SCHWALBE Tube 26x1.00/1.50 FV 40mm (25/40-559) 120g

The bike inner tube is made mainly of butyl rubber. Butyl is a very elastic and airtight type of synthetic rubber. As with tires, additional additives are needed to create the rubber compound. The quality of the inner tube can vary considerably depending on the composition of the rubber. For example, Schwalbe tubes have extremely high air stability and elasticity. This high elasticity makes it possible to cover a wide range of different tyre sizes.

There is a difference between hot-produced inner tubes and autoclave inner tubes. In-mould curing improves the uniformity of wall thickness, thereby reducing weight and improving air stability. For this reason, autoclave inner tubes, which are easier to produce, have become less common in recent years. Schwalbe inner tubes have always been produced by a thermoforming process.

Each inner tube also needs a valve that is connected to the tube during the vulcanization process.

In addition to the quality of the additives, the purity of the rubber compound is crucial to the quality of the inner tube. Before moulding, the base material is forced through seven filters under high pressure. All inner tubes are inserted and inflated into the mould for vulcanisation. Only this guarantees uniform wall thickness and high air stability.

All tubes are inflated and tested for air stability for 24 hours. Then each inner tube is carefully inspected visually. Schwalbe inner tubes have been appreciated by German bicycle dealers for their high reliability for many years.

The inner tube fits a large number of tyres due to its high elasticity and quality. The inner tube #17 works with tyres from 28 to 47 mm wide - a great advantage for in-store storage. At the same time, it is a testament to the quality of the inner tube.

All valves are nickel plated and threaded. The valve core is always replaceable. Schwalbe inner tubes with a classic cyclo valve can be pressure tested because they have a high-pressure valve core.

Every Schwalbe inner tube is 100% recyclable. We can use recycled material in the production of new inner tubes without loss of quality. We have developed a special devulcanization process in our factory and it has been proving very successful for several years. Currently every standard inner tube from Schwalbe consists of 20% recycled old inner tubes.

Taking all transport routes into account, the energy balance is positive. Only a fifth of the energy is used compared to the production of new butyl.

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF LATEX INNER TUBES?
Souls made from latex are more flexible than conventional butyl souls. This makes them slightly lighter. Their biggest advantage is their high level of protection against puncture. The highly elastic latex material is very difficult to puncture.

The disadvantage lies in the inferior stability of the air. A latex inner tube tire must be inflated to the correct pressure before each ride. This explains why latex inner tubes are not suitable for everyday use.

In addition, latex inner tubes are very soft and sensitive to oil, daylight, heat and uneven expansion. The inner tube must be replaced every time the tire is changed.

As these characteristics lead to many problems, latex inner tubes are not in our range.