Which MTB Inner Tubes

Asked by: Hope Morring

How do I know what inner tube to buy for my bike?

Quote from video: If you check along the sidewall of your tire it'll tell you your size. So for example this my road bike tire is 700 by 32 that first number is the diameter of the tire.

What size tube do I need for my mountain bike?

MTB tubes must be the correct width as well – also measured in inches. This is to allow the tube to expand to the correct size for your tires, and can range from as narrow as an inch right up to a tire width of 2.5″ or greater. If you had a 26 x 2.3″ tire, you would need a 26″ tube that can expand to a width of 2.3″.

Are all bike inner tubes the same?

Your inner tube needs to fit the wheel’s diameter and also the width of the tyre fitted, so there are two significant measurements to get right. Let’s start with diameter – make sure you’ve got the right size inner tube for your wheel’s diameter or you’ll find it difficult to fit.

Does the type of inner tube matter?

Choosing the best inner tubes is a surprisingly cheap way to improve some aspect of your bike’s performance, be it speed or reliability. If all that matters to you is going fast, the best inner tubes — and the choice of fast riders for many decades —are made from natural latex rubber, but read on: they have downsides.

Do bike tubes have to be exact?

No, tubes and tires don’t need to match exactly. Tubes are made from butyl rubber which can stretch. Bike inner tubes will accommodate a limited range of sizes. Larger tubes may be more susceptible to getting pinched between the tire and rim.

Do bike tubes need 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.

Can I use 26 tube in a 27.5 tire?

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.

How do I choose a tube size?

Pediatric tubes are sized using the equation: size = ((age/4) +4) for uncuffed ETTs, with cuffed tubes being one-half size smaller.

Will a 27.5 tube fit a 29 wheel?

Mountain bike tyre sizes are usually stated in inches. So a 29 inch MTB tube will have the same diameter as a 700c road wheel, while a 27.5 inch tube will be the same diameter as a 650b road wheel.

What happens if you use the wrong size inner tube?

With a diameter that is too big (e.g. a 29” tube for a 27.5” wheel), the tube will be too loose on the wheel rim and you may end up with bunching in the tube rubber. This can lead to punctures. If the diameter is too small (e.g. 24” for a 27.5” wheel) it is unlikely that the tube will stretch around the wheel rim.

What are the two types of inner tubes for bikes?

Most Common Types of Inner Tubes: Schrader and Presta. There are two common types of valve stems on bicycles, the Schrader (“American” type) and the Presta (“French” type). The Schrader or American-type valve is common on cars and motorcycles. It is also found on many bicycles.

How often should you replace bike inner tube?

So, how often should you replace inner tubes? Consider replacing inner tubes every time you replace the tires or when the inner tubes can no longer hold air. Regardless, it’s a good idea to do it after 2-4 years of hard riding.

Should I patch bike 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. Happy riding!

Why do bike tubes get tighter when filling?

When air is pumped into a bicycle tube, the tube gets inflated due to the air pressure exerted by the collisions of gas molecules in air with the inner walls of the rubber tube. This air pressure makes the tyres feel hard.

What does 700 mean on bike tube?

Are Inner Tubes Really THAT Bad For Mountain Biking?

Is a bike inner tube the same size as the tire?

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.

How do I know my top tube size?

Quote from video: With. Now if you've got a frame of a horizontal top tube and the seat tube measurement is simply taken from the center of the bottom bracket.

Is 26 inch tube the same as 700c?

What Is The Difference Between a 26 Inch and a 700c Wheel? This brings us around back to the same answer; they are the same diameter, but a 26-inch tire will fit onto a 700c rim but not the other way around because of the difference in rim thickness.

How do I choose a tube size?

Pediatric tubes are sized using the equation: size = ((age/4) +4) for uncuffed ETTs, with cuffed tubes being one-half size smaller.

Is a bike tube supposed to be bigger than the wheel?

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.

What is standard bike tube size?

While you can find a variety of bikes with wheel sizes ranging from 16 to 27.5 inches, the most common sizes include 26 inches, 27.5 inches, 29 inches and 700c. Tubes can range anywhere from 1 to 3 inches or 19 to 45 millimeters, depending on the type of wheels you have.