Inner tube Black Friday: TPU, butyl discounts

Inner tube during Black Friday: read the tire sidewall

On the sidewall, the ETRTO rating combines two numbers, the width followed by the rim diameter in millimeters: a 37-622 fits on a 700 wheel, like a 29-inch mountain bike tire. The diameter of the tube must be the same, and its width range should cover that of the tire: a tube marked 47/57-584 fits a 27.5-inch tire that is 47 to 57 mm wide. The old notations, 26 x 1.75 or 700 x 28C, convert with this rating. If you’re changing the tire too, the tires during Black Friday are grouped separately.

Presta, Schrader or Dunlop valve: type and length

Thin and with a locking nut, the Presta is found on almost all sports bikes; the Schrader, the same as a car's, on city and children's bikes; the Dunlop, on Dutch bikes and some vintage bikes. The hole in the rim determines: a Presta floats in a hole meant for Schrader. For length, 40 mm is enough on a low rim; on a high rim of 40 mm or more, choose a valve of 60 or 80 mm to be able to inflate.

Butyl, latex, TPU or puncture-resistant: what to compare?

Butyl remains the most common material, waterproof and economical. More flexible, latex rolls more easily but loses air faster: pump it up before every ride. TPU, a thermoplastic material, allows for very lightweight and compact tubes, easy to keep in a pocket. To prevent punctures, there are two solutions: a thicker wall, called reinforced, or an inner liquid that seals small perforations. Compare two offers with the same material, size range, and valve.

Discount tubes: bring the strikethrough price down to a tube

Many tubes are sold in pairs, fours, or in boxes of fifty, a format designed for workshops and clubs. Facing a strikethrough price, divide the displayed price by the number of tubes in the lot and check that the valve and its length are the same as in the unit offer you are comparing. Depending on your activity, check the road inner tubes during Black Friday or the mountain bike inner tubes. Year-round, the bike inner tubes page details every format, and the clearance includes replaced references.

Operation tubes: brands

Hutchinson offers, alongside its reinforced Koloss tubes, 80 mm Presta valve tubes for high rims and blister packs of two Schrader valve tubes.

Lineatube offers open tubes in an electric bike version, with all-aluminium valves, both Presta and Schrader.

Continental covers extremes: Compact tubes for small wheels, including Dunlop valves in 12 1/2 and 14-inch, Downhill tubes for 26-inch tires from 2.30 to 2.7.

Michelin equips its Protek Max tube with a liquid that seals small perforations, alongside its Aircomp and Air Stop ranges.

Pirelli has chosen TPU for its SmarTUBE, available in P Zero for the road, Scorpion for mountain biking, and Cinturato, reinforced, for gravel and long distances.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know which inner tube to buy?

Check the ETRTO rating on the tire sidewall, then the type of valve accepted by the rim. Choose a tube with the same diameter and a width range that includes that of your tire.

Can a TPU tube be repaired like any other?

It can be repaired, but not with a standard patch, which does not adhere to this material: you need adhesive patches designed for TPU, often sold by the tube manufacturer.

What inner tube for an electric bike?

A tube of the same dimensions as the tire, like on any bike, preferably thicker or reinforced, since the weight and torque of the motor place more demand on the rear wheel. Some ranges are specifically designed for this use.

Why is my tube deflating without a puncture?

A loose valve core, a rim tape that leaves spoke holes uncovered, or a latex tube, which is naturally porous, can cause slow air loss. Check the core with a bit of soapy water before changing the tube.

When to stock up on inner tubes during Black Friday?

The Black Friday discounts at Vélo-Store on inner tubes last throughout November, even though the operation is still linked to the Friday after Thanksgiving. One tube under the saddle of each bike and one spare at home is enough; kept in their box, dry and away from a heat source, they last a long time.