Bicycle Inner Tubes From 12″ to 29″ and 700C: Planning a Wholesale Size Range

To plan a wholesale bicycle inner tube range, group your sizes by the ISO (ETRTO) rim diameter first, then choose the width range, the valve and the rubber for each group, and order at least 2,000 pieces per size. Inch names alone are not enough: two tubes both called "26-inch" can be made for different rims.

We supply butyl and natural rubber bicycle tubes from 12″ to 29″, plus 700C (700C sizes on request). This guide explains how to turn that range into a size list that matches the bikes your customers ride.

What decides whether a bicycle tube fits?

The rim diameter decides whether a tube can fit; the width decides how well it fits. In the ISO system, also used by ETRTO (the European Tyre and Rim Technical Organisation), a tyre marked 47-559 is 47 mm wide and sits on a rim with a 559 mm bead seat diameter.

Sheldon Brown's widely used tyre sizing reference explains why the second number matters: "The second ISO number is the critical one: it is the diameter of the bead seat of the rim, in mm." He adds: "Generally, if this number matches, the tire will fit onto the rim; if it doesn't match, the tire won't fit."

For a buyer, that means the first column of your tube list should be the rim diameter in millimetres, not the inch name.

Which inch sizes share a rim diameter, and which do not?

Several inch names point to the same rim, and some names that look alike point to different ones. These pairings come from Sheldon Brown's tables:

Source: Sheldon Brown, "Tire Sizing", checked 2026-11-07.

Two practical points follow:

• 700C and 29″ are one rim family (622 mm). The difference is width.
• A "26 × 1 3/8" tube and a "26 × 1.75" tube are not interchangeable, because 590 mm and 559 mm are different rims. The same applies to 20 × 1 3/8 (451) and 20 × 1.75 (406).

When a tyre name could mean more than one rim, ask your customer for the ISO number moulded on the sidewall, such as 37-590 or 47-559.

How do tube widths work?

A bicycle tube usually covers a range of tyre widths on one rim diameter. Schwalbe, for example, labels a tube as "No. 13AE for Tires size 47/65-559": one rim diameter (559 mm), widths from 47 to 65 mm.

Our catalogue lists each tube with one nominal width, for example 26 × 1.75 at 42 mm or 26 × 2.125 at 52 mm. Before you fix a line, tell us the tyre widths you need to cover on that rim, and we will confirm which tube we supply for them.

Which sizes do we supply?

Our current product page lists these bicycle tube sizes from the 2026 catalogues (partial list):

Source: zenyaretire.com bicycle inner tubes page, checked 2026-11-07.

700C tubes are available, with sizes on request. The rubber (butyl or natural) and the valve type are confirmed per size in the quotation. Where an inch name could match more than one rim, such as the 1 3/8 series, we confirm the ISO size for each line in the quotation.

Which valve should each line have?

Our bicycle tubes come with A/V (Schrader, the car-type valve), F/V (Presta, the slim French valve) or D/V (Dunlop) valves. The valve for each size is confirmed in the quotation.

Choose the valve from the rims in your market, not from the tube. If your customers' rims are drilled for one valve type, a tube with the other type may not suit them. Put the valve code on every order line, because the same size can come with different valves.

Butyl or natural rubber?

We supply both. For planning, the key rule is simple: for bicycle tubes, our minimum is 2,000 pieces per size, and it is not split by rubber type the way our motorcycle tube minimum is. Confirm the material and valve for each size in the quotation.

How to build the size list without guessing demand

We do not publish market shares for bicycle sizes, and we have none for your market. Build the list from your own sales and the bikes your customers ride:

1. Collect the ISO numbers from the tyres you already sell or see in repair work, for example 47-559, 40-622 or 54-406.
2. Group them by rim diameter (559, 622, 406 and so on). Each group is a candidate tube line.
3. Set the width range for each group and check it against the tube widths we list.
4. Choose the valve for each line from the rims in your market.
5. Choose butyl or natural rubber, if your customers prefer one.
6. Set the quantity: at least 2,000 pieces per size.

Example (quantities for illustration only): a dealer selling mainly kids' bikes and mountain bikes might start with 16 × 2.125, 20 × 2.125 and 26 × 2.125, at 2,000 pieces each, all with A/V valves. That is 6,000 tubes on three lines. If a 700C line is needed, send the ISO sizes and we will reply with what we can supply.

Several sizes can share one container, and each size still has to meet its own minimum.

Order terms

• MOQ: 2,000 pieces per size (bicycle tubes)
• Lead time: 20–30 days
• Payment: 30% deposit, balance before shipment
• Quotations valid for 15 days
• Packing: tubes in bags or cartons
• Prices: ex-factory or at Qingdao port. Sea freight is confirmed separately for each shipment.

FAQ

Is a 29-inch tube the same as a 700C tube?

They are made for the same rim diameter, 622 mm. Sheldon Brown calls "29 inch" "a marketing term for wide 622 mm ('700C') tires". What can differ is the width, so match the width range too.

Will a 26 × 1 3/8 tube fit a 26 × 1.95 mountain bike tyre?

Usually not. In Sheldon Brown's tables, 26 × 1 3/8 is listed at 590 mm and decimal 26-inch sizes such as 26 × 1.95 at 559 mm. Check the ISO number on the tyre.

What is your minimum order for bicycle inner tubes?

2,000 pieces per size. It is not counted separately for butyl and natural rubber. Several sizes can go in one container, and each size needs its own 2,000 pieces.

Do you supply 700C tubes?

Yes, 700C tubes are available, with sizes on request. Send the ISO sizes (for example 28-622 or 40-622) and the valve type, and we will confirm what we can supply.

Send us your tube list

Send each line as ISO size (or inch size with width), valve, rubber and quantity. We will confirm every line in one quotation. See our bicycle inner tubes page, or contact us.

Sources