How to find correct size inner tube

Asked by: Jeff Meyer

The best way to check what size inner tube you need is to look on the sidewall of your tyre. Tyre manufacturers print the size on the sidewalls, so look out for numbers such as ‘700x23c’ for a road bike, or ’26×1. 75′ which is for mountain bikes.

Does inner tube have to be exact size?

While your diameter measurement needs to be exact, your width measurement does not. Because inner tubes stretch, they typically come in a range of widths. For example, one of our most popular tubes is the 26 x 1.75-2.125” which means it fits a 26-inch diameter tire with a width in the range of 1.75 to 2.125 inches.

Should my inner tube be the same size as tires?

The tube should match the tire size diameter closely. However, tires that are close in bead diameter may use the same inner tube. For example, an inner tube for an ISO 630 tire (27-inch) will also fit an ISO 622 (700c) tire.

Can I use a slightly larger inner tube?

Your tire is a bit smaller than the small end of the range for the tube. You may find it a little harder to fit in the extra material and it would be good to take a bit of extra care to make sure you don’t pinch the tube if you use tire levers. Be careful to avoid any twists, but it should work.

Should inner tubes be bigger than wheels?

A tube should not have excess length, and doubling on itself will cause the tire to feel uneven while riding, as well as increase the likelihood of flats.

Can you put 25 tubes in a 28 tire?

Re: 20-25 tubes in 28mm tires??



It’s basically a no-no because as you pump up tyre the inner tube will stretch to fill the void of the wider tyre making it more likely to fail (or so the explanation went).

Why do modern tires not use inner tubes?

The industrial-grade pneumatic tires are sturdy and hefty, with excellent off-road performance. Inner tubes are no longer used in modern car tires, and haven’t been since the development of synthetic rubber compounds.

How does inner tube sizing work?

The size is almost always written somewhere on the sidewall of the tyre. Inner tubes typically state a wheel diameter and width range for which they will work, e.g. 26 x 1.95-2.125″, indicating that the tube is intended to fit a 26 inch tyre with a width of between 1.95 inches and 2.125 inches.

Should I patch inner tube or replace?

Overall, patching is cheaper and better for the environment than replacing your tube, so I recommend it for most situations. However, there are some flats that cannot be patched. If the hole is near the valve stem or if it is a linear tear and not a hole, you will need to swap tubes.

What happens if bike inner tube too small?

Going with a smaller tube could save ~20grams of weight per tube. While the weight savings are nice, one drawback is the loss of tire pressure. Smaller tubes become stretched and don’t hold air quite as well. Some rides will say a smaller tube that is stretched will be more prone to punctures.

What happens if you use a smaller inner tube?

All inner tubes will come with a recommended range for tyre width – for example 700 × 20–25 for traditional road tyres, 700 × 25–32 for wider road tyres. A narrower inner tube will balloon out to fill a tyre a few millimetres wider than its recommended width – but don’t take it too far or it might explode.

Can I use a 26 inner tube on a 27.5 wheel?

Yes, you can, but it takes a little effort to get the tire on the rim without pinching the tube.

Is it OK to put a tube in a tubeless tire?

Risk of puncture – The tyres that are specifically designed for tubes consist of a smooth inner surface, while it’s not the case with tubeless tyres. If a tube is placed inside a tubeless tyre, consequently, the tube can rub abrasively due to the roughness of the tyre and cause a puncture.

Will 700x25c fit 700x23c?

They’ll be fine – I’d certainly use them without question in a 23mm tyre.

What is the difference between 25 and 28 tires?

What Size Bike Inner Tube Do I Need? || REI

What happens if my inner tube is too small?

To sum up: If the tube diameter is too small, then it may not fit on your wheel rim. If the tube width is too small then you may have to over-inflate the tube to fill the bike tire and this will weaken the tube rubber, with the possibility of punctures.

Will a 26 inch tube fit a 27 inch tire?

In real world applications, a 26″ tube will work perfectly fine in a 27.5″ tire.

Will a 1.75 tube fit a 1.5 tire?

They will be fine.

How does inner tube sizing work?

The size is almost always written somewhere on the sidewall of the tyre. Inner tubes typically state a wheel diameter and width range for which they will work, e.g. 26 x 1.95-2.125″, indicating that the tube is intended to fit a 26 inch tyre with a width of between 1.95 inches and 2.125 inches.