How to choose road bike inner tubes?

How to choose road bike inner tubes?

You might think that choosing an inner tube is straightforward. But there are a few subtleties to bear in mind to find the right one. Here are some tips on the subject.

STANDARDS

  • Wheel size for an adult bike: 700 or 650
  • Tyre width
  • The valve type: Presta, or less commonly Schrader or even Dunlop
  • Valve length
  • The valve core type: removable or not

TYPES OF INNER TUBES

The size of an inner tube is made up of two numbers: the first value corresponds to the diameter of your tyre, and the second is a range of use based on the width of your tyre. For example, an inner tube rated 700x20/25 is designed for a tyre with a 700 diameter and between 20 and 25 wide, so you can use it for a tyre in 700x23, for instance.

There are three types of valves for an inner tube. Make sure you choose the one that is compatible with your rim.

  • It is either of the Presta type, predominantly found on road bikes but also widely used on mountain bikes;
  • or Schrader, which is wider and identical to the one used on cars;
  • or even Dunlop, generally reserved for Dutch city bikes.

The inner tube itself is most often made of butyl but you can also find ones made of latex which, despite poorer airtightness, has the advantage of being less susceptible to punctures and being up to twice as light (these latex tubes are not compatible with carbon fibre rims).

For butyl inner tubes, you will have the choice between the most basic models, or reinforced versions to limit punctures. If weight is what interests you to make your wheels more dynamic, there are "ultralight" versions that are generally thinner, but beware of punctures with this type of tube!

Furthermore, inner tubes are available in different valve lengths to suit the profile of your wheels. As a default for a standard low-profile rim, at least 32 mm is required.

Note that some inner tubes allow the valve core to be removed in order to fit a valve extender.



WHICH INNER TUBE FOR MY RIDING STYLE?

Cycle touring

If you are simply looking to ride for leisure, standard butyl tubes — a guarantee of reliability — will be perfectly suitable.

Cyclosportive

For a good compromise between leisure and performance, premium butyl tubes — generally thinner and lighter, known as "light" — will give your wheels more dynamism while maintaining good puncture resistance.

Time trial / Triathlon

Finally, the best performance gains will be achieved with particularly thin tubes that offer little puncture resistance. An alternative may be to use latex tubes, which are far more resistant; however, these struggle to retain pressure to the point where it must be corrected before every ride.

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ROAD - Inner Tubes

  • CONTINENTAL RACE 700x20/25c Presta Inner Tube

    CONTINENTAL RACE 700x20/25c Presta Inner Tube

    From 43,00 DKK
    From 43,00 DKK
  • HUTCHINSON STANDARD 700x20/25 PRESTA Inner Tube

    HUTCHINSON STANDARD Inner Tube 700x20/25 PRESTA

    From 43,00 DKK
    From 43,00 DKK
  • Inner Tube HUTCHINSON STANDARD 700x25/30 PRESTA

    HUTCHINSON STANDARD 1 Inner Tube 700x25/30 PRESTA

    From 43,00 DKK
    From 43,00 DKK
  • CONTINENTAL RACE 700x25/32c Presta 42 mm Valve Inner Tube

    CONTINENTAL RACE 700x25/32c Presta Inner Tube

    76,00 DKK
    76,00 DKK
  • HUTCHINSON Inner Tube SET OF 2 700x28/35 PRESTA 48mm

    HUTCHINSON Inner Tube 700x28/35 PRESTA 48mm (Pack of 2)

    67,00 DKK
    67,00 DKK
  • HUTCHINSON Inner Tube SET OF 2 700x20/25 PRESTA 48mm

    HUTCHINSON Inner Tube 700x20/25 PRESTA 48mm (Pack of 2)

    67,00 DKK
    67,00 DKK
  • CONTINENTAL RACE LIGHT 700x20/25c Presta Inner Tube

    CONTINENTAL RACE LIGHT 700x20/25c Presta Inner Tube

    76,00 DKK
    76,00 DKK
  • PIRELLI SMARTUBE 700x23/32c Presta 42mm Inner Tube

    PIRELLI SMARTUBE Inner Tube 700x23/32c Presta

    From 186,00 DKK
    From 186,00 DKK
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