The correct inner tube matches your tire’s ISO size, fits your rim’s valve hole, and uses butyl for daily rides or latex/TPU for speed.
You want a tube that fits first time, holds air, and suits how you ride. This guide gives you a clean path to the right pick with clear size rules, valve checks, and material choices. If you’ve been typing which inner tube for a bike? and getting mixed answers, use the steps and tables below to land on the exact tube that fits your wheel and your goals.
Which Inner Tube For A Bike? Size, Valve, And Use Cases
Every good tube choice starts with three checks: the number on your tire sidewall (the ISO/ETRTO size), the valve hole your rim supports, and the tube material that fits your ride style. Get those right, and installation gets easy and flats get rarer.
Quick Size Rules You Can Trust
Look on the tire sidewall for a size like 28-622 or 47-559. That two-number code is the ISO/ETRTO system defined by ISO 5775-1. The second number is the bead seat diameter (BSD) in millimeters; it must match the wheel. The first number is the tire width in millimeters; your tube lists a width range that needs to cover that figure. When the BSD matches and your tube’s width range covers the tire width, you have a match. For deeper background on fit and sizing standards, Park Tool’s reference on tire, wheel, and inner tube fit lays out dimensions and naming clearly.
Common Tire Names And Their ISO Match
Use this table to map the inch name you see in shops to the exact ISO number on the tire and the tube label ranges you’ll see on packaging. Pick a tube whose printed range includes your tire width, and that lists the same BSD as your rim.
| ISO (BSD) | Common Wheel Name | Typical Tube Label Range |
|---|---|---|
| 203 / 254 / 305 | 12″ / 14″ / 16″ kids | 12×1.75–2.25, 16×1.5–2.125 |
| 406 / 451 | 20″ BMX / small road | 20×1.25–2.4 (specify 406 or 451) |
| 507 | 24″ junior/MTB | 24×1.5–2.5 |
| 559 | 26″ MTB/trekking | 26×1.5–2.4 |
| 571 | 650C tri/TT | 650×18–25C |
| 584 | 27.5″ / 650B | 27.5×1.9–2.6 |
| 622 | 700C / 29er | 700×23–32C (road) or 29×2.0–2.6 (MTB) |
| 630 | 27″ classic road | 27×1–1¼ |
How To Read A Tube Box Fast
Tube labels show a width range and a rim diameter. Match the rim diameter first: 622 for 700C/29er, 584 for 27.5″, 559 for 26″, 507 for 24″, 406 for 20″, and so on. Then ensure your tire width sits inside the printed range. A 700×28 tire pairs with a tube marked 700×25–32C. A 29×2.4 tire pairs with a 29×2.2–2.6 tube.
Choosing An Inner Tube For A Bike: Sizes And Valves
Once size is set, pick a valve that matches your rim hole. Presta stems are slimmer and suit narrow rims and deep-section wheels; Schrader stems are wider and suit many hybrids, BMX, and kids’ bikes. Dunlop (Woods) shows up on some city bikes in certain regions. Presta stems are nominally ~6 mm; Schrader stems use a larger ~8 mm hole, which changes what will fit a given rim. Those figures line up with long-standing tech notes from Sheldon Brown and Park Tool.
Valve Types And When Each Fits
- Presta — Slim body, locknut tip, common on road, gravel, and MTB. Works with narrow rims. Many versions have removable cores for sealant or extenders. Nominal stem diameter about 6 mm.
- Schrader — Car-style valve, sturdy, easy to fill at gas stations. Needs an ~8 mm hole, which is too large for some narrow rims without reinforcement.
- Dunlop (Woods) — Used on some city/trekking bikes in select markets. Stem diameter is similar to Schrader, so it needs the larger hole.
If your rim has an 8 mm Schrader hole and you want to run Presta, use a small grommet or reducer washer to center and support the stem. If your rim has a 6 mm Presta hole, do not enlarge it unless the rim maker says it’s safe.
Pick The Right Stem Length
Shallow rims (box-section) work with 32–48 mm Presta stems. Mid-depth rims often need 60 mm. Deep rims can need 80–100 mm or an extender. Schrader stems are near one standard length; deep road rims rarely use Schrader.
Tube Material: Ride Feel, Speed, And Upkeep
Three tube materials cover nearly all cases:
- Butyl — Tough, holds air well, easy to patch, low cost. Great daily pick for commuters and training miles.
- Latex — Supple and fast with low rolling drag. Needs frequent top-ups and careful install. Best for race days on clean roads.
- TPU (thermoplastic) — Light and compact with low losses in many tests. Patch kits and heat sensitivity vary by brand; follow the maker’s method.
Can A Tube Go Inside A Tubeless Tire?
Yes, many tubeless-ready tires can run a standard tube in a pinch or by choice. Tubeless setups reduce rolling losses and add puncture sealing, as Schwalbe notes in their tubeless tech pages, yet a tube is still a valid road-side fix and a workable everyday setup. Avoid mixing with tubular “sew-up” tires; those are a different system.
Match The Tube Width To Your Tire
Tubes expand to cover a range, but each has a sweet spot. A tube near the center of its printed range seats cleaner and resists pinch damage better than one stretched to the limit. A skinny tube stuffed into a wide tire can over-stretch and thin out. An oversize tube stuffed into a narrow tire wrinkles and runs hot.
Pressure Windows Still Apply
Follow the tire’s pressure window for your load and surface. A supple tube can’t save a too-hard or too-soft setup. Add a few PSI for loaded commutes; drop a few PSI on rough chipseal with bigger tires. Re-check after the first ride; latex in particular loses air faster and needs a top-up before each outing.
Fast Picks By Bike And Use
Road And All-Road (700C / 622)
Daily miles: butyl tube in the 700×25–32C range to match your tire. Race days: latex or TPU to trim rolling losses. Deep rims: 60–80 mm Presta or an extender.
Gravel (700C/650B)
For 38–50 mm tires, run a butyl or TPU tube matching that width. Many riders go tubeless for sealant protection; a spare butyl tube still saves the ride if a cut won’t seal.
MTB (26/27.5/29)
Pick a tube that covers your 2.2–2.6 width. Trail riders who stay with tubes can use thicker thorn-resistant butyl for rough zones. Tubeless is common; carry a 27.5 or 29 tube as a backup.
Hybrid, City, And Kids’ Bikes
Schrader or Dunlop stems are common; match what your rim takes. Butyl tubes keep the bike ready all week with less topping-off.
Seven Mistakes That Cause Flats
- Wrong BSD — If the ISO diameter doesn’t match, it will never seat right.
- Valve mismatch — A Presta stem rattling in a Schrader hole without a grommet can tear the base.
- Pinched tube — Tire bead traps the tube; always finish by lifting and squeezing around the rim to check.
- Old rim tape — Exposed spoke holes cut tubes; replace with correct width tape.
- Skewed stem — A crooked valve base stresses the tube and leaks under load.
- Over-tight lockrings — A slammed Presta lockring can dig into the tube at the valve base.
- Wrong width — A tube stretched far past its range runs thin and fragile.
Table Of Tube Materials And Trade-Offs
This matrix helps you pick a tube by what you value most.
| Material | Strengths | Trade-Offs |
|---|---|---|
| Butyl (standard) | Holds air well; easy patching; low cost | Heavier; higher rolling drag than latex/TPU |
| Butyl (thorn-resistant) | Thick wall for rough lanes and debris | More weight; slower feel |
| Butyl (lightweight) | Shaves grams vs standard butyl | Thinner wall; mind installation care |
| Latex | Supple ride; low rolling losses | Frequent top-ups; fiddly patching; heat sensitive |
| TPU | Light; compact; low losses in many tests | Brand-specific patch method; heat limits vary |
| Self-sealing butyl | Sealant inside helps with small punctures | Added weight; messy fixes if a big cut |
| Latex in tubulars* | Race feel on classic glue-on tires | Not for clincher rims; special mounting |
*Tubular tires are a different design and not the same as tubeless-ready clinchers.
Step-By-Step: Size And Buy With Confidence
- Read the tire sidewall and note the ISO code (say, 28-622).
- Confirm rim valve type by checking the hole: slim Presta (~6 mm) or wider Schrader/Dunlop (~8 mm).
- Pick a tube range that covers your width and lists your rim diameter.
- Choose stem length that clears your rim depth.
- Pick a material that fits your plan: butyl for everyday, latex or TPU when you chase speed.
Install Cleanly To Avoid Pinch Flats
Prep
- Remove the old tube and inspect the tire for thorns or wire.
- Check rim tape covers every spoke hole; replace if torn or dimpled.
Mount
- Inflate the new tube just enough to hold shape.
- Seat one tire bead, insert the tube with the stem straight, then finish the second bead by hand where possible.
- Work around the rim squeezing sidewalls together to feel for trapped tube.
Inflate
- Add air in small steps, spin and check the line on the tire for even seating.
- Set pressure to the tire’s window for your load and surface.
When A Close Variant Matters
The web mixes inch names with ISO codes, which leads to mix-ups between 700C/29er (both 622 BSD), 27.5″ (584), and 26″ (559). ISO 5775 cleans that up by using the bead seat diameter. That’s why tube boxes list “622” or “584” along with width ranges. If you’re still thinking, which inner tube for a bike? match the BSD printed on your tire and you’ll be set.
Which Inner Tube For A Bike? Fast Picks You Can Use Today
- Commuter on 700×28–35C — Butyl, Presta, 48–60 mm stem. Size 700×25–32C or 700×28–38C based on tire.
- Gravel on 700×40–50 — Butyl or TPU, Presta, 60 mm stem for deeper rims. Many riders go tubeless; still carry a butyl spare.
- MTB on 29×2.2–2.6 — Butyl or thorn-resistant butyl, Presta. A 29×2.2–2.6 tube covers most trail tires.
- Kids’ 20″ (406) — Schrader butyl tube, 20×1.5–2.125. Easy fills at local pumps.
- Tri/TT on 650C — Butyl or latex for race day; long Presta stem or extenders.
Extra Notes That Save Time
- Carry one tube that fits both wheels if your road or gravel bike uses the same tire size front and rear.
- Valve extenders need removable cores or a tight seal on the valve tip; test at home.
- Patch kits stick best on clean, scuffed butyl. TPU and latex need brand-specific patch kits and careful prep.
- Sealant with tubes can plug tiny holes in some butyl models, but adds weight and mess. Many riders skip it inside tubes.
Why ISO Codes Appear On Every Good Tube Box
The ISO/ETRTO system replaced mixed inch labels so wheels and tires line up across brands. The bead seat diameter is the anchor that keeps fit consistent. If you want a single link to keep handy, bookmark the ISO 5775-1 overview and Park Tool’s fit standards explainer. Those two pages answer size mismatches fast.