What Inner Tube?

**discoenduro** · #1 22 May 2008

Can someone recommend an inner tube maker and model for a 17" rear rim (on an XT600E)?

The tubed tyre will be a TKC80 and a Michelin Desert.

I've Google'd 4mm inner tubes, Michelin, Bridgestone, etc but come up with mixed responses on the web.

I have Michelin Airstop tubes for 18" rims, will this be okay?

Cheers for your off-road wise opinions...
Disco

**edteamslr** · #2 22 May 2008

We fitted heavy duty chinese tubes from Weemoto to our TKCs on our Africa Twins (17 rear?) and they worked fine. Next time though, I would only take normal spare tubes (maybe just a front - you can mend inners anywhere in africa!) as the size and weight of the HD ones over standard wasn't worth it.

**DavePortugal** · #3 22 May 2008

Any heavy duty tube from a 'name' manufacturer will be fine but i agree with Ed - take a normal spare tube, not only as they are much more compact but easier to fit and less likely to suffer from pinching.

**JonStobbs** · #4 22 May 2008

I think from memory Kings Tyre (or something like that) does 17" 4mm tubes,although be a bit careful if you're going to use them for prolonged periods on the road at speed as they overheat quickly.I used 4mm tubes when i went to Morocco a couple of years ago,limited speed to 80kph when we had to take main roads,used tracks as much as possible.Even so when i got back the tubes were just about screwed,the rear had nearly rubbed through.
Now i use the heavy duty Michelin tubes (i think they're about 2mm) and they last forever.

**discoenduro** · #5 22 May 2008

Thanks all.

I'll take a rear 2mm HD inner tube in case the 18" 4mm variety breakdown under heat. As I'm going through Sudan, this is a possibility from what you're advising. And I'll keep my KPH's down.

Cheers for the advice,
Disco

**StevenD** · #6 27 May 2008

No.
It's not ok to use an 18'inch tube in your 17'inch rimm. Unless temporary as an emergancy.

Btw.. used the same 4mmHD bridgestone tube for the past 20.000km's, a lot offroad and the rest tarmac, up to 150km/h.
Still looked very good at 15.000.
Best of all: no punctures, just once the valve ripped off, front.