Valve extenders come in a range of sizes, types and even colours. These ones simply screw over the top of an open Presta valve, but you can also get ones that allow you to place the valve core at the top. Simon Bromley/Immediate Media As far as possible, then, use these columns to convert to ISO dimensions and then have nothing more to do with those old markings! If you are facing and should change the tires on your bike, it is important that you choose the right bicycle tire sizes for your bike wheels. Each tire size is very variable depending on the type of bicycle tire you want, and depending on what type of bike you have. In this article you will get a small guide on how to choose the right bicycle tire size for your bike. Table of bicycle tires sizes If the rim is not marked with its bead diameter you can read this from the tyre – it’s the one dimension they have in common.

Valve extenders screw onto the top of the Presta valve. Some are just hollow tubes, others include a valve at the top, which means that you need to remove the valve core from your inner tube before screwing on the extender. Nowadays almost all rims have hooked flanges (required to retain folding tyres) that will hang onto tyres up to three times their width. This increases the cushioning effect: you get more comfort out of the same tyre at the same pressure when you fit it to a narrow rim – yet it still rolls just as easily. The three-digit number after the dash is the more important. This is the bead diameter at which the tyre fits onto the rim.Table of bicycle tire sizes. The table allows you to convert between ETRTO, English-, French-and German targets, and rim circumference etc. ETRTO

Inner tubes are normally made of butyl rubber or Latex, they sit inside your tyre and are inflated with a pump, they sometimes puncture but are easily replaced. Inner tubes are simple but essential – unless you’re riding with tubeless tyres, you’ll always need an inner tube. Carrying spares is always a good idea, even if you are running tubeless, as a large slash or hole will not seal easily. Another reason not to exceed the 2.2 limit on road is that a more bulbous tyre can deflect side ways with a noticeable effect on control and road holding. Conversely, fitting a tyre of less than 1.4 times the rim section will result in a harsh ride and more rolling drag than a larger tyre at the same pressure. Tubeless tyres On the other hand, they’re much more fragile and more awkward to fit as they’re floppier than butyl tubes. As well as coming in pretty colours, latex inner tubes offer lower weight and rolling resistance than butyl inner tubes. They’re relatively expensive though and heat build-up can cause issues if you’re using rim brakes on long descents. Simon Bromley/Immediate Media Even worse, the same or very similar markings can sometimes be found on completely different sizes of tyre: 26×1½ and 26x1.5. It might be supposed that these two tyres are both notionally 26" diameter and one and a half inches in width, but 26×1½ is a whole inch bigger than 26×1.5.

If your wheels are even deeper than the longest valve you can find, you can buy valve extenders to add length to your valve. There’s a range of lengths available: Zipp for example makes extenders from 27mm up to 98mm long. Bigger tyres naturally require bigger inner tubes. On the left is a 700×32-47C inner tube, while the right is a 700×18-28C. Simon Bromley/Immediate Media For even more weight saving, latex tubes are significantly lighter than butyl tubes, plus there’s less friction against the tyre, resulting in lower rolling resistance. the first is the width of the tire in millimeters and the second is the diameter of the tire in millimeters.

Finance is subject to application, financial circumstances and borrowing history. Performance Cycling Limited FRN: 720557 trading as Tredz are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. We are a credit broker not a lender – credit is subject to status and affordability and is provided by Mitsubishi HC Capital UK PLC. Terms & Conditions Apply. In addition to the various international tire sizes are also available ETRTO list (European Tyre and Rim Organisation). It is precisely this list and these numbers say nothing about the diameter and width of your bicycle wheel, as described previously.

Table of bicycle tires sizes

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The former is ‘fractional’, the latter ‘decimal’, and as a rule decimal and fractional tyre sizes that look the same are not. The initial two-digit number is the tyre section and roughly indicates the tyre width. Its actual width is normally less, but varies according to how the tyre is designed and the width of rim to which it is fitted. But the height of the tyre usually corresponds quite closely to tyre section, so overall diameter approximately equals the bead diameter plus twice the section. How do you know what size tyres will fit your bike? It should be easy: buy exactly the same model of tyre as those already on the bike. Of course, this isn’t much help if identical tyres aren’t readily available, if you fancy something different or if you’re looking for replacements in unusual and hard-to-find sizes. All tyres are marked with a pressure. Sometimes this is an absolute maximum that nobody should need to exceed, or sometimes only a recommended maximum that may be exceeded by heavier riders (such as tandemists). That’s how the diameter and circumference (circ – equals distance rolled in one turn of the wheel) are calculated in the Tyre size table. These figures are useful for setting your cycle-computer and precisely calculating gears.Butyl rubber is the industry standard for common replacement inner tubes, offering a relatively cheap and readily available replacement product. Butyl is strong and resistant, and there are lightweight versions for those looking for weight savings - the Specialized Turbo range and Continental Supersonic tubes are popular versions. What are the differences between Latex and Butyl rubber tubes? Home> Buying Guide: Inner Tubes Our Guide to Buying: Inner Tubes What are Cycling Inner Tubes? In a nutshell