Road bike inner tubes

Butyl, latex or TPU: three materials for the road

Butyl, a dense synthetic rubber, remains the standard for its durability and waterproofing: a well-mounted butyl tube loses very little pressure from one week to the next, making it the go-to tube, like those from Vredestein or Durca. Latex, being more flexible, reduces rolling resistance and improves feel, at the cost of air loss that requires re-inflation before each ride. TPU, thermoplastic polyurethane, is the most recent material: the Vittoria Ultralight weighs significantly less than a standard butyl tube, rolls up into a small coil, and slips easily into a jersey pocket.

The rest of the wheel

Road wheels and tyres also come in:

• Tyres.
• Tubulars.
• Wheels.
• Pumps and Accessories.

The whole universe is gathered on the wheels and tyres page.

Presta valve length and rim height

On the road, the Presta valve, slim and equipped with a small closing knob, fits almost all rims, as the narrow drilling doesn’t allow a wider valve. Its length is chosen according to the rim profile: forty millimetres is enough for a low rim, a rim of forty to fifty millimetres high requires a sixty millimetre valve, and the tallest profiles need an eighty millimetre valve. The valve must extend at least one and a half centimetres so that the pump head can lock onto it. On very high rims, a removable valve, with a screw-in core, allows for an extender to be added.

Check the ETRTO size before buying

The size is read on the sidewall of the tyre in ETRTO format: a tyre marked twenty-eight-six hundred and twenty-two is twenty-eight millimetres wide for a fitting diameter of six hundred and twenty-two millimetres, which is the diameter of seven hundred wheels for road bikes. The tube indicates a range of widths, for example eighteen to twenty-five or twenty-five to thirty-two millimetres: the tyre width must fall within this range. A tube that’s too narrow stretches and thins out, while a tube that’s too wide creates folds that pinch when mounted. For the widest road tyres, the Durca covers the range of thirty-two to forty-two millimetres.

Good deals

Great bargains can also be found in good deals, promotions, clearances, sales, and Black Friday. The new arrivals showcase the latest collections, and the items shipped in 24h are prepared and dispatched within 24 hours. The key moments of the year follow a stable order: Black Friday at the end of autumn, the holiday season, the winter sales, the French Days in spring, then the summer sales and back to school.

Frequently asked questions

How do I change an inner tube on the rear wheel of a road bike?

Place the chain on the smallest sprocket, open the quick release or thru axle, and remove the wheel by pulling the derailleur back. When reassembling, the chain goes back on to the same small sprocket, guiding the wheel into the frame’s dropouts.

How do I fix a flat inner tube at the roadside?

Inflate the tube slightly to hear or feel the leak, then sand the area and apply a self-adhesive patch. Before reassembling, run your fingers inside the tyre to remove any flint or shard causing the puncture.

Why is my inner tube pinch flat?

Pinch flats occur when the tyre, under-inflated, compresses against a hole or curb: the tube gets pinched between the tyre and the rim, creating two small parallel slits. An appropriate pressure for its weight and tyre width can prevent this.

Do I need a specific pump for a Presta valve?

Most pumps have a dual or reversible head that accepts the Presta valve. Before inflating, unscrew the small knob at the top of the valve, and then screw it back once the pressure is reached.

How many spare tubes should I take on a ride?

One spare tube is enough for a short ride, two for a long ride far from anything. A TPU tube, very compact, can easily fit with tyre levers and a CO2 cartridge in the saddlebag.