dmikester1

I bought some new 26x1.5 smooth tires for my mountain bike. And I also got some 26x1.5-1.75 tubes. My current tires are 26x2.125. When I put the new tube partially inflated around my rim, there was a ton of slack! Like if I bunched it all together, it came off the rim more than an inch. Is this normal? Do I need to get different tubes? What gives?
Thanks
Mike

jimc101

So what happens when the tubes are fully inflated? The tubes you say you (26x1.5-1.75) have should be compatiable with 26x1.5 tires

FBinNY 

Tubes have the strength and properties of the toy balloons that clowns make animal figures out of. When you fill them they get longer and fatter and will keep doing so until they burst.

The tube is just an air bladder so it's meaningless ot consider it's inflated size compared to the rim. It's the tire that determines size, fit and shape and once stuffed into the tire the tube will expand until it fills all available space.

BTW- as a side note, I prefer tubes that are longer vs shorter (within the usable range). They stay stuffed well up in the tire while short ones, tend to pull down making a pain of themselves while mounting and increasing the risk of a pinch puncture. You've got a good thing there, so enjoy it until your next tube is on the shorter side and you see what I mean.

fietsbob

There may be Creases, in the tube, when installed in a smaller tire,
It wont cost much to get tubes for your chosen 1,5 width.

set the wider tires and tubes aside as a set.
for reinstalling for Dirt riding episodes.

Bianchigirll 

you put the tube on the rim first? I usually, and I think most people do too, put a bit of air in the tube to give it shape then put it in the tire. then starting att he valve I put both beads in the rim. then I work the side furtherest from me on to the rim, and then side closest. a x1.75 tube should be fine in a x1.5 tire.

Amesja

If a tube is a bit on the long side for the tire and one is afraid of it folding or doubling over inside the tire it is best to inflate the tire to about 80% of target pressure and seat the bead on the rim once. After this deflate it back down to the point where the tire is almost floppy again on the rim before filling it back up once more. This allows the tube to center itself better inside the jacket of the tire and any folds or creases will work themselves out. If it is REALLY bad you can do it once more just to be sure.

In motorcycle tube-type tires this makes a HUGE difference in the lifespan of tires -especially in off-road racing where tires have run with lower pressure and the larger tubes can really get kinked up inside the larger tires.

Unlike others who like to have a tube partially inflated, I completely squeeze ALL the air out of a bicycle tube by rolling it up flat with the stem removed before re-inserting the stem. They store better this way when they are spares and I find it is easier to stuff them flat all the way up inside the tire carcass before installing the tire on the rim. This does not work with moto tires as you must first seat one bead, install the tube and then lever the last bead carefully onto the tire. Once you have done a few dozen motorcycle tires doing bicycle tires is a cakewalk. I don't think I've ever pinched a bicycle tube during installation since the 1970's when I mastered motorcycle tires.

Burton

The dimensions you posted say the tube is the correct size so my bet is that you put too much air in it initially. Let some out and you`ll find the size magically decreases and will fit your rim.

LesterOfPuppets

Occasionally I get tubes that have too big a diameter. It's not pretty stuffing them in all wrinkly, but I never had problems once I got 'em in the tire and made sure they weren't pinched under the bead.

I'm glad I haven't had a bad one in a while. I had a bad rash of them in the early aughts. All 700c/27" tubes, though.

dmikester1

Wow, thanks for all the tips guys. I was planning on putting it in the tire first, but I just put it around the rim to see what it would look like and was just surprised by all the slack. Glad to hear that is not problem. I will proceed with putting on my new street tires and tubes! Thanks again!
Mike