Inner tube


An inner tube is rather similar to a balloon. It is inflated with a valve, and lies inside of the casing of the tire. They are used in motorcycles, bikes, cars, and trucks. They are now less common in most wheeled vehicles except bikes because of the benefits of having no tube, such as the ability to operate at low pressure, and at high pressure, without going flat.

Material

The tube is made out of a mix of natural and synthetic rubber. Natural rubber is less prone to punctures and is often more pliable, while synthetic rubber is cheaper. Often racing bikes will have a higher percentage of natural rubber than regular run-of-the-mill bikes.

Performance

Inner tubes will wear out over time. This makes them thinner, and more likely to burst. According to Dunlop, you should change the inner tubes every 6 months. Inner tubes also tend to be slower than tubeless tires because of the friction between the casing and the inner tube. Tires that use tubes are on average lighter, as the tube can be made relatively thin. As the tubing is sown to the tire, if punctured, the tire can still be ridden flat. They are reportedly more comfortable to use, if attached to the bicycle properly.

Famous Instances of Their Use