How to tell what size tube for bike tire

Size

1. Wheel diameter - The diameter of the wheel will depend very much on the type of bicycle that you are using. They can vary from 12” all the way up to 29”.
2. Tyre Width - Just like the diameter, the width of the tyre can also vary depending on the type of bicycle. They can go from a skinny 19mm on a road bike, to a huge 4inch on some mountain bikes.

Checking the Inner Tube Size You 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 ‘26x1.75’ which is for mountain bikes.

Inner Tube Valve Type

• Schraeder valves – most people refer to these as ‘the same as on my car’. They are the chunkier looking valve, and are usually found on entry-level mountain bikes.
• Presta valves – a much thinner valve, with a core that needs to be unscrewed before you can inlate the tube. This type of valve is fitted to all of our Ribble road bikes, and can be found on all good quality wheels. The valve lengths do vary in length, so if you are running deep section wheels, a longer one will be required

Latex Inner Tubes

It is more than likely that the inner tubes you will have used are made of a butyl rubber. If you are looking for marginal gains a change to latex inner tubes can reduce the weight in your wheels where it really matters. It can also smooth out the ride.

There are however two downsides to latex inner tubes. The first is that they lose air much quicker, and so will need to be pumped up more often. Not during a ride, but at least before every ride. The other downside is that they are a little trickier to fit, and can be caught in between the tyre and wheel causing them to blow as soon as you pump them up.

View All Inner Tubes

Posted by

Andy Mc

Andy is the Product Specialist and Content Writer at Ribble. He takes part in all disciplines of cycling, but can mostly be found either on his road bike or on the mountain bike trails.

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How to Pick the Right Bicycle Tube Size

Let’s be honest – tubes are a bit weird. Wiggly black bands of rubber, tubes are tedious to install, constantly need to be re-inflated and can be defeated by the tiniest thorns. When it comes time to purchase a new tube, how do you know which one to select?

Between the dozens of size options and the various valve stem types (Presta, what is that?), selecting the correct tube for your bike can be challenging. Check out our video below, or scroll down for a quick photo guide to help you select the perfect tire tube for your bicycle:

 

Step 1: Picking the Right Tube Size

There are two important dimensions you must know when selecting a tube: The diameter of your wheel and the width of your tire. You need both to select the correct tube size. These dimensions can be found on your tire: Diameter x Width.

The first number is the diameter of your wheel. Sizes such as 26, 24, 20, 27.5, 29 and 700c are common tire diameters. The second number (after the X) is the width of your tire. The range for widths is usually between 1 and 3 inches. For example, a 26 x 1.75 size means the tire diameter is 26 inches and the tire width is 1.75 inches.

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.

Some tires have dimensions in millimeters, but the basic measurement structure is still the same: Diameter x Width. Instead of inches, you will instead see something like 700c x 18 mm. The letter at the end of the tire diameter is a carryover from an old French system that used letters a, b and c to designate inner wheel rim diameters.

Step 2: Picking the Right Valve Stem

After you know your tube size, you need to select your valve stem type. The valve stem is the metal part of the bicycle wheel that sticks out and allows air to go into (and stay in) your tire. There are three types of valve stems: Schrader, Presta and Woods/Dunlop. The Woods (or Dunlop) valve stem is extremely rare and typically only found in the Netherlands or Asia, so we won’t spend any time on it here.

Schrader valves, on the other hand, are the most common valve stems found on bicycles. The most recognizable of the bunch, sometimes they are referred to as standard valves. An easy way to remember if you have a Schrader valve is to think of the “S.” Schrader valves are short, sturdy and standard. If you don’t know what valve stem you have, it is likely a Schrader.

The last valve stem type is Presta. Presta valves are traditionally found on higher-end bicycles preferred by professional cyclists. Think of the “P” in Presta standing for professional, performance and premium. If you have a Presta valve, you usually know it.

Step 3: Durability -- Self-Sealing or Basic Tubes?

The last consideration you need to keep in mind when selecting a tube is durability. There is no reason for you to suffer from flat tires - Riding flat free can be a reality. Self-sealing tubes are heavy duty and designed to stop flats for up to two years! To gain that type of protection, you need to purchase tubes that come pre-installed with Slime tire sealant.

Alternatively, if you already have empty tubes, but want the protection that self-sealing tubes provide, you can insert the tube sealant yourself. Learn more about tube protecting sealant here.

Congratulations, you are now a tube expert! When purchasing tubes, if you consider tire size, valve stem type and durability needs, then you will never select the wrong tube again. Go forth and start riding!

How to choose a bike tube. Size Ratio Chart

Every cyclist needs to be sure that the transport during trips around the city or rough terrain will definitely not let you down. And the most important thing in the wheels is the right bike tube. To do this, sometimes there is not enough simple knowledge about how to choose and buy tubes for a bike, and what size they should be.

The most important things to look for before buying a bike tube are:

• size;
• width;
• nipple type.

Before the advent of the mountain bike market, tubes, motorcycle tubes and car tubes were viewed in the same way. Later it became clear that the characteristics and dimensions of bicycle tubes are something special, and the approach to production has completely changed.

What size bike tube to choose

When it comes to buying the right tube for a bike, it's important to consider size differences. Tires always show the dimensions and allowable pressure for suitable tori. Marking types may vary. nine0003

1. Specify exact size. For example, 28x1.5 means the tube fits a 28" wheel that is 1.5" wide.
2. Single rim diameter and multiple widths. The entry 26x1.75/1.95/2.125 means this torus will fit all 26 wheels with a width of 1.75 to 2.125 inches.
3. Specifies several possible wheel sizes and widths. It looks like this 28/47-622/635. Indicates that the product will fit a tire from 28 to 47 mm on a rim from 622 to 635 inches. nine0008

Choosing the right inner tube for your bike will greatly improve your ride and reduce the chance of damage.

Read the label and stay safe. A smaller tube will fit a larger wheel, but not vice versa. You should always remember that the dimensions of the cycle chamber indicated on its surface and on the tire must match.

The required parameters are indicated in the ISO system in mm or inches. In order not to get confused in the sizes and markings that different manufacturers apply in different systems, use the conversion table from one system to another. nine0003

Size ratio table for different marking systems

x all options 9004 2020 28 x 3/4 28 x 3/4 28 x 3/4 28 x 3/4 28 x 3/4 28 x 3/4 28 x 3/420 700x38s 700-40c 9 bicycles: "Ukraine", "Minsk", "Sura", "Velta", "Aist" (111-321, 111-322). 900x 44-622 9005 26 X 1. 25 26 X 1.26 X 1.26 X 1.26 X 1.26 X 1.26 X 1.26 X 1.26 X 1.26 X 1.26 X 1.26 X 1.26 X 1.26 X 1.26 X 1.26 x 1.26 X 1.26 X 1.26 X 1.26 X 1.26 X 1.26 X 1.26 X 1.26 X 1.26 X 1.26 X 1.26 X 1.AR × 1. English children's and American firm Schwinn 9005 28-540 9003 European bicycles, most wheelchairs 9005 9005 9 9005 335 x 3/3/3/3/3/3/3/3/3/3/3/3/3/3/3/3L bicycles 9005 x 1.5

Rim bore size in mm according to ISO	Tire size in inches	French size	Size in mm in ISO (width-landing diameter)	Explanations
681		22-681	Sports cycle B-64 ″ Record (1958g)
642		700A		Size
635	28 x 1/2	700B	40-635	Road models of American, Danish, Chinese, Indian-Indian production	29 2 x 7/8		22-630	Shrose bicycles, including old models
27 x 1		25-630
27 x 1/8	9005 28-630 9. 0056
27 x 1/4		32-630
27 x 1 3/8		37-630
700С		This size was invented by marketers for tires with a bore diameter of 622 mm. They differ from 28 only in tire height.
28 x decimal	700C		For 622 mm tires. nine0056
28 x 3/4	700-18C 700x18s	18-622
700-19S 700x19s	19-622
20-622
x 1 1/8 28 x 1 5/8 x 1 1/8	700-28C 700x28C	28-622
28 x 1.20	700-30x30s 700x30s	30-622
28 x 1 3/4 28 x 1.5
28 x 1 1/2 28 x 1 5/8 x 1 3/8	700C 700x35C 700x38C	37-622		"," Aist.
27 x 1 1/4 28 x 1 5/8 x 1 1/4	700-32С 700х32С	32-622	Road and sports-touring bicycles, "Tourist", "Sport", "Sputnik"
28 x 1 5/8 x 1 1/4			Outdated Canadian designation F13
28 x 1.4	700-35C 700x35s	37-622	Roads Roads. x 1.5	700x38C 700-38C 700-40C 700x40C	40-622
28 x 1 3/8 x 1 5/8		37-622
	700-42s 700x42s	42-622
28
-47C 700x47C	47-622
28 x 2.00	700-50C 700x50C	50-622
600				22 (23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 30) -600	Old Soviet sports and track bicycles
599		32-599		Very old American light bikes.
	26 x 1 7/8		47-599	ZIF (Penza) 190-535 "Samson"
597	26 x 1/4 (EA1) (England)	9	9	9		32-597	Old English sport and club bikes.
	26 x 1 3/8 (S-6)		37-597	Light bicycles from the American company Schwinn.
590	26 x 1 1/8		28-590	Soviet bicycles ZiF (Penza), Diana, Prima, Virazh, Relay, Sura, Breeze ”, “Tempo”. American and English 3 and 10 speed.
	26 x 1 1/4
	26 x 1 1/2	650B	37-584
	27. 5 х 1.5		40-584
	27.5 х 1.65		44-584
27.5 x 2.1	54-584
27.5 x 2.25	57-584
27.5 х 2.3	60-584
27.5 x 2.4	62-584
27.5 х 2.8	70 -584
571	26 x 3/4	650x20C	20-571	Triathlon, time trial, small road bikes.
	26 x 7/8	650x23s	23-571
	26 x 1	650c	23-571
	26	Road Schwinn
559	26 x 1.0		25-559	Most mountain bikes. Classic landing diameter for 26 wheels. nine0056
	26 х 1.25		32-559
	26 х 1.35		35-559
	26 х 1. 4		37-559
	26 х 1.5		40 -559
	26 х 1.6		44-559
	26 х 1.75 26 х 1.75 х 2		47-559
	26 х 1.9		50-559
	26 x 2.00		52-559
	26 x 2.10		54-559
	26 x 2.15		55-559
	26 х 2.25		57-559
	26 х 2.3		60-559
	26 x 2.4		62-559
	26 x 3.0		75-559
547
	24 × 1 3/8 (S-5)			Children's American bicycles of Schwinn
540	24 x 1/8	600a
	24 x 1 1/4		32-540
	24 x 1 3/8(E-5) 24 x 1 3/8 A 9005 6
533	24 x 1 1/2		37-533	"Salute", "Altair", "Ervi", "Eaglet", "Erelyukas", "Swallow" ("Kregzdute", "Kregzhdute" - Siauliai Bicycle Plant Lithuania). This is the Soviet standard and tires with a diameter of 533 mm are produced only with a width of 37 mm. Be careful when replacing because not all 24 inch tires will fit 533 wheels.
520	24 x 1		25-520	Road wheels for kids bikes
507 5 9 560056		40-507	Mountain children. “Salut”, “Altair”, “Ervi”
	24 x 1.75			47-507
	24 x 2.0			50-507
		9005-95-50
	24 х 2.25			57-507
	24 х 2.35			60-507
	24 х 2.5			62-507
	24 х 2.6
	20 x 1/4			30-451
	20 x 1 3/8			37-451
445	20 X 1/4	9005 9005	9005	9005	9005	9005	9005	9005	9005	9005	9005																	9005	9005			9005 9AT 445	“Schoolboy” (old Soviet models)
440		500A		European folding children's bicycles
419	20 x 1 3/4							0056
406	20 x 1. 25		32-406	Most BMX bikes, kids and folding models. "Venta" (folding model 175-811). "Stork" (folding, model 113-322). "Tisa-2", "Cross", "KAMA", "DESNA", "Schoolboy", "Velta Kama", "Dubisa" (Siauliai bicycle factory), "Eureka" and other folding and old Soviet models. Folding Mustang
	20 x 1.35		35-406
	20 x 1 3/4 20 x 1.5		40-406
	20 x 1.75 20 x 1.75 x 2		47-406
	20 x 1.95		50-406
	20 х 2.125		57-406
	20 х 2.35		60-406
	20 х 2.5		62-406
	20 х 2.6		65 -406
	16 x 1 1/8		28-349		Old Moulton, Brompton and other folding bikes, ligerade front wheels, kids bikes.
	16 x 1 3/8		37-349
	340		4005			Children's European bicycles
317	16 x 1 3/4			Schwinn American children's bicycles
305	16 x 1. 5		40-305	Children's bicycles, some folding, touring and bicycles.
	16 х 1.75		47-305
	16 х 2.0		54-305
	16 х 2.125		57-305
	16 х 2.5		62 -305
288	14 x 1 3/8	350A	37-288	Children's bicycles, jackets
254	40-254	Children 14 x 1.75		47-254
	14 x 2			54-254
	239		12 1/2 x 1 3/8 x 1/4	300-32A 300x32a	32-239	Children's bikes, balance bikes
205	12 1/2 x 2 1/4		56-205	KVD children's bicycles, sometimes suitable for baby strollers (Dutiki tires)
20059																			9ATH 12 x 1. 75 12 1/2 x 1.75 12 1/2 x 1.9		47-203	Small children's bicycles, runaways, baby strollers
	12 x 1.95	9005 54-203
	2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 /2 x 2 1/4 R		57-203
	12 1/2 x 2 1/4		62-203
152	10 x 2		54-152	tires for self-scatters, tunkers for young children, taces and television taps and television taps and television tires and television tires and television tires and television tires and carts , Children's strollers
137	8 x 1/4		32-137

How to choose a bicycle camera according to the main characteristics of

Many specialized stores offer a huge range of parts and components for bais. The Velo-Moto online store in its catalog opens the world of cycling for professionals and amateurs. nine0003

Once you've decided where to buy your inner tube, it's important to focus on the other selection criteria after width and size:

• nipple;
• fortress.

These are important indicators that together ensure your safety, speak of a reasonable approach.

Nipple

This is a piece that consists of a tube and is equipped with a special check valve for air inflation.

There are rubber ones - not very reliable, not expensive, there is a high probability of separation and damage. There are metal ones - reliability and price are higher. nine0003

According to the type of valve, the nipples are divided into 3 groups.

1. Dunlop (Dunlop) was used on bicycles of the USSR. Meets now. A valve is inserted inside it, which is held by a nut.
2. Presta (Presta) - sports or French. Used for road (road) and sports bikes, for hybrid models.
3. Schrader (Schroeder) - automotive, the most common among bicycle cameras. It has a diameter of 8-8.5 mm and a length of 40 mm (rarely 60 mm). You can pump up such a chamber at any tire fitting or with a conventional car pump. nine0008

Durability of the inner tube

Those who ride more than once a year know that a very quick and reliable way to protect their inner tube from damage is to purchase a special filler for it, anti-puncture. You can initially choose a product with a ready-made protection system, but professionals recommend buying a substance separately and pouring it into the “donut” yourself.

In case of accidental damage, the composition itself comes out from the inside, which will clog the hole. There is a margin of time to get to a more or less equipped point and provide “first aid” to your wheeled friend. On the road, you should always take a spare wheel and a repair kit with you, you never know what can happen. nine0003

In everything it is better and more correct to adhere to the “golden mean”, this is the opinion of managers from the Velo-Moto online store. It is important not to go beyond the recommended dimensions, to listen to expert opinion. Then your bike will delight you for many years with a high-quality ride, excellent speed and rich impressions. You can view the catalog of tires and cameras here.

Bicycle inner tube selection guide




What is a bicycle inner tube?

Let's start with the basics. .. What is a cycling tube? A bicycle bladder is a ball-like structure that can be inflated and deflated using a valve. When inflated with air, the chamber fills the tire, giving you a comfortable and safe ride. nine0003

There are also tubeless bike tires, but most likely your bike is fitted with tubes.

Bicycle inner tube is always matched to the size of the tire fitted. There are quite a few different wheel diameters on the market right now, which can make it difficult for you to find the correct tube size for your bike.

Which inner tube do I need for my bike?

Tubes are available in different sizes and with different types of nipples. These are two key factors to consider when choosing a bike tube. nine0003

Tubes vary in size according to tire diameter and width:


• Wheel diameter / circumference. Depending on the type of your bike - road, touring, mountain or children - the diameter / circumference of the wheel may vary. Within these categories, there are different diameters of tires, and, accordingly, bike tubes: 26 inches, 27. 5 inches, 28 inches, etc.
  
• Width. To the variety of diameters, different widths are added. Thus, a narrower chamber is used for road tires. Wider tires and tubes are used on mountain bikes. nine1246

Selecting the wrong diameter may result in a tube that is too long or the wrong width and the tube cannot fill the tire.

So how do you know what size you need?

There are two surefire ways to find the correct tube size for a bike:

1. Check the tire sidewall. The best way is to look at the markings on the sidewall of your tire. On it you should see something like "700x23c" on a road bike, or "29x1.9" on a mountain bike. The first number in this sequence refers to the circumference of the wheel; the latter refers to the tire width. Additional markings on the sidewall of a tire may include ISO ETRTO international size - this would look like "23-622" for a 700x23c tyre, or "50-559" for 26"x1.9" tires. Size ratio table of various specifications.
2. Check your bike's manual. Another way to determine your tube and tire size is to look at your bike's manual. Chances are you haven't changed the specification since you originally bought the bike.



Check the sidewalls of your tire to determine its size

Valve type - Schrader or Presta

Valve used to inflate/deflate the tube. There are two main types of valves: Schrader and Presta. They are fairly easy to identify visually. nine0003

Presta valves are narrower. Schrader valves are shorter and thicker (used on cars).




Presta valve - left. Schrader valve - on the right.

Advantages of latex inner tubes

Latex inner tubes are an alternative to the standard butyl tubes that are common on the market.

The advantage of a latex bladder is that it is lighter and more flexible, which can give a smoother ride feel as it can better respond to changes in the road surface. nine0003

The disadvantage of latex bladders is that they are more breathable than butyl bladders, so they need to be inflated more frequently.

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