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An inner tube is an inflatable
Inner tubes were invented in the 1800s for use with pneumatic tires, as standard wheels at the time were not air-filled, making them uncomfortable to ride on. Over the years, inner tubes were manufactured in various colors beyond the typical black, including red, white, and gray. These colored inner tubes were often made from more natural rubber compared to the standard vulcanized black tubes, making them more flexible. Inner tubes were used in tires for cars, trucks, and bicycles, but from the 1950s to the 1970s, tubeless tires began to dominate for cars and trucks.
An inner tube is an inflatable torus
In geometry, a torus (: tori or toruses) is a surface of revolution generated by revolving a circle in three-dimensional space one full revolution about an axis that is coplanarity, coplanar with the circle. The main types of toruses inclu ...
that forms the interior of some pneumatic tires. The tube is inflated through a valve stem and fits inside the tire casing. The inflated inner tube provides structural support and suspension, while the outer tire offers grip and protects the more fragile tube.
Use
Nowadays, mostbicycle
A bicycle, also called a pedal cycle, bike, push-bike or cycle, is a human-powered transport, human-powered or motorized bicycle, motor-assisted, bicycle pedal, pedal-driven, single-track vehicle, with two bicycle wheel, wheels attached to a ...
tires use inner tubes. They are also used in items such as dolly carts, wheelbarrows, and many motorcycles
A motorcycle (motorbike, bike; uni (if one-wheeled); trike (if three-wheeled); quad (if four-wheeled)) is a lightweight private 1-to-2 passenger personal motor vehicle Steering, steered by a Motorcycle handlebar, handlebar from a saddle-style ...
. In the past, car tires used inner tubes, but most cars now use tubeless tires that hold air without an inner tube. Tubeless tires offer advantages, as they can operate at both low and high pressures without the risk of pinching or bursting, unlike tube tires. Large inner tubes are used for various recreational activities, such as flotation devices in tubing.
History
Inner tubes were invented in the 1800s for use with pneumatic tires, as standard wheels at the time were not air-filled, making them uncomfortable to ride on. Over the years, inner tubes were manufactured in various colors beyond the typical black, including red, white, and gray. These colored inner tubes were often made from more natural rubber compared to the standard vulcanized black tubes, making them more flexible. Inner tubes were used in tires for cars, trucks, and bicycles, but from the 1950s to the 1970s, tubeless tires began to dominate for cars and trucks.
Material
Inner tubes are typically made from a mix of natural and syntheticrubber
Rubber, also called India rubber, latex, Amazonian rubber, ''caucho'', or ''caoutchouc'', as initially produced, consists of polymers of the organic compound isoprene, with minor impurities of other organic compounds.
Types of polyisoprene ...
. Natural rubber is less prone to punctures and is often more pliable, while synthetic rubber is cheaper. Racing bikes often use inner tubes with a higher percentage of natural rubber compared to regular bikes. Some manufacturers have also developed other types of bike inner tubes, such as those made from latex and TPU.
Performance
Inner tubes generally make tires slower than tubeless versions due to the friction between the casing and the inner tube. Tubes are often lighter on average, as they can be made relatively thin. However, latex and TPU inner tubes are designed to be lighter and more comfortable to ride on. Bead tires, whether with an inner tube or tubeless, cannot be ridden flat, as the tire may separate from the rim. In contrast, tubular tires have the tubing sewn to the tire, allowing them to be ridden flat if punctured. Tubeless tires are reported to be more comfortable if properly installed.See also
* Tubeless tiresReferences
{{reflist Tires Bicycle parts Rubber products