shop that day yielded no long stemmed vales so my ride was over. As soon as I got home I got on Amazon, found these and now I will never be caught without a spare again. In spite of what some commenters have said about these being too flimsy, I have been riding this tube for about 2 months on some fairly bumpy roads and bike trails and it seems to be working out just fine.

Good value - would be nice if the threading extended the length of the valve

I was on a bike ride and got a flat.I replaced my tire tube with one of these tubes and it never filled with air due to a hole it already had.So I tried the 2nd. Tube that I bought and had the same problem. Luckily a friend gave me his spare tube which worked just fine.I never kept the boxes or tubes so I never pursued a refund.

These are very durable and light weight tubes that will get a road bike on paved roads to a destination smooth and swiftly. Actually they are the most protective lights I have ever ridden on, and when a rider does suffer a flat, they are very compatible with glue and patch kits. I road on one tube which had suffered three flats with glued on patches for over a thousand miles of riding until a chunk of jagged marble countertop pierced through my gatorskin tire and gashed it big time! These are still the best tubes for road biking.

Went against my better judgment and bought a conti product based on price and availability alone. My history with all conti products is that they are of good (not great) quality. Then tend to be durable out of the box, but long term reliability has always been a problem with the tires and now the tubes. I talc my tubes to prevent pinch flats, but occasionally after changing one on the road, I neglect to go back and do this and therein lies the problem with this product. The lightness and thinness of these tubes makes them overly susceptible to pinch flats if you aren't 100% diligent about unseating, talc-ing, and reseating a perfectly good tube when you get home after you have changed the flat on the road. I prefer to deal with a bit more bulk in material and weight if I can avoid replacing a tube every 250 miles, which seems to be the sweet spot for these. I get that an ounce of prevention by pre-talc-ing these in a ziplock bag is on me, but there isn't always time for that and unbinding the well-rolled tube and re-rolling it rarely results in a factory-level packaging and you get a bird's nest of tube sticking out of your jersey. I have had far better experience with Rubbers tubes - a bit heavier, but very durable and long lasting, even under user neglect (and they come with a patch kit) ; however these are hard to find and getting expensive.

Love these. They are light weight and fold up nicely in a saddle pack. I really like the smooth stem which makes getting the pump off very easy. I have about 4 months on these tubes and no issues. I ride Continental 4000S tires which I think protect them very well. You can get cheaper tubes, but these are worth the bit extra in my opinion, especially if you shop around or get them on sale. I stocked up when I got a deal on them.