MTB Inner Tubes Black Friday: deals by size

A mountain bike inner tube during Black Friday is chosen with three measurements: the wheel diameter, 26, 27.5 or 29 inches, the tyre width, and the valve accepted by the rim. The thickness then follows your use, from the lightweight cross-country tube to the reinforced downhill tube. With promotions at Vélo-Store throughout November, the page also covers latex, TPU, and workshop bundles.

The three measurements to take before ordering

First, the diameter: this is marked on the side of the tyre, in inches or in ETRTO size, where 559 signifies 26 inches, 584 for 27.5, and 622 for 29. Next, the width: the inner tube specifies a range, and the width of your tyre must fit within it. Tyres of 2.6 inches and above require a wide tube, such as the Koloss by Hutchinson in 2.30 to 2.85 or the Fat Plus from Maxxis. Finally, the valve: Presta or Schrader depending on the rim's drilling, with a sufficient length to reach the pump fitting, either 40 or 48 mm depending on the models.

Thickness and material: from cross-country to downhill

A thin tube lightens the wheel, while a thick wall is better at resisting pinch flats against the rim. At Maxxis, the thickness ranges from 0.45 mm for the FlyWeight to 1.2 mm for the Downhill. Latex, being more flexible, is reserved for cross-country and needs to be reinflated before each ride. TPU provides very compact tubes, making them easy to slip into a bag. Tubes pre-filled with sealant, from Slime or Hutchinson, seal minor punctures caused by thorns.

Discounted tubes: compare by size and valve

With equal diameter and width, look at the quantity: a single tube, a pair, or a lot of fifty intended for the workshop, and compare the crossed-out price to the tube's price before judging the discount. Then compare the type and length of the valve, the inclusion of a removable core, useful for injecting preventative sealant, along with the thickness and material. Some products are not simple tubes: the Schwalbe ProCore kit combines tubes, tubeless rim strips, and sealant to create a dual-tube system.

Tyres, wheels, and related pages

The page MTB inner tubes covers sizes, valves, and repairs throughout the year on the trail. A worn tyre multiplies punctures: check out the MTB tyres on Black Friday, and MTB wheels if the rim strip is damaged. The MTB wheels and tyres promotion groups these categories together; for other bikes, see the tubes for road or all-round usage. An old reference may be found in the clearance section, while a recent tube can be among the new arrivals.

The brands of MTB tubes in the promotion

Hutchinson offers its classic tubes along with the reinforced Koloss, featuring a 48 mm valve, and the Protect’Air with preventative sealant.

Schwalbe provides, in addition to its size-numbered tubes, the Aerothan SV21FE for tyres sized 27.5 x 2.40 to 3.00, made from a material designed to prevent sudden air loss, as well as the ProCore kit.

Maxxis offers its MTB tubes in different thicknesses: FlyWeight, Ultralight, Welter Weight, Freeride, and Downhill, with a Fat Plus version for wide tyres.

Vittoria sells standard MTB tubes and a Competition latex tube in sizes 29 x 1.70 to 2.3.

Tubolito includes an NFC chip without battery in its PSENS MTB tube: a smartphone equipped with the app, when brought close to the chip, reads the pressure.

Frequently asked questions

Will a 29-inch tube fit in a 27.5-inch tyre?

No, the diameters are different: 622 mm on one side, 584 on the other. A tube that's too large folds inside the tyre and risks pinching. Always take the exact diameter of the wheel.

What tube for a tyre of 2.6 inches or more?

A tube with a width range that includes that of the tyre, often labelled as Plus or for wide tyres. A tube that's too narrow stretches, thins out, and punctures more easily.

Does a puncture-proof sealant tube prevent all punctures?

No. The sealant seals small punctures, like those caused by thorns, but not a clean cut or a pinch against the rim. Pressure remains the first measure against punctures.

Is Black Friday the time to buy a lot of tubes?

The peak time is the Friday after Thanksgiving; at Vélo-Store, the discounts on MTB tubes, however, extend over the entire month of November. A lot is only worthwhile if several bikes share the same size, valve, and thickness: then consider it in terms of the number of tubes.

Is latex suitable for an electric mountain bike?

This is not its intended use: latex aims for lightness in cross-country. For a heavier electric mountain bike, prefer a thick or reinforced tube of the correct size.