Road inner tubes

How to choose a road bike inner tube

An incorrectly sized inner tube can pinch or deform inside the tyre. Continental, Michelin, Hutchinson, Schwalbe, Vittoria, Pirelli and Tubolito cover standard butyl, lightweight butyl and TPU.

What width?

• The range shown on the box (for example 700x25-32) must cover the actual width of your tyre.
• An inner tube that is too narrow stretches and punctures more easily; if it is too wide, it wrinkles during fitting.
• The diameter is 700c on almost all current road bikes.

What valve length?

This is the most common purchasing mistake: the valve must protrude far enough from the rim to fit the pump.

• 40 mm : shallow rims, up to around 25 mm deep.
• 60 mm : rims from 40 to 50 mm.
• 80 mm : deep-section rims, over 50 mm.
• A removable valve core allows you to add an extender rather than change the inner tube.

Butyl, lightweight butyl or TPU?

• Standard butyl : affordable, reliable and easy to repair.
• Lightweight butyl : saves a few dozen grams, with a thinner wall.
• TPU : very light and tiny when folded, ideal as a spare inner tube.

To find out more: How to choose road bike inner tubes

See also: Road tyres · Tubeless kits and valves