Vintage Veloce
pro rider
Given the relative high cost of tires, I always replace the tubes and rim strips when changing.
I've encountered too many used older bikes with positively ancient tubes in their tires.
Of course, tubes and tires can and do last a while, and the ancient tubes in some of these bikes are evidence of that. But personally, it's just not much additional expanse to put the new tubes and rim strips in.
On HD tubes:
I wouldn't put HD tubes in a street bike used on mild roads. Especially if you maintain close to stock tire pressures. They aren't going to help with a puncture by a nail or a screw. They are more helpful preventing "pinch flats" when an underinflated tire is smashed into the rim by a sharp bump.
I do put HD tubes on my enduro bike, where I never run more than 14PSI.
On sealing the RIM instead of tubes:
I really don't get this. For off road use, being able to easily swap the tube is a great positive feature! Especially with the possibility of pinch flats that are harder to patch.
For street use, where your only real concern is punctures, it makes more sense if you just want to use plugs in the tire. But most manufacturers don't recommend that. That said, if I got lots of punctures on the street, I might consider it.
I've encountered too many used older bikes with positively ancient tubes in their tires.
Of course, tubes and tires can and do last a while, and the ancient tubes in some of these bikes are evidence of that. But personally, it's just not much additional expanse to put the new tubes and rim strips in.
On HD tubes:
I wouldn't put HD tubes in a street bike used on mild roads. Especially if you maintain close to stock tire pressures. They aren't going to help with a puncture by a nail or a screw. They are more helpful preventing "pinch flats" when an underinflated tire is smashed into the rim by a sharp bump.
I do put HD tubes on my enduro bike, where I never run more than 14PSI.
On sealing the RIM instead of tubes:
I really don't get this. For off road use, being able to easily swap the tube is a great positive feature! Especially with the possibility of pinch flats that are harder to patch.
For street use, where your only real concern is punctures, it makes more sense if you just want to use plugs in the tire. But most manufacturers don't recommend that. That said, if I got lots of punctures on the street, I might consider it.