Inner tube size and can you feel the slime in inner tubes?

Asked by: Ken Hodges

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.

How does Slime work in an inner tube?

Use Slime inner tubes



They all contain Slime’s liquid sealant, which spreads out as you ride and coats the inside of the tube. If you run over a thorn or other sharp object and get a cut, the air pressure in the tube will force the sealant into the hole to seal the leak.

How do I know if my inner tube is leaking?

The tube: Tube damage can be difficult to spot. If you don’t see any obvious punctures or blowouts, inflate the tube to check for escaping air. To find very small leaks, bring the tube close to your face to feel for air or listen for a hiss, or submerge it in water and look for bubbles.

How do I know what size inner tube to get?

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.

What happens if your inner tube is too big?

Another common problem with tubes that are wider than the tire is they can get stuck in between the tire bead and the rim. This can cause a pinch flat on the tube but can also blow the tire off of the rim.

What happens if you use a smaller inner tube?

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. Likewise, a tube rated a bit wider than your tyre will usually fit, although it can be awkward to fit one that’s a lot wider than the tyre.

How long does Slime last in a tube?

2 years

Slime is a liquid that may dry out over long periods of time. For maximum puncture protection and optimal performance, we recommended that tubes be replaced after 2 years. If the tube is still in good condition after 2 years, it is OK to add more Slime Tube Sealant to the tube.

Do slime inner tubes slow you down?

Re: Slime in tubes- slowing me down? rolling resistance. Yes, this will slow down your acceleration, make braking less effective, hill climbing more difficult, etc. It will not affect your top speed, just make it take longer to go there.

Will Slime seal a inner tube?

The rubber particles are too large to effectively treat small punctures in a thin-ply tube. But Slime does offer a NEW 2-in-1 Tire & Tube sealant (black label) that will work in a tubeless tire, or a tire with a tube. Same great Slime two year protection, with more flexibility!

How do you find a slow puncture in an inner tube?

Step 1: Remove the Wheel and Inner Tube



You can then locate the puncture. If it’s not easy to see, immerse the inflated tube in water and watch for bubbles to rise – it’s likely you’ll just have a tiny pinhole puncture. Once you’ve found the hole, mark it with a big cross using a ballpoint pen.

How do I find a slow leak in my bike inner tube?

If all your searching still doesn’t turn up the leak, don’t panic! Just fill a sink with water, pump some air into the tube, and then submerge parts of the tube until you see bubbles. Boom, there’s your leak!

How do I know if my bike inner tube is bad?

Quote from video: I do it by sliding my hand over the tube until I actually feel air on my hand in this case we can see a little pinhole. Right there. So once I found it I like to put my finger on it.

Can you put 2.4 tubes in a 2.5 tire?

Yes it will work fine. Tire tubes expand quite a bit beyond the listed sizes when aired up. You should have no problems with the combination you have mentioned. It will also be just a tad lighter by using the smaller tube..

Can you over inflate an inner tube?

Do not over-inflate the tube. If the inner tube becomes creased or buckled during inflation, remove excess air (using a tire valve tool) until tube is round and not distorted. A properly inflated tube has no more than two pounds of air pressure.

How many inches is 700 C?

Can I use a bigger tube in a smaller tire?

Yes, it’s perfectly safe to use the next larger size tube in a smaller tire. It’s a common trick used by bike messengers to reduce the chance of flats. The only downside is a slightly heavier wheel since you’re using more tube that you really need.

Can you use 28 inch tubes for 25 tires?

A tube designed for a 28mm tire can be successfully used on a 25mm tire, but it’s not guaranteed to offer the best performance due to the extra real estate that the tube needs.

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 I use a 26 inner tube on a 27.5 wheel?

Will it fit with my 27.5 tire and rim? In real world applications, a 26″ tube will work perfectly fine in a 27.5″ tire.

Can you use wrong size inner tube in bike?

Yes, you can, as long as you don’t go more than one size smaller, or the differential is not too extreme. A 1.25 in a 1.5 is fine. A 1.25 in a 2.25 is likely to have issues with flats.

Will a 29 inch tube fit a 27.5 inch wheel?

Both can be made to fit. Lots of pro xc racers carry a 27.5 tube for their 29ers.