Road Tubes & Accessories

Think about where and how you ride: butyl tubes are the reliable choice for everyday road riding and commuting, with options like the Continental Race 28 offering durable butyl performance and common pressure ranges around 100–120 psi and lifespans of 1,000–3,000 miles. Latex gives a suppler, race-oriented feel but needs more frequent air top-ups, while TPU tubes shave weight (50–70% lighter than butyl) and work well on gravel or mixed terrain.

Match the tube to the tire’s printed size or its ETRTO spec so the bead seat diameter aligns, for example a 700x25c corresponds to an ETRTO like 622-25. Also confirm the tube width range for your tire since road sizes typically span 700x23c to 700x32c, and consider oversized or folding beads if you have a tight rim.

Presta valves are the standard for high-pressure road setups and can handle pressures up to about 160 psi, making them a better fit for narrow road rims. Schrader valves still work for compatibility with some pumps and frames, but check your rim and pump before choosing.

Yes, tubeless conversion kits let you run compatible road rims without inner tubes, and CO2 inflators are commonly used for quick inflation during installs. If you prefer to keep tubes, tire liners add a layer of protection, and TPU tubes themselves have shown 2–3x better puncture resistance compared to many butyl options.

You can expect noticeable savings: TPU tubes can weigh around 50g or less, with ultralight models like Schwalbe Aerothan down near 35g, while typical butyl tubes range up toward 150g. Latex offers a middle ground for performance gains but sacrifices some air retention, so pick based on whether weight or longevity matters more to your riding.