When buying a new tube for your bike, there are a lot of things to consider. However, finding the right size, a durable material, the right valves or the best brands is actually quite easy. We explain below how to order the right inner tube for your bike.
Why does my bike need inner tubes anyway?
The air in bicycle tires serves two main purposes: First, it serves as a cushion that cushions uneven trails, so the cushion of air in your bike's inner tube makes your bike much more comfortable. However, the flexibility of the tyres also serves another purpose - it helps you to steer the bike and to stay on track. Every little stone and crack in the asphalt would tear a solid tire aside. An air-filled tire simply gives way at that point and keeps rolling straight ahead.
How to find the right bicycle inner tube
Bicycle inner tubes come in different sizes and varieties. For children's bikes, road bikes, gravel bikes, city bikes and mountain bikes, you are guaranteed to find the right tube in our shop. When ordering new bicycle inner tubes, you have to make sure that they are the right size. In addition, the valve must fit your rims, otherwise it will not fit through the existing hole. There are bicycle inner tubes made of different materials and from different manufacturers. Here you can read how to find the perfect tube for your bike
Which bicycle inner tube do I need? The most important questions in a nutshell:
- What size bike inner tube do I need?
- Do I need an extra sturdy inner tube?
- Which valve do I need?
Size matters - find the right tube for your bike
Tubes come in different sizes to match the width and diameter of your wheel. So when buying, you have to make sure to choose the right tube size. Most bicycle tires and inner tubes in Europe correspond to the ETRTO size designations. ETRTO stands for European Tire and Rim Technical Organization and tells you exactly which tube will fit your shell and rims
You will find the specification printed on the side of your tyre, for example 28 - 622. The first number tells you the width of the tyre, the second number the inner diameter of the tyre. Often you will also find the number of inches behind it, 28 x 1.10 would be the same tire size in inches. If there are other specs on your coats, you can find the ETRTO tube sizes in a table
Our blog article "How to determine the tire size for your bike" will help you determine your bike tube size.
- On mountain bikes, there are usually three different sizes: 26 inches, 27.5 inches, and 29 inches.
- On road bikes, gravel bikes, singlespeed and city bikes, 28 inch tubes are usually installed.
- On children's bikes and BMX, tires and tubes start at 12 inches and go up to 24 inches.
12 inch to 24 inch tubes
You are looking for the right tube for the offspring on two wheels? Then you are guaranteed to find it in our online shop. We offer you the common sizes for children's bikes from 12" to 24" Zoll. But it's not just the very young ones who want bulging tires, even folding bike riders and BMXers aren't spared flat feet. You train hard to perfect your tricks - in the process, it inevitably happens that the tube bursts sometimes. We offer you new bike tubes in different materials.
26 inch tubes
Many bikes are fitted with 26" wheels with us you'll find a selection from the market leading manufacturers such as Maxxis, Schwalbe and Continental. Whether you're looking for high-quality tubes for your city bike, extra-light bike tubes for your cross-country bike, or extra-durable freeride tubes, you'll find what you're looking for at our shop.
26 inch tubes 650C
The 650C measurement is most common in triathlon and time trial bikes. We offer the right inner tube for this branch of cycling as well. We have bicycle inner tubes from Michelin and Continental in our range. The tubes are specifically designed for intense loads, yet are very light in material.
27.5 inch tubes
The new standard, which is preferably installed in mountain bikes such as enduros or downhill bikes, is called 27.5 inches. Especially in this sector, flat tires are not uncommon. You jump through stone fields and sweep over sharp root passages on DH trails or cross sharp-edged rocks on alpine tours. These are typical causes for punctures and so-called snakebites, which happen when the tyre punctures. Especially in case of such punctures, often only a new inner tube can help. In our shop, we offer you various tubes from high-quality manufacturers such as Schwalbe, Maxxis or Continental.
28 inch tubes
In the road bike and gravel sector, 28" wheels are usually installed. Who does not want to rely on the tubeless tires often used in the professional sector, can find the right road bike tube in our shop. We also offer a selection of 28" tubes for city and trekking bikes. You will find high-quality bicycle inner tubes as well as special ultra-light tubes, when every gram counts. So you are prepared for all kinds of punctures, no matter if you are on your next gravel, fixie or bikepacking tour.
29 inch tubes
29" wheels are most common in enduro, cross-country and all-mountain riding. These classes of bikes are exposed to special conditions and dangers. It is not uncommon to be riding in rough terrain on sharp roots or sharp-edged stones, thorns from bushes can also quickly put a spanner in the works of your bike tour. In these moments, it is an advantage to have a spare tube in the right size of 29" in your backpack. In our online shop, you will find the right tube for your bike. You can choose from the range of the leading manufacturers Maxxis, Continental and Schwalbe.
Which inner tube does my e-bike need?
E-bikes roll on the usual tire sizes, even the StVO does not prescribe special tires for e-bikes. However, since e-bikes are usually much heavier, you should definitely pull in brand-name bicycle inner tubes from proven manufacturers! The quality of these tubes guarantees that they are durable enough to carry the higher weight permanently.
The Right Valve
The valve also wants to be considered when buying, as there are differences here as well and a total of three or four different types:
Dunlop (DV)
The so-called Dunlop valve requires a rim bore of 8.5 mm diameter and normally withstands a pressure of about 6 bar. Characteristically, the inner workings of the valve can be very easily unscrewed from the thread attached to the bicycle tube. A big disadvantage is that you cannot measure the air pressure with this system.
Sclaverand (SV or RV)
The Sclaverand, also known colloquially as the "road bike valve" or "French bike valve", used to be installed almost exclusively on road bikes. Road bikes usually have narrower rims and this valve only requires a bore of 6.5 mm. Nowadays, this type of valve is used almost everywhere and can also be found very often on MTB bikes.
The maximum pressure is around 15 bar, although this pressure can only be reached with a standpump . Small hand pumps or compressors at the gas station usually do not manage this high air pressure. To inflate with a compressor, you also need a valve adapter. This is simply screwed onto the open valve. Before you start inflating, you have to open a small screw on the head of the valve.
This type of valve is available from Schwalbe and Continental, for example. Road bike rims often have a very high profile, so these bike tubes are available with different valve lengths. SV tubes are also available in all common inch sizes.
In Italy you can find a variation of the Sclaverand valve. There it is called Reginaventil or RV for short. In Germany, this valve is mostly installed on Italian bikes, especially children's bikes.
Schrader (AV)
The Schrader is colloquially known as the "car valve" and is popular for its simplicity when choosing a bicycle tube. It got the name car valve because it has the same dimensions and can thus be easily inflated on the compressor at home or at a gas station. An additional adapter is not necessary. The maximum pressure is also 6 bar and the rim bore is also 8.5 mm, just like a Dunlop valve.
Schwalbe, Continental, Maxxis and Michelin - the best manufacturers for bicycle inner tubes
With many bike parts, it's perfectly acceptable to go for cheap, no-name products. If you don't mind changing your bike inner tube every now and then, there's nothing wrong with buying cheaper products here as well. However, if you attach importance to a high and carefree mileage, you should go for branded products , there are several manufacturers that have proven themselves in the field of bicycle tyres and inner tubes. At Bike Mailorder you can find tubes from the tyre giants Continental, Michelin and Schwalbe, here you can be sure that quality and value for money are right. But also smaller manufacturers who only produce bicycle tires, like Onza or Maxxis deliver excellent quality. Schwalbe, by the way, was the first manufacturer to go public with a puncture-proof range, and its "Unplattbar" tyres are legendary.
The agony of material choice
When it comes to bicycle inner tubes, there are also differences in material. Especially in terms of weight, inner tubes differ immensely. For mountain bikes, for example, extra robust bicycle tubes are offered. Here, the focus is mainly on increased puncture protection. For road bikes, on the other hand, as much weight as possible is saved and the material may be very thin.
The ultimate are bicycle inner tubes made of latex. This material is durable and particularly light, this is especially interesting for competition-oriented riders. However, the very good properties also have their price. For this reason, most riders prefer to use conventional tubes made of butyl. In order to save resources and the environment, recycled material is often used nowadays.
Although riding tubeless systems has become more and more popular, it makes sense to have a spare tube in your backpack on particularly long tours or enduro races. TR systems work well and respond quickly to minor punctures, but even this tire system has its limitations.
Tube Accessories
Who hasn't been there? It's the best touring weather and you've already put some miles behind you. But suddenly it makes "hiss"! The tire is flat. Now you are well advised to have high-quality accessories with you. A practical option to prevent possible punctures are, among others, puncture protection inserts. Apart from preventive measures, you will also find replacement or tubeless valves for the conversion to the tubeless system in our shop. Of course, we also have sealing milk ready for you. For the acute puncture a mobile patch kit is helpful, for larger holes often only a replacement tube helps. All tools for the repair you can also order.
What to do when the air is out? Hose replacement made easy!
When you have a flat inner tube on your bike, there are a few things to consider when fitting a new one. First, check to see why your tire is flat. Carefully drive your hand through the rim after you have removed the defective inner tube. If you feel any bumps, splinters or spikes, remove them carefully. You also have to check the tyre itself, because sometimes there is an object stuck there that would puncture the new tube immediately.
If you don't find any foreign objects on the rim or tire, you can insert the new tube. Inflate it minimally beforehand, then the inner tube can be placed better. Insert the valve through the rim hole of your MTB, road bike or trekking bike and secure the valve with the enclosed nut.
Once you have fully inserted the tube into the tyre, you can put the bicycle tyre back on. When levering with a tire lever, be careful not to pinch the tube between the wheel and the tool. The necessary tools for mounting or preventive puncture protection can also be found in our online shop.
