We stock the categories of tubes listed below. If you're unsure about what type of bicycle/wheel you have or the valve type please read further down this page. Children's bikes, folding bikes and BMXs 10-24" Children's Bicycle Inner Tubes 20" BMX Inner Tubes20/16" Folding Bicycle Inner Tubes24" MTB/Children's Bicycle Inner Tubes 24", 26", 27.5" 29", MTB & Commuter Bicycle Inner Tubes Road, racing touring and CX bikes 700c Road Bicycle Inner Tubes700c Touring & Commuter Bicycle Inner Tubes700c Cyclo Cross Bicycle Inner Tubes Wheelchair and Mobility ScootersPrams and Pushchairs Wheelbarrow, Sack Truck and Trailer Inner Tubes Motorbike, Scooter and Quad Bike Inner Tubes If you're unsure it's best to use the numbers on the side of your tyre to find your tube The numbers on the sidewall of you tyre are the best place to look for your tyre and tube size information. Most tyres will show both an size and a or size. See below images for examples of two of the most common tyre sizes.

Mountain Bike 54-559 ETRTO or Road Bike 23-622 ETRTO or You should also make sure to choose the correct valve type. Read more about bicycle valve types here.The first number is the diameter and the second is the width of the tyre. However, they do not exactly represent the actual size of your tyre so can lead to confusion in a few cases as outlined further down this page. 54-559 and 23-622 in the example images above ETRTO sizing is a world-wide standard developed by the European Tyre and Rim Technical Organisation. This sizing method is much more accurate by exactly describing the tyre width and rim diameter in millimetres and ensures you are definitely getting the right size tyre or tube, but they aren't exactly catchy to remember! It's also worth noting that the exact rim diameter of 29" MTBs is the same as standard road and touring wheels at 622mm so tyres and tubes can be used on both platforms. wide mtb tyres should not be used on slender road rims for stability reasons and MTB Tyres may not fit in the frame of a road bicycle.

Many people these days are using tyres with a puncture protecting tape, either built into the tyre like the Schwalbe Plus and Continental Gatorskin ranges, or fitted afterwards like our Dr Sludge Anti-Puncture Tape. These protective layers take up some of the space inside the tyre so you should take between two and four millimetres (or 0.1 - 0.2") off the stated width of the tyre when selecting which tube you need, depending on the thickness of the tape in your tyre. The late Sheldon Brown amassed a huge amount of information about all things bicycle so to become a real expert visit Harris Cyclery's Tire Sizing Page where all his knowledge has been published. Inner tubes by their nature expand and contract so sizing is more flexible than with tyres. Although we don't recommend it, if you cannot find an exact match in our sizes if the size you purchase is relatively close the tube will often fit anyway. Please remember that if choosing a tyre the rim diameter must be an exact fit.

We welcome requests for range expansion so please let us know which new inner tubes sizes or other products you would like to see by using our contact form.Different types of bicycles use different sizes of wheels. Replacement Slings For Outdoor Patio FurnitureIn general, modern bikes use 26-inch or 700c wheels, tires and tubes, of which 700c is larger. Imported Shower HeadsA bike wheel can accommodate a limited range of tire and tube widths, but getting the right tube diameter is essential for avoiding flat tires and ruined tubes.Is There Mercury In Led Light Bulbs The most common bike tires and tubes are 26-inch or 700c. 700c wheels measure approximately 29 inches in diameter with the tire installed. Other frequently seen sizes are 20-inch, 24-inch, 27-inch and 28-inch.

Widths of bike tires and tubes vary considerably. On 700c tires, widths are measured in millimeters and commonly measure 18 mm to 35 mm. On other types of tires, widths are measured in inches and range from 1 to 3 inches. In general, tube size is slightly flexible; for example, you may use a 26 x 1.25 tube on a 26 x 1.5-inch tire. However, do not use a tube of a different diameter than the tire and wheel except in an emergency. BikePro advises you can use tubes with widths within ¾ inch of the tire width for 26-inch wheels (used on mountain bikes and some hybrid or comfort bikes), and within 3/8 inch for road wheels like the 700c and 27-inch sizes. The easiest way to determine tube size is by looking on the tube for a printed measurement. To determine the size of tube you need, look for measurements on the tire, either on a sticker or printed directly onto the outer side wall. If you have no tire, measure the circumference of the wheel in millimeters, placing your measuring tape on the bead seat.

The bead seat is where the edge, or bead, of your tire rests when placed inside the rim. Refer to Sheldon Brown’s Measuring Bicycle Rim Sizes charts to determine your wheel size and corresponding tube size. Tire and Inner Tube Service This article will review compatibility issues and considerations when purchasing bicycle tires and inner tubes. Aspects of performance and the type of ride resulting from the choices will not be reviewed. When selecting tires and inner tubes for a bicycle, it is important to get compatible components. There are many different tire and wheel sizes available. Unfortunately, the bicycle industry has not always had consistently clear nomenclature for tire standards. Tires are made with a steel wire or fabric cord molded into each edge of the tire called the “bead”. The tire bead effectively forms a circle and the diameter of this circle determines the tire fit to the rim. The tire bead is sized to fit into the rim bead seat, which is the area below the outer rim edge.

BEAD OF TIRE AND BEAD SEAT OF RIM Do not attempt to mix tires and wheels with different bead seat diameters. Although the bead seat diameter determines the tire and wheel fit, there is little consistency between manufacturers in how tires are labeled or identified. Different countries at times have used different nomenclature in marketing and labeling their tires. This causes confusion when selecting a tire for a wheel and frustration when installing a tire. An antiquated but still common system uses “inch” designations, such as 26-inch, 27.5-inch, 29-inch. The inch size does not refer to the bead seat diameter or measurement. In fact the number of the inch designation has no actual inch measurement associated with it. It is simply a code of the vaguely approximate outside tire diameter. For example, there are several 26-inch tires that use different bead seat diameters. A 26 x 1 3/8 inch tire, for example, will not interchange with the common MTB 26 x 1.5 inch tire.

There are three even more obscure tire standards also referred to as 26-inch diameter, but none are interchangeable. As a rule, tires marked with fraction sizes, such as 1/2, 3/4, etc., do not interchange with tires marked in decimal sizing, such as 0.5, 0.75, etc. For example, a 26” x 1-1/2” tire does not interchange with a 26” x 1.5” tire. There is not a logical reason for this system, it is simply what manufacturers have offered for nomenclature when selecting a tire. Vintage Schwinn tire with inch designations Another common yet misleading system is the older French system of sizing. The numbers are reference numbers and are not accurate measurements of anything. Road bicycles commonly use a 700c tire that has a bead diameter of 622 mm. The “700c” does not refer to bead diameter. The “c” is simply part of the code system. There are also 700a and 700b tires and wheels, but none interchange with the more common 700c. Additionally, the 650b tires and wheels will not interchange with the 650c tires. 

The ETRTO (European Tire and Rim Technical Organization) system, sometimes called the ISO, short for the International Standards Organization, is now becoming more commonly used and understood. The ETRTO system uses a two number designations for both tire and rim sizing. The larger number is always the bead seat diameter. Rims and tires with the same number are made to fit one another. For example, tires marked 622 will fit rims marked 622, because the bead seat diameter is 622 millimeters for both. Look for this sizing system on the tire. ISO (ETRTO) sizing numbers on tire label, along with French sizing Rims also come labelled in ISO sizing, in the form of a two number system. The smaller number is the width in millimeters inside the rim sidewalls. Generally, a wider rim will accept a wider tire. A narrow tire on a relatively wide rim will mean the tire profile shape will be less rounded. A wide tire on a narrow rim will result in less support for the tire in cornering, which can cause the tire to laterally roll or twist.

Additionally, rim caliper brakes will have very little room to clear the tire with a very wide tire on a very narrow combination. As a loose rule, the ISO tire width should be between one and a half to two times the ISO rim width. A rim with a width of 25mm between the sidewalls should use an ISO tire width of about 37–50mm. Another consideration in selecting tires is the frame and fork. Although a tire might be correctly and safely fitted to a rim, the frame may lack clearance for the size. Inspect the bike if you are changing to a larger tire profile. There are three types of valve stems on bicycles, Schrader, Presta and Woods (“Dunlop”). Valve Stem Types (L-R): Schrader, Presta, Woods (Dunlop) The Schrader or “American-type valve” is common on cars and motorcycles. It is also found on many bicycles. The valve stem is approximately 8mm (5⁄16 inch) in diameter. The valve core consists of an internal spring plunger to assist in shutting the valve after inflation. 

The length of the valve can vary and should be longer for tall or deep rims. The Presta or French-type valve is common on mid- and higher-priced road bikes and on higher-priced mountain bikes. nominally 6mm in diameter and thinner compared to the Schrader valves. At the top of the Presta stem is a small valve locknut, which must be unthreaded before air can enter the tube. Some brands of Presta tubes use a valve shaft that is fully threaded and usually include a locking nut or ring. These come with an extra locking nut or ring. Loosen the ring by hand and remove it before installing the tube. Install and fully inflate the tube. Then install the lockring and snug only by hand. When deflating the tube, loosen and remove the nut first. Some makes and models of Presta inner tubes use a removable valve core. Inspect the end of the valve for two wrench flats. Use a valve core tool such as the Park Tool VC-1 or a small adjustable wrench to secure or remove the core.

Presta with removable core and VC-1 Inner tube valve stems are available in different lengths. Rims with a very tall cross section require longer valve stems (60 mm or 80 mm). There are valve extenders available that screw onto the Presta valve and allow the tube to be inflated (figure 2.38). If the inner tube uses a removable valve core, use an extension that screws into the valve’s inner threads. There are also designs that are simply a tube to lengthen the stem but do not permit the Presta valve locking nut to be secured. If the locking nut cannot be closed, the valve may leak. Extenders that do not allow the valve nut to be tightened may allow the tube to leak slowly. Left: removable valve core with double-threaded extender. Right: simple valve extender with lock nut loose The wheel rim valve hole should match the valve of the tube. If a rim has been made with the smaller valve hole for Presta valves, it can be typically drilled and enlarged safely to the 8 mm size by using an 11⁄32 inch (8.5 mm) hand drill.

After drilling, use a small round file to remove any sharp edges. Rims that are less than 15 mm outside width should not be drilled. It is also possible to use the smaller Presta valve in a rim intended for the larger Schrader by using an adapter sleeve. A third valve type is the “Woods” or Dunlop valve. These are seen on less expensive bikes outside the United States. The stem looks like a combination of a Schrader and a Presta stem. The top of the stem is narrow, with a large locking ring under it, and then the main shaft. To deflate the Dunlop valve, partially unthread the nut. Pull on the tip of the valve if air is not already escaping. Remove the nut fully after the inner tube is deflated. Remove tire and tube as any other. To inflate the Dunlop valve, use a Presta compatible pump head. Simply engage the head and inflate. There is no need to unthread the locking ring. The tube should match the tire size diameter closely. However, tires that are close in bead diameter may use the same inner tube.

For example, an inner tube for an ISO 630 tire (27-inch) will also fit an ISO 622 (700c) tire. The inner tube should also match the tire width, but, because inner tubes are elastic, one inner tube may fit a range of tire widths. If the inner tube is too narrow for the tire width, it will become very thin when inflated inside the tire body. This will cause it to be more susceptible to punctures and failures. If the tube is too wide for the tire, it will be difficult or impossible to properly fit inside the tire casing and seat in the rim. Part of the tube may stick out of the tire and blow out when the tire is fully inflated. The following table shows only some of the bicycle tires made. These are listed by ETRTO diameters (bead seat diameter). TIRE LABELS for INCH or FRENCH STANDARD ETRTO (ISO) Bead Seat Diameter COMMON USES & NOTES 16” x 1” to 2.2” 20” x 1” x 2.2” Juvenile bikes, BMX, freestyle bikes, recumbents 20” x 1-1/2 or 1-3/4