Most avid cyclists—whether mountain biking, commuting, road biking, or gravel biking—have punctured a tube or run into a flat tire somewhere on the road or trail. Carrying a spare tube—and knowing how to change out a damaged one—is an important part of bike safety and maintenance. These are our picks for the best bike tubes in a variety of sizes and for different styles of riding. Before you buy, make sure you know what type of valve your wheels are compatible with, as well as the dimensions of your tires.
10 Best Bike Tubes
What to Consider
Valve Type and Length
Valves come in two different types—Presta and Schrader—and varying lengths. Presta is more common, so we’ve listed more of those options. Presta valves are longer and thinner, with a screw at the top that you can adjust when you inflate them. Schrader valves are shorter and wider, and look more like car tire valves.
Make sure you know which one your bike is compatible with before purchasing. The wider Schrader valve won’t fit through a wheel rim built for a Presta, and a Presta is too narrow to fit tightly in a Schrader hole.
Sizing of Tube
This can be confusing as there are a lot of metrics and numbers to keep track of. Be sure to read all widths and diameters, and remember there are several ways of measuring (650b or 700c versus 27.5- or 29-inch models). Know what metric you’re using so you don’t wind up on the side of the road with a tube that’s the wrong size for your tire.
Road bike and gravel bike wheels will usually be listed as 700c, so you’ll need 700c tubes. Conversely, mountain bike and commuter bike wheels are typically referenced in inches. Common sizes include 26-, 27.5- (also listed as 650b), or 29-inch wheels.
To make it even more confusing, 27.5-inch wheels are the same diameter as 650b, and 29-inch wheels are about the same size as 700c, though they’re usually wider, so it’s harder to use that measurement interchangeably.
Material
Bike tubes come in a few different materials. The material or materials used will impact price, durability, and weight. Butyl rubber tubes are the most common and most affordable. They’re a bit heavier than latex, but also easier to repair.
Latex tubes are lighter and can be more puncture-resistant than rubber tubes, and the material creates less friction against the tire itself, so you’ll have more efficiency during long rides or races. It’s important to note that latex is more porous, so these can leak more air and you will have to inflate the tubes more frequently.
How We Evaluated
We looked at the different types of bikes, sizing, and riding, then narrowed down the categories to find the best options at a variety of price points and for different intended uses. We checked with bike shops, road cyclists, mountain bike riders, and casual bike commuters for their recommendations, then chose our options based on first-person use, specs, and reviews. There are a variety of sizes, weights, price points, and materials, and purposes in our picks.
1
Best Overall Road Tube
Latex Road Tube
Key Specs
- Size: 700c
- Valve type: Presta
- Material: Latex
This tube may be pricey, but if you’re looking for a lightweight latex tube that’s easier to replace than similar models, it’s well worth the cost. This model comes with a removable valve core, which allows you to put your own sealant inside the tube. Remember that latex tubes are more porous than rubber, so always check your tire pressure before leaving on a ride.
- Durable
- Easy to replace
- Removable valve core
- Need to inflate more frequently
- Expensive
2
Most Durable Mountain Bike Tube
SV21 Bicycle Tube
Key Specs
- Size: 27.5 inches
- Valve type: Presta
- Material: Butyl rubber
Schwalbe tires come in a variety of sizes and dimensions, and are both durable and puncture-resistant on the trail. These tubes are made with a higher-quality rubber than some more bargain-oriented models, though they’re still available for a reasonable price at big-box stores and outlets.
We love these tubes’ resistance to both thorns and pinch punctures, and the overall tough feel of the tubes gives us confidence in their durability. These have a shorter Presta valve (32-40 millimeters) and a removable valve core.
- Thorn resistance and overall durability
- Removable valve core
- Wide size variety from the brand
- Slightly heavier than average
3
Best Spare Gravel Tube
Tubo-CX Gravel Tube
Key Specs
- Size: 700c
- Valve type: Presta
- Material: Rubber
These compact bike tubes roll up and fit nicely in a jersey pocket or small frame bag. They are made for 700c tires with widths between 30 and 40 millimeters and work equally well with rim brakes or disc brakes. These weigh a scant 54 grams (1.9 ounces) and are easy to swap out in the middle of a long ride. They have a 42-millimeter valve stem, are easy to patch, and you can ride the repaired tubes with as few issues as a non-repaired tube.
4
Best Do-it-All Bike Tube
Schrader Tube 700c
Key Specs
- Size: 700c
- Valve type: Schrader
- Material: Rubber
Keep one of these reasonably priced, convenient bike tubes in your pack for all your gravel riding or road bike tire needs. These medium-width rubber tubes are easy to replace, and come with a less-common Schrader valve that can be harder to find on the fly.
Co-op Cycles makes their inner tubes in a variety of sizes (and with Presta valves, as well), so they’re a good option no matter what size wheel you’re riding. These weigh 145 grams—approximately 5 ounces—each, so they are slightly heavier than other tubes.
- Schrader valves aren’t easily found in stores
- Durable
- Easy to repair and replace
- Slightly heavier than average
5
Best Innovative Tube Material
Smartube Presta Valve Tube
Key Specs
- Size: 29 inches or 700c
- Valve type: Presta
- Material: Polyurethane
As of last year, these tubes are made of TPU (a type of polyurethane), a newer material for tubes that compares in efficiency and durability to traditional butyl rubber, according to Pirelli.
These compact tubes pack down to almost nothing, rolling up tightly to take up significantly less space in packs or jerseys than traditional tubes. These tubes are smooth and low-friction, but we recommend being careful to not pinch or damage them as they can be prone to puncturing during installation. They are available in 29-inch and 700c sizes, as well as a variety of widths.
- Durable TPU material
- High rolling efficiency
- Compact and lightweight
6
Best Budget Road Tube
Sunlight Premium Bicycle Tube
Key Specs
- Size: 700c
- Valve type: Presta
- Material: Rubber
These affordable tubes come in both one-pack and two-pack options and have fairly standard dimensions that fit most mid-range bike wheels.
They have a 32-millimeter Presta valve with a removable core, and offer solid quality at a wallet-friendly price, earning a 4.5/5-star average rating from nearly 800 reviewers. If you want more name-brand tubes as your main riders, these are a good option to keep as a spare in your repair kit.
- Affordable
- Comes in a two-pack
- Removable valve core
- Not as long-lasting as other models
7
Best Lightweight Road Tube
Road Superlight Presta Tube
Key Specs
- Size: 700c
- Valve type: Presta
- Material: Butyl rubber
These lightweight road tubes manage to be high-quality, long-lasting, and affordable. The rubber tubes come in five convenient combinations of Presta valve lengths (from 40 to 60 millimeters) and three different widths to fit a variety of 700c tires. They have a removable valve core for easy sealant application, and make a good main riding tube, as well as a convenient spare.
- Variety of sizes
- Removable valve core
- Lightweight and durable
- Can be slightly harder to switch out than other models
8
Best Race Day Tube
S.C. Latex Tube
Key Specs
- Size: 700c
- Valve type: Presta
- Material: Latex
Look no further for lightweight, low-rolling-resistance tubes for your next race. These latex tubes are incredibly durable and puncture-resistant while still clocking in at just around 3 ounces.
As with all latex tubes, don’t forget to inflate before the race, as the porous nature of latex means they can lose air if they sit for too long. These have a 47.5-millimeter Presta valve and are super flexible and smooth.
- Reasonably priced
- Low rolling resistance
- Lightweight
- Loses air faster than rubber
9
Best Fat Bike Tube
Ultra Light Fat Tube
Key Specs
- Size: 26 inches
- Valve type: Presta
- Material: Butyl rubber
Surly’s top-of-the-line fat bike tube will hit your wallet hard, but you can bet you won’t have to replace it anytime soon. These burly rubber tubes are lightweight and incredibly rugged, fitting up to a 4.7-inch tire. These weigh 310 grams (10.9 ounces) each, have a short valve length (32-40 millimeters), and have a removable valve core.
Plus, Surly has fantastic customer service and warranty options for all of their bikes and accessories.
- Lightweight for a fat bike tube
- Durable
- Fits tires up to 4.7 inches
10
Best Budget Fat Bike Tube
Fat Bike Tube
Key Specs
- Size: 26 inches
- Valve type: Schrader
- Material: Rubber
These beefy tubes weigh in at 530 grams each and fit wheels with a 26-inch measurement and up to a 4.5-inch width. These are a generic branded tube, but have proven durability—earning a 4.6/5-star average rating from customers—and are made of a thick, puncture-resistant rubber.
We like the threaded stem, which helps reduce the likelihood of a pinch puncture, as well as keeping the tube in place.
- Thick tubes
- Durable and puncture-resistant
- Affordable
- Sealant can be hard to put in
- Harder to replace than other models
Maggie Slepian
Maggie Slepian is a full-time freelance writer in the outdoor industry and has tested gear professionally for almost ten years—she is an avid backpacker, trail runner, bikepacker, and horseback rider and has thru-hiked thousands of miles on the Appalachian, Colorado, and Ouachita trails, along with backcountry travel on terrain including coastal trails, the desert, and high alpine peaks.
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