BMX inner tubes, 20 inch, Presta or Schrader
A BMX inner tube is chosen on three criteria: the rim diameter (406 for most 20-inch wheels, 451 for 1-1/8 and 1-3/8 sizes, 507 for cruisers), the tyre width, then the valve, Presta or Schrader, depending on the valve hole in your rim and on your pump.
Why an inner tube designed for BMX?
Landings from jumps, track rollers and street steps crush the tyre against the rim: the tube has to withstand these repeated impacts without adding weight to the wheel. BMX tubes come in standard versions and in lightweight versions for racing. They are also made in the small diameters of kids' BMX bikes and in multipacks for clubs.
Diameter and width: reading your tube size
The diameter must match the rim exactly: a 406 tube will not go into a 451 wheel, even though both are called 20 inch. The width, on the other hand, covers a range, for example 1.75 to 2.125 inches: check that the width of your tyre, printed on its sidewall, falls within it. Small beginner BMX bikes run on 16 or 18 inch, which need their own tubes.
Presta or Schrader valve?
The Schrader valve is the one used on cars: robust, it can be inflated at a service station and is often found on freestyle and kids' BMX bikes. The Presta valve, slimmer, needs a narrower valve hole in the rim and is popular on race wheels. Its length, 40 or 60 mm, is chosen according to the rim depth. A valve with a removable core makes it easier to add sealant.
Avoiding pinch flats
The typical BMX puncture leaves two small parallel slits: the tube has been pinched between the tyre and the rim on impact. Inflate within the range shown on the tyre, check that the rim tape properly covers the spoke holes and, when fitting, inflate the tube slightly before slipping it into the tyre so that it does not get trapped under the bead.
BMX tyres, wheels and pumps
To replace the tyre as well, see BMX tyres; the valve has to fit through the rim of your BMX wheels. Pumps, patches and tyre levers are in BMX pumps and accessories.
BMX inner tube brands
Tubolito makes ultralight tubes, including the S-Tubo, which on its own covers tyres from 20 x 1.5 to 20 x 2.5, with a Presta or Schrader valve.
Odyssey BMX offers 16 and 18-inch tubes, in widths from 1.75 to 2.125, for kids' BMX bikes.
Maxxis fits its Welter Weight with a Presta valve with a removable core.
Vittoria, an Italian tyre manufacturer, completes the page with an Ultralight tube.
BMX inner tubes on sale
BMX clearance gathers end-of-line products, and new arrivals the latest additions. A spare tube in your bag is useful all year round: order it with your tyres during the sales.
Frequently asked questions
What size inner tube for a 20-inch BMX?
Read the tyre sidewall: 20 x 1.75 or 20 x 2.10 needs a 406 tube of the matching width, 20 x 1-3/8 a 451 tube. Then choose the valve that fits through your rim.
Can you fit a Presta valve in a rim drilled for Schrader?
Yes, with an adapter grommet that fills the gap around the valve and stops it moving. The reverse means drilling out the rim, which is not always possible.
Should you go tubeless on a BMX?
In race, tubeless-ready tyres exist and remove the risk of pinch flats, but they need a compatible rim. For freestyle and everyday riding, the inner tube remains the easiest solution to repair.
How do you fix a BMX inner tube?
Find the hole by inflating the tube, sand the area, apply a patch with its glue and let it dry before refitting. Check the inside of the tyre: a thorn still stuck in it would puncture the tube straight away.
How often should you change your inner tube?
There is no set lifespan. Replace it when repairs start to pile up, when the valve leaks or when it goes flat from one day to the next with no visible hole.
