The Best Bike Tube

Buying Guide

If you’re experiencing issues with your bike tires, you may be thinking about getting a new bike tube. This is the part of the bike tire that actually holds the air and keeps your tire inflated. It is made of soft, pliable rubber. There is a small air valve on the tube which is where air goes in and out. The inner tube is protected and encased by the actual bike tire, which is made from a firm rubber casing. The bike tire ensures that any small items like glass, nails and debris do not puncture the inner tube. If the inner bike tube does get punctured, then it can be patched or replaced.

The most important element to check when buying a bike tube is the size. You’ll need to know the diameter of your wheel, in addition to the width of your tire, in order to pick the right sized bike tube. Typically your bike tire will have these dimensions on them, often written as diameter times width. If your bike tire says 24 x 1.75, for example, it means that the diameter of your bike tire is 24 inches and the width is 1.75 inches. Knowing this will help you select the right inner tube for your bike.

While you need to know the exact diameter of your bike, you don’t necessarily need to match the width of your bike tire exactly. This is because inner tubes are flexible and often serve a range of sizes when it comes to width. For example, the packaging may note that the inner tube will fit 1.75-2.125-inch tires. This means that you can safely use this inner tube if the width of your tire falls into that range. However, when it comes to diameter, you need to use the exact same measurement as your bike tire.

• Be sure to select the right valve stem for the bike tube. This is the part of the wheel that enables air to go into the bike tube. There are three common types of valve stems: Schrader, Presta and Woods. The most common type of valve stem you’ll find is the Schrader, and this is found on most recreational bikes. The Presta valve stem is more professional in nature and tends to be used on bikes for competitive cyclists. The Woods valve stem is quite rare; it’s usually found on bikes in the Netherlands and some parts of Asia.
• The material of the bike’s inner tube affects its durability. Typically, tubes are made from butyl or latex. Butyl is a common and affordable option, and is available in multiple different sizes. Keep in mind that this material is heavier than latex and can cause rolling resistance. This kind of material is easy to patch and repair. Latex is a lighter option and causes less friction. However, it is also more costly, and can be fragile in some cases. It is more difficult to patch and repair as well.