When some people look at a bicycle tire, they may think they are solid rubber instead of just a rubber shell with inner tubes inside. Actually, many modern bike tires do not have inner tubes at all. However, those that do are still quite popular for several important reasons.
First of all, tubes inside of bicycle tires can give a softer ride with less jarring and bouncing when the wheels run over something like debris or uneven ground. Also, inner tubes make it easier to repair the tire if it suffers any damage on the road. In most cases, it is the tubes that break or start to leak instead of any damage to the exterior rubber.
Tips for Inner Tubes on a Bicycle
Using bicycle tires with inner tubes inside makes it necessary to carry some sort of pump along with you in case there is a leak. Luckily, bicycle tire repair kits are very small and portable and you can even get a hand pump that neatly clips to the bicycle frame without getting in the way. On the other hand, if you ride a bike with no tubes and something goes wrong, you will need an entire new wheel to get moving again.
Inner tubes come in a vast array of sizes, strengths, and uses. Although the ones for bicycles are relatively standard, it is important to six make sure the valve is the correct size and in the appropriate place to match up with the rim.