Bicycle tubes are like deflated balloons. They feature a valve that makes it easier for you to inflate and deflate them. It’s an air cushion placed underneath your tire, to make sure that you benefit from a safe bike ride. Not all bikes need a tube, but many bikes have them. Here’s what you need to know.
Top 6 Best Bicycle Tubes Reviews
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Brand |
Details |
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Schwalbe Inner Tubes |
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KENDA Road Bicycle Tube |
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Continental Bicycle Tube |
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Sunlite Inner Tubes |
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Venzo 10x Road Bike Tire Inner Tubes |
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Bell Universal Inner Tube |
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Bestselling Bicycle Tubes 202
Finding the Right Tube
As you can imagine, there are several sizes and characteristics of a tube. It’s a key bike accessory because it’s vital to the tire’s efficiency and safety. So, let’s go over some of the important things to look after before making a purchasing decision.
Size
The size of your inner tube is super important as it will determine if the product is compatible with your bike or not. In turn, size is also dependent on the diameter and width of the wheel. The wheel’s diameter varies depending on the type of bike you own. Obviously, the diameter of a touring bike wheel won’t be the same as the one on a children’s bike. Then, you have the tire’s width. Mountain bike tires are generally wider compared to road bike ones. If you purchase the wrong size, you will end up having either too much tube that doesn’t fit inside the tire or a tube that’s too small and leaves empty space.
Here are the best ways to make sure you nail the inner tube size:
- You can do so by verifying the tire’s sidewalls. They generally have some important markings on them. Depending on the type of bike that you own, you could have markings such as “29 x 1.9” (if you own a mountain bike) or “700 x 23c” (if you own a road bike). The first number in the sequence is the diameter of the wheel, while the second one is the tire’s width.
- Another method would be to check your bike’s specifications. Most manufacturers have this information available on their website, and you should easily access a full list of specifications for your bike model.
Valve
If you’ve owned a bike for quite a while, we don’t need to tell you that tires typically have one of the two most popular valve types: Presta and Schrader. Valves are used to inflate the inner tube. But, of course, these 2 valves have different characteristics. Presta valves are longer and narrower, while Schrader valves are shorter and fatter (commonly found on car tires).
There is also a third type of uncommon valve, but we still feel the need to mention it. It’s called a Woods valve and is very similar to a Presta valve, except that it has a collar that’s used to keep the valve’s core in place. Because of it, it’s not exactly compatible with all the modern pumps.
Materials
As you can imagine, not all inner tubes are made from the same material. Most of them are made from butyl rubber, because it is the most inexpensive choice and the most robust one. If a tube ever gets punctures, it can easily be repaired with a standard puncture kit. Some manufacturers also sell lighter butyl inner tubes, which means they are made from thinner rubber. As you can imagine, they are also more prone to getting flats.
Of course, you can always opt for latex tubes. They are the lightest option, but they are also the most fragile. They will also lose air faster, so you need to make sure you’ve checked the pressure and inflated them before going out for a ride. Sadly, they aren’t repairable in case of a flat. There is another downside to using latex tubes, especially with rim braked carbon clincher wheels. The laws of physics have taught us that, since carbon rims aren’t as heat-transmitting as alloy ones, braking creates hotspots that can damage the inner tube.
Gravel bike tires may require tougher tubes. If you’re going on a bike trip, be sure to plan accordingly and bring materials as tough as the road.
Tubeless Tires
Tubeless tires have found their way on mountain bikes for quite some time now, but are just recently being used on road tires. However, going tubeless will require that you have both a tubeless-ready wheel and a tire. You will need to have them both, as there are chances of your tire blowing out if you don’t. Tubeless tires feature a separate Presta valve. This valve is screwed into the rim and features a seal made from a rubber end. Mounting the tubeless tire can only be done with the valve put into the rim.
The whole process of going tubeless is a bit tricky, especially when you try to get an airtight seal to the rim. You’ll most likely need a sealant to make this happen. Even more, sealant can also help you take care of small punctures.
Puncture Proofing
If the tube that’s installed on your bike comes with a removable core, you can add puncture protection to it, just by adding a good sealant. Remove the core, add the sealant and refit the core. This won’t help you get rid of large holes, but it will take care of smaller ones. Sadly, there aren’t compatible sealants with latex inner tubes, as they cause it to fail over time.
Top 6 Best Bicycle Tubes Reviews
Schwalbe Inner Tubes
- Dimensions: 26 inch x 1.50 to 2.50 (Fits any 26 x 1.50, 1.75, 1.90, 1.95, 2.00, 2.1, 2.125, 2.5, 2.35, 2.50)
- Weight: N/A
- Type: butyl rubber tube
Considered some of the best on the market, Schwalbe inner tubes are pretty neat. In their manufacturing process, they are inserted into a mold and inflated to ensure constant air pressure retention and air thickness. Then, they are held in storage for 24 hours after being inflated, to make sure that they can hold that pressure in. Even more, the tubes have to pass a visual inspection to make sure they meet quality control standards.
They are sold in a pack of 2, which is pretty cool considering that a flat can occur when you least expect it. These inner tubes are made from butyl rubber, making them more durable than latex inner tubes. Because of that, they are much more resistant against punctures, and this is a feature that might be useful to you if you ride on diverse terrain. These tubes measure 26 inches, and they can be expanded between 1.5 and 2.5 inches while still being able not to put too much strain on the tube and make it more susceptible to puncture. Upon ordering, you will also receive 3 Skyscape metal valve caps to match the Presta valve that will also be in the package.
Pros
- Convenient pack of 2 inner tubes delivered.
- Made with butyl rubber, to ensure extra toughness.
- Ships with 3 Skyscape metal valve caps & a free Presta valve.
Cons
- Very slow shipping time.
KENDA Road Bicycle Tube
- Dimensions: fits a 700c/27 inch tire
- Weight: 4 ounces
- Type: butyl rubber tube
If you own a road bike, this Kenda inner tube may be just what you’re looking for. Since they have a lot of experience in their field (Kenda is one of the lead manufacturers of bike tires and has more than 50 years of experience), they are doing a very good job selling reliable inner tubes. This particular inner tube is made from butyl rubber, one of the best material choices out there. It fits a 27 inch or 700c tire and, since the product is one of the best of its kind, you can choose between a Schrader or a Presta valve. The .87 mm wall thickness did raise some questions inside our heads, especially since this makes it thinner than other tubes available on the market. Since it has a thinner wall, it’s important to be extra careful when maneuvering it.
Pros
- Feature smooth valves.
- Very good price.
- Easier to install because the tube is thinner.
Cons
- Thin walls.
Continental Bicycle Tube
- Dimensions: 26 x 1.27 – 1.75 and 700 x 28 – 47 Schrader valves; 26 x 1.25 – 1.75 and 700 x 28 – 47 Presta valves
- Weight: 5.6 ounces
- Type: butyl rubber tube
You know you can always rely on Continental for delivering some decent products for your bike. Their 100 years of experience kind of speaks for itself. The inner tubes sold by Continental are durable and feature removable valve cores. Thanks to their Unitube system, they are compatible with several tire sizes, so there’s most likely one out there suitable for you as well. All of their products are quality tested, so you can rest assured that your tube will arrive in mint condition. The 40 mm Schrader valves may not be as long as other options, they are compatible with rims that measure between 24 and 30 mm in depth. Being made of butyl rubber, the inner tubes delivered by Continental should be very durable, while ensuring the comfort of every rider.
Pros
- The Unitube system makes the tubes more compatible with several tire sizes.
- Every one of the tubes has to pass a quality test before being sold.
- Inner tube is molded to make sure it’s perfectly round.
- Features removable valve cores to facilitate extender adding.
Cons
- Schrader valves are a bit short.
Sunlite Inner Tubes
- Dimensions: 29 x 2.10 (700 x 50 – 52c)
- Weight: 1.6 pounds (pack of 2)
- Type: N/A
Whether you need Presta or Schrader tubes, Sunlite has you covered. These particular inner tubes are ideal for mountain bikes. Since they are sold in a pack of 2, you will automatically have a spare tube to rely on in case of any flat incidents. While the tube is mostly recommended for mountain bikes, you can easily use it on other types of bikes with a 29-inch tire. Thanks to the Schrader valve, it should be easy to inflate and deflate the tube. However, the tube is also available with Presta valves, if needed.
Pros
- Possibility to choose between Presta and Schrader valves.
- Available as a single unit or a pack of 2.
- Compatible with most bikes that pack a 29-inch tire.
- Schrader valve makes it easy to inflate and deflate the tube.
Cons
- No information available on the type of rubber used.
Venzo 10x Road Bike Tire Inner Tubes
- Dimensions: 700 (27 inch) x 18/25c
- Weight: 2.7 pounds
- Type: butyl rubber tube
If you ever wanted to buy some decent inner tubes in bulk, this is one of the best deals you’re going to get. Although we’re not entirely sure why someone would want to buy 10 inner tubes at once, the price makes us not care that much: it is a pretty sweet deal. Here’s something else we know: you can opt between a 36 or a 60 mm Presta valve, which should be more than enough length for you to inflate them comfortably. The thing with the Venzo inner tubes that’s pretty confusing is the collection of divided customer opinions. Some believe that it’s a great opportunity and that the tubes are high-quality compared to their price per unit, while others have reported constantly having flats just a few miles in. With products like these, it might just be a matter of luck.
Pros
- Extremely affordable pack of 10 tubes.
- Easy-to-install.
Cons
- Flimsy seam welding.
Bell Universal Inner Tube
- Dimensions: 6 inch, 12.5 inch x 1.75 inch – 2.25 inch, 14 – 24 inch x 1.75 inch – 2.25 inch, 26 inch x 1 3/8 inch, 26 inch x 1.75 inch – 2.25 inch, 27 inch x 1.125 inch – 1.25 inch, 27.5 inch x 1.90 inch – 2.125 inch, 29 inch x 2.10 inch – 2.25 inch
- Weight: varies depending on the size chosen
- Type: mold cured rubber tire
We wanted to talk a little bit about the Bell inner tube. This particular product features a Schrader valve that is easy to inflate with a car pump. Since the tube is made from mold-cured rubber, it should withstand a lot of pressure, being compatible with mountain bikes. Bell offers a wide variety of size choices, all of them being subjected to the same rigorous manufacturing process. We were surprised to discover this tube’s versatility, as many customers reported having used it successfully on a stroller.
Pros
- Very affordable price.
- Puncture-resistant.
- Made with mold cured rubber to add durability to the tube.
Cons
- Seems to have quite a short lifespan (less than 2-3 months).
The Bottom Line
Choosing the best tube for your wheels is a matter of preference, riding style, and wheel compatibility. Of course, it depends on what type of bike you own. Mountain bikes require tires with a larger width, which means that the inner tube should match it. In case you own an MTB, the Schwalbe inner tubes are your best choice. However, if you own a road bike, you would be better off using a Kenda or Continental tube. However, we don’t fully want to exclude that 10-tube pack sold by Venzo, you 2 (or… 11) might just be the right match.
No matter which type of bike you own, all of these inner tubes have the same purpose: creating a seal in your bike’s tire. So, as long as the tube can serve its purpose, it should be a good purchase. This is why we believe that, in most cases, taking a product and naming it the very best is a subjective matter. However, if you want to take inner tube shopping a notch, you might want to consider buying self-sealing tubes. This means that every time the tube experiences a small puncture, the chemical slime found inside it can automatically cover those small punctures. However, this doesn’t mean that you will stay protected against flats for the rest of your life.
Also, remember that the materials used to make tubes have their importance. Steer clear from latex and always try to opt for the thickest type of rubber you can find. This is especially important if you’re usually riding your bike on debris-covered terrain. Should your path take you over sharp thorns or small and pointy rocks, it’s a good idea to have an extra-tough tube that’s rugged and capable of helping you ride across these sharp obstacles.