Will a tube smaller than the tire be compatible?

Asked by: Maurice Welch

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 tire tubes 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.

Can you use a smaller tube in a tire?

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.

What happens if you use a smaller inner tube?

The inner tube should also match the tire width, but, because inner tubes are elastic, one inner tube may fit a range of tire widths. If the inner tube is too narrow for the tire width, it will become very thin when inflated inside the tire body. This will cause it to be more susceptible to punctures and failures.

Can you use a different size inner tube?

Can I use a smaller or bigger inner tube than the tire? An inner tube that is 10 millimeters or half an inch wider or narrower can be used as long as it matches the rim diameter. A 700×25 inner tube works in a 700X32 tire, but in a 700X45 could experience issues.

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).

Will a 1.75 tube fit a 1.5 tire?

They will be fine.

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.

Is the 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.

What happens if your inner tube is too big?

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. Assuming the tube is the correct size for the tire, as you said it was, there are 2 common causes for this problem.

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 size inner tube do I need for a 26 wheel?

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.

Will a 29 inch tube fit a 700c?

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. You can also get 26 inch MTB tubes.

Will a 25mm tube fit a 23mm tire?

Generally inner tubes will fit a range of tyre sizes, for example 18-28mm. Because both 23mm and 25mm are standard road tyre sizes and close together, you’re unlikely to have an inner tube that won’t fit 23mm.

Will a 25mm tube work in a 23mm tire?

You’ll be fine. Tubes are so flexible with their sizing that generally they can run fine even when used way out of spec

Will 700x25c tube fit 700x23c?

They’ll be fine – I’d certainly use them without question in a 23mm tyre. Most tubes cover a range like 18-25 and 25-38.

Can you put larger tube in tire?

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 do I know what size inner tube I need?

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.

Can a 26 inch inner tube fit 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.

Is the 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.

Will a 27 inch tube fit a 700c tire?

27-inch and 700C tires are close enough in size that the inner tubes are compatible; i.e. you can use a 27-inch inner tube in a 700C tire, and vice-versa. However, you can NOT use a 27-inch tire on a 700C wheel, and vice-versa.

Will a 29 inch tube fit a 700c?

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. You can also get 26 inch MTB tubes.