On the other hand, they’re much more fragile and more awkward to fit as they’re floppier than butyl tubes. the first is the width of the tire in millimeters and the second is the diameter of the tire in millimeters. There are many different types of inner tube available so it is important that you get the right tube for your bike and to suit the riding that you are doing. How would I choose the best inner tube for my tyres?

French size markings (e.g. 700 x 35C) give the approximate tire outer diameter (700 mm) and width (35 mm). The letter at the end indicates the inner diameter of the tire. In this case, C stands for 622 mm. French size markings are not used for all tire sizes, so, for example, it is not used for MTB sizes. 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. 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).Whether you have a city bike, touring bike, road bike, gravel bike or MTB: The tires affect the riding experience like no other bike component. The choice of tire not only determines how well the wheel grips the ground but also influences how easily and comfortably the bike rolls. Ideally, the tire combines such characteristics as maximum grip, high mileage, optimum rolling properties, low weight and reliable resistance to punctures. Sounds technical? The sum of these properties is tangible to every cyclist: as an optimum riding experience. At Schwalbe, we work to continually refine and improve this riding sensation – day in, day out. 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.

You would’ve thought that tire manufacturers could all just sit down together and come up with one simple system for classifying bike tires, wouldn’t you? Don’t worry if you haven’t done this before. It’s a real simple process and should take less than an hour. There is no industry-wide convention for tubeless tyre fitment and satisfactory results are mostly likely using parts made for use together such as Mavic’s UTS (Universal Tubeless System) tyres and rims. Nevertheless, tubeless-compatible tyres are generally available in the standard 29"/700C/622mmISO, 27.5"/650B/585mmISO and 26"/559mmISO formats. It is inadvisable to use non-tubeless tyres without an inner tube as there is a risk of tyre blow-off. Tubular tyres In Europe, 28 inches is a traditional size for touring bicycles. In many countries it is even the most frequent tire size used. In countries outside Europe the rim diameter of 622 mm is only rarely used. Bicycle travelers who want to buy spare tires for a 28-inch touring bicycle anywhere in the world, can tell you a thing or two about it. Tubeless tyres, as the name suggests, do away with an inner tube and, in its absence, are reliant on the shape and tightness of the tyre bead to ensure the tyre doesn’t blow off the rim at high inflation pressures; in a conventional clincher tyre, the inner tube keeps the bead securely located under the rim hook.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.