26" tube on your 29" wheel?

[station]

So, I'm not sure we've talked about this before but I've heard of people stretching a 26" tube onto their 29er. Well at today's "weekend wrap up ride" my buddy brought out his new Felt 29er. He got a pinch flat riding from his house to the trail. When he showed up walking I got out the patch kit and tried to fix his tube. The patch lasted about 10 minutes (probably because neither of us have ever patched a tube and not just putting a new one on) So I had a 26" tube with me and we stretched it on and finished the ride (another 2 hours) with no problems. I guess that answers the age old question. If you have to bum a 26" tube, you'll be ok

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[BobBurnes]

Wow...I wonder how long it would last?

[el_d00der1n0]

chipsandsalsa had a flat on his salsa at Daley Ranch. All he had was a 26er tube. It seemed to work to me. Wasn't really very easy to get on though.

[J_Sims]

If you had a friend named Stan you would not have even think about it...

[ChipsandSalsa]

Originally Posted by el_d00der1n0

chipsandsalsa had a flat on his salsa at Daley Ranch. All he had was a 26er tube. It seemed to work to me. Wasn't really very easy to get on though.

I sometimes have a knack for making the simplest mechanical tasks appear more difficult than they really are.

I have heard of riders who always run a 26" tube on a 29" rim, presumably to save a little rotational weight.

I don't think the stress on the tube is much different than running a 26" x 2" wide tube in a 26" x 2.3" tire.

Also, I was riding with a guy who flatted on a 26er, and I gave him a 29" tube that worked fine.

[BobBurnes]

Originally Posted by J_Sims

If you had a friend named Stan you would not have even think about it...

He's got a point.

[dstepper]

For over two years, I only run 26 inch tubes on both my 29 inch bikes. Have been using slime light tubes because I ride Arizona a lot.

Prestrech the tube: Just blow the 26 inch tube, not in a tire, and by the AM you will have a 29 inch tube.

Dean

[HUGH]

How funny... I have never even seen a 29er specific tube. I know they are there but I never get them. I use the Specialized super light tubes and never a problem with my 29er wheels!.

HUGH

[Burner]

I've only run 26er tubes for years in my 29er, I pre-stretch them by pumping them way up before installing them. When you pre-stretch them you'll see that the diameter naturally increases easily (more than 29"), the real stress comes in the width. So don't use narrow tubes, min 2.25", and you'll be fine.

I just got stans'd sealed up tubeless, haven't ridden them yet though.

[KonaDupee]

I've had a 26" slime tube on my front 29" wheel for several months with nary a problem.

An unnamed tech @ an unnamed LBS convinced me that the whole 29" specific tube may just be a marketing ploy.