One thing that you can do nowadays to stay in good shape both physically and mentally is to spend time in nature. But what if you live away from a close-by park or forest. Well getting there can benefit you too if you decide to use a bicycle. Cycling can also be beneficial in the city too but it is especially beneficial when done in nature. Be it on a beaten path or on the smooth asphalt, cycling helps improve your immune system and build muscle.
The latter is especial the case if you do a lot of uphill riding. Cycling on a regular basis also helps reduce the risk of heart disease as well as cancer. This low impact form of exercise is also good for your lungs and can help you sleep better. What makes this possible is humanity's greatest invention ever – the wheel. This is why you should pay attention to your bicycle's tires or rather what's in them - the inner tubes.
What to Consider in an Inner Tube
Size
First and foremost you should focus on the diameter and width of a bike inner tube as it needs to comply with the those of the tire. You should check your bicycle's specifications as well as the sidewalls of the tires for this. A proper tube for bicycles should fit well so that when you inflate it, it doesn't affect your riding negatively. As long as the dimension of the tube match those of the tire you're all good.
Material
The material cycle tubes are made of can greatly impact their lifespan as well as performance. There are inner cycle tubes made of latex and butyl. A bike inner tube made of latex is more flexible and thus offers better performance than one made of butyl. Butyl tubes are the industry standard when it comes to bicycles since they are more affordable and widely available. Although butyl rubber inner tubes are also quite strong and lighter than latex ones they are not as durable and can deform more easily.
Valve Type
The type of valve you get with an inner tube for bicycles is going to determine the type of adapter or air pump you'll need to use to inflate the tires. There are two types of valves – Schrader and Presta. A Presta valve is narrow and long while a Schrader valve is short and wide. Presta valves are better if you need high-pressure tires while Schrader valves are better for lower pressure tires. Lower pressure tires are found on mountain bikes while higher pressure tires are found on touring or street bicycles. Inner tubes with Presta valves are easier to pump than those with Schrader valves but Schrader valves are easier to get to since their core is easy to remove.
Protection
While nothing is 100% safe, having puncture protection reduces the chances of your tires getting a puncture. Puncture protection comes in the form of a sealant and a liner. A sealant is used with inner cycle tubes with removable cores since it can be poured into the tube and quickly seal even the smallest of holes. Liners are used between the tube and tire and this adds an additional layer that can prevent a puncture from happening or reduce its effect on the tube.
Tips for Proper Tire Inflation
Check
Having a properly inflated tire means one that has the right amount of air suitable for the road ahead. This involves checking your tire pressure before every trip. This way you ensure that your bicycle's tires are always fit for the terrain you want to explore with it.
Weight
To inflate your tires properly you should put into consideration your weight too. You don't have to calculate anything, just sit on your bicycle and look at the tires. Watch how they compress and how much they deform. The more they deform the more air they need. But you also don't want them to be hard as a rock. Usually, for every 10 kg, you should add about 0.2 or 0.3 bar of pressure.
Terrain
The terrain on which you'll ride your bicycle also determines how much air needs to be in the tires. Smooth terrain can be ridden with more air in your tires. But when it comes to rocky terrain or a road with a lot of bumps softer tires are better since they allow for better grip. You can inflate your tires so that they support your weight well and if you come across rocky terrain, just deflate the tires so that they stick to the ground better.
Width
The width of your tires also determines how much air you'll need to push into them. Wider tires require more air as this as well as having them at a higher pressure equates to a more stable ride. Narrower tires require less pressure and having them filled with less air offers better traction and a more comfortable ride.