How to Choose Inner Tube for Bike | Buyers Guide 2022
If you hate when your bike tires go flat and want to get the most suitable tubes in the market, then you have come to the right place because, in this article, we have talked about everything on how to choose inner tube for bike.
After months of extensive research, we have prepared this guide so that you find it easier and fuss-free to choose an inner tube without anyone’s help.
So without further ado, let’s start.
How to Choose Inner Tube for Bike: Everything You Should Know
What Is a Bike Tube?
A bicycle tube or an inner tube is a balloon-like structure that sits inside your bike’s tire to make the tires roll smoothly on the roads.
Usually made from butyl rubber or latex rubber, an inner tube can be inflated and deflated effortlessly according to your demand so that you can enjoy a comfortable and safe riding session.
Generally, road and mountain bike tubes work similarly. They work to form a seal in your cycle tire to avoid bumps and punctures.
However, remember that tubeless tires don’t come with inner tubes, so don’t expect to find one in these types of tires.
Check on wikipedia link if you don't know about tubeless tires.
What To Consider When Buying A Bike Tube?
If you want to enjoy a bicycle tube's numerous benefits, you must buy an excellent one with all the right features.
But then again, you just cannot go to the market or visit an online shop to purchase one for you- there are quite a few critical factors that you must know first to get the best inner tube suitable for your cycle.
Let’s discuss these features to score the best in the market.
Material
To provide you with choice, inner tubes are made from different materials. Below we have talked about different tube construction materials to have a clear and precise idea about them.
Butyl Rubber
Butyl rubber is the most common material used in inner tubes. The reason manufacturers and users favor them as it is cheaper and provides more strength and durability than the others.
One more advantage of this rubber tube is that it is extremely easy and effortless to repair. You can use a standard puncture repair kit to repair this tube and you are ready to hit the road.
However, the inner tubes made from butyl rubber are quite heavy and it also creates more rolling resistance when interacted with the tires.
Latex
Another material that is used to construct the inner tube is latex. Latex is super lightweight and fast but at the same time, it is also extremely thin and fragile and might tear up every easily- you need to be extra careful when using latex tubes.
But then again, because of its lightness, the latex tube doesn’t add too much weight to the bike and, therefore, doesn’t affect its maneuverability.
Tube Dimensions
Tube comes in different sizes to fit different types of bikes and tires perfectly. Let’s talk about different sizing for better understanding.
Wheel Size & Diameter
One thing you must keep in mind before choosing an inner tube is that they are usually made for specific wheel sizes- a tube made for 700 x 28c wheels will never fit 27.5 x 2.4 wheels and vice versa.
Also, as bike types vary, so do their tube sizes, and therefore, you need to know your bike type and wheel size very precisely before making a purchase.
Width
Another essential aspect you should check before buying an inner tube is the width. As there are both wide and narrow bicycle tires, getting the right tube width is crucial.
Otherwise, it won’t fit perfectly and won’t provide you the riding you have been looking for.
Wall Thickness
Even though most tubes come with 1mm thick walls, it’s still the best idea to check it before handing over your money. This is because thinner tubes are more likely to get punctured quickly and easily than the thicker ones and you wouldn’t want that.
When you choose an inner tube less than 1mm thickness, you must be aware of the fact that you have to spend a lot on the maintenance work than otherwise.
Valve Dimensions
Like all other things you should consider, the valve dimensions also vary with the valve type of your bike. Generally, valves are mostly 6mm or 8mm in diameter, and you should get the one that fits your bike valves perfectly.
Valve Types
There are three different types of valves available in the market right now with three different sizes. We should talk about them in detail to understand them better.
Schrader
The Schrader valve, most commonly known as the “American” valve, is mostly found in entry-level bikes including MTB, kids and hybrid bikes that use relatively lower tire pressure.
One benefit of this valve is that it is super easy to inflate or deflate. To do that, you just need to remove the valve cap, press the pump nozzle against the valve, wait until the central pin depresses and open the valve, and voila, you can pump in or out the necessary amount of air.
Presta
Like the Schrader valve, the Presta valve is usually known as a “French” valve and is commonly found in expensive MTBs and road bicycles.
Even though this valve is smaller than the Schrader valve, it generally features a threaded exterior to keep the valve tight to the wheel rim. This threaded exterior also prevents the valve from twisting and getting damaged.
Woods/Dunlop
Even though it’s not used or as popular as the other valves, we just cannot ignore the wooden or Dunlop valves. This valve combines both the Schrader and the Presta valve and possesses interesting characters from both of them.
When you inflate a tube with the Dunlop valve, you don’t need to unscrew the nut and inflate air. And because of this advantage, there are fewer chances to lose any parts while inflating or deflating the tires.
Puncture Proofing
One thing you must never forget when selecting an inner tube is to check if it’s puncture-proof or not.
And how to determine whether the tube is puncture-proof?
Well, generally, inner tubes of bicycles come with air-filled in them. The air inflates the tube and helps it to run smoothly. However, there are high chances that these tubes will suffer from puncture easily and go flat, disturbing your ride.
But then again, some tubes come with sealant inside them. These tubes are exactly like normal bicycle tubes but are heavier and more expensive. The greatest benefit of these tubes is that they practice self-seal when they get any punctures.
Rolling Resistance
Rolling resistance or rolling friction is a type of force that resists the friction when your tire rolls on a surface. As it is related to the tire, it is also related to the inner tube.
The rolling resistance determines how well and smoothly you can roll the cycle on the road surface.
If the inner tube is thick, it will experience higher rolling resistance and the opposite will happen for thinner tubes.
Moreover, the inner tube's flexibility also matters; the more flexible and thin the tube is, the better it rolls on the road.
Weight
Similar to other bicycle components, the weight of the inner tube also matters. While a heavyweight inner tube will increase the bicycles overall weight, a lightweight one will do the opposite.
It is always advisable to pick a lightweight inner tube because the heavyweight one will make it difficult to roll the bicycle comfortably.
Tubeless Tires
If all these feel hard to remember and maintain, you can always go for the tubeless tires. Even though the concept of tubeless tires is relatively new, it took the biking world by storm because you don’t have to worry about changing the flat tires always.
The tubeless tires are usually filled with sealant and therefore, don’t suffer from punctures like inner tubes.
Special Features to Consider When Looking at Bike Tubes
In addition to the "must-have" features, there are some other features and factors that you should keep in mind when shopping for inner tube. These factors are:
Tubes That Seal Themselves
One of the newest additions in the tube industry is the self-sealing tubes; these tubes are partially filled with sealant, which is distributed evenly around the tube. So that when you roll over a rough surface and your tires suffer from punctures, it can resist the leak and help you ride smoothly.
Extra Tough Tubes
While searching for other features, don’t forget to look at the wall thickness and the tire sidewall reinforcement. The extra-tough tubes determine these features and shouldn’t be overlooked.
No More Tubes
If you find a bike tire with tubes troublesome, then you can always opt for solid rubber tires. Even though these tires are a bit expensive than any standard bike tube, they spare you from worrying about changing a flat tire and ride freely.
How Do You Know What Size Bicycle Tube Do I Need?
As there are different tires for different bikes, it is quite a chore to determine which tube would fit your tire perfectly. Let’s find out how to know what size tube you would actually need.
Inspect Your Tire Sidewalls
Usually, the sizing of the tire and inner tube is mentioned on the tire sidewalls. So, it’s a better option to check the tire sidewalls first to find out which tube size you should buy for the perfect fitting.
Check Your Bike’s Specifications
If the sizing is not mentioned on the tire sidewalls, you should never hesitate to check the bike’s manual and see its specifications before making your purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Bicycle Inner Tubes Have an Expiration Date?
Even though your bicycle tube's life span largely depends on its construction quality, in general, you wouldn’t have to change it unless you suffer from a flat tire.
What about Latex Inner Tubes? What Are the Advantages of Latex Inner Tubes?
You should know about latex inner tubes because they are stretchable and more pliable, which means that they are more puncture-resistant and, therefore, more durable.
However, these tubes also have some disadvantages. The latex tubes need to be inflated daily, which means that you have to put extra effort and extra time.
Why Do Bicycle Tires Go Flat When Not in Use?
Even when you are not riding, the tires may go flat because the gap between the tire's elastic fibers loses air constantly.
This means that even when you inflate the tire fully and keep it in the garage for a day or two, it won’t have the same amount of air as before.
How Do I Store Bicycle Tubes?
It’s a great idea to store your bicycle tube securely when you are not using it. And to do so perfectly, you must keep the cap on the valve and then keep the tube in the box it came with for safe storing.
You can also store it in a zip-lock bag with a talcum powder sprinkle to keep it safe and secure.
Wrapping Up
When choosing the best inner tube, the decision ultimately depends on the performance, cost, and durability. Therefore, you must be very cautious while making your choice because your riding comfort largely depends on this.
But then again, with this guide in hand, it won’t be hard to find the most suitable tube for your bike.
