Do All Bike Tires Have Tubes? [Complete Guide for Users]

All Bike Tires
Table of Contents

Tubed tires offer plenty of advantages, regardless of their old-school status. However, do all bike tires have tubes? Read on to find out if you can use mounting tubeless tires on your favourite bike model.

Regardless of the advancement in bike technology, universal system tubeless tires are still widely popular. But do all road bikes have tubes in the tires? In this quick post, we look at different bike tire types and whether or not they can use tubes.

Do All Bike Tires Have Tubes?

multiple bikes all lined up

Tubes are a common feature with most bicycle tires because of their many advantages. But not all bike tires have tubes. This explains the reason for clinchers, tubular, and tubeless types of tires on the market.

Some of the benefits of having a tubeless setup for bike wheels include:

  • It is a lot easier to fix tires that have tubes, especially if you have a flat on the road. You donā€™t have to mess with sealant or bother about creating a perfect seal.
  • It is easy to set up tubes. With a bit of practice, you can have them up and running in a matter of minutes.
  • Tubes can work with just about any tire and rim. Even rims and tires that are tubeless compatible donā€™t require any adjustments to work with tubes.

In a nutshell, there is something to be said for tubed tires. For one, there are widely common among all types of cyclists. Their popularity is an indication that they are generally considered great options for bikes.

More: Why Does My Bike Tire Keep Going Flat?

Do Dirt Bike Tires Have Tubes?

Dirt Bike Tires

Modern engineering makes tubes nearly irrelevant when it comes to dirt bike wheels. However, dirt bikes need tires that can take a beating, and thatā€™s where the rugged capabilities of tubes come into play.

Tubed tires can handle all the punishment your wheels go through as you ride at high speeds with your wheels smacking against rocks.

Do Mountain Bike Tires Have Tubes?

Mountain Bike Tires

Yes, some trek bike tire models are available with tubes while some are tubeless. Although the choice of bike tire you choose ultimately depends on your preference, tubed tires for mountain bicycles are usually more affordable than tubeless models.

On the other hand, tubeless models are your best bet if you are looking to climb faster and minimize downtime.

More: Maxxis Ardent Review: Is It Worth It?

Do Road Bike Tires Have Tubes?

Yes, most road bike tires have tubes. However, like other types of tires, some come without inner tubes.

Pinch flats are punctures are less common on the road because there are fewer sharp thorns. This makes tubed tires better for road cycling.

Can You Put a Tube In a Tubeless Bike Tire?

It is possible to tube a tubeless tire, but first, you need to remove the valve. To do this, unscrew the retaining nut and push the valve completely into the rim. This will make it easier to pull out the valve.

Next, place the tube in the rim just like you would do with a regular tire. Once the tire bead is over the rim, you can inflate the tube.

More: How Much Should Bike Tire Pressure Be?

Do I Need a New Bike Tire or Just a Tube?

New Bike Tire

Bike tires are consumables, and youā€™ll go through them rather quickly if you ride regularly. You need to check them to know when they are due for a replacement to avoid crashes and inconvenient flats.

Here are some of the common ways to know when itā€™s time to get new tubes or to completely replace the tires.

When to Get a New Bike Tire

  • The tread is worn: Itā€™s time for new tires if the casing on your traditional bike tires starts to show. On general-purpose or trek bike tires, you will know a worn tread by the almost absent knobs.
  • You have frequent flats: While flats are unavoidable with bikes, there is something wrong with your tires if you suddenly begin to experience increased flats. Perhaps the thread is too thin to protect the tubes or there are holes in the tires. In any case, you should be looking to replace your tires if you have constant flats.
  • Cracks in the rubber: Cracks can start to show in an old bikeā€™s tire thatā€™s due for a replacement. The rubber will become brittle and the casing or sidewall will rot and become delaminated.

This happens mostly with bikes that have been stored for a long time without riding. The tread may still be okay but if the rubber shows signs of losing strength and breaking down, you should replace the tire.

  • Deformities or bulges: Bulges, deformities, or ā€œbubblesā€ on the sidewall or other spots on the tires are indications that you need to get tubular tires. The layers of the tires are separated, causing a structural deformity. This can lead to a catastrophic failure if you continue riding on the tires.

Also, you could replace your tires to improve handling, even when the tires are new and in good order.

For example, you may want to accelerate faster, corner quickly, and climb effortlessly with a conventional bike that comes with heavy tires. The best way to do that is to upgrade to lighter types of tires that are specially built for faster riding.

More: Clincher vs Tubular: Which Is Better?

When to Change the Tube

Repetitive flats are frustrating. Plus, they can lead to rim damage and can increase the chances of a crash.

For these reasons, it is a good idea to change your tubes when they can no longer hold air or every time you replace the tires.

A general rule of thumb is to change the tubes after two to four years of rigorous riding. More specifically, you can use the suggested average mileage below to know when to replace inner tubes for different bike tires:

  • Mountain bike tires ā€“ 1,000 to 2,000 miles
  • Road bike tires ā€“ 2,000 to 3,000 miles
  • Hybrid bike tires ā€“ 2,000 to 3,000 miles
  • Puncture-resistant tires ā€“ up to 5,000 miles

Conclusion

So, do all bikes have a tubeless system? Yes, most bicycles or traditional road bikes have tubeless ready wheels. Tubes offer plenty of advantages, making them the preferred option for most cyclists.

The inner tubes for mountain bikes or any type of bike have tire levers and tire beads that are bound within a tubeless sealant for maximum efficiency. Mountain bikers carry tubeless conversion kit to check the tire pressure during riding. Get puncture protection from a flat tire and appropriate wheel diameter measurement for your tubeless systems.

About The Author

daniel in queenstown with mountain bike

Want To Receive Exclusive Offers, Tips & Freebies?