Hello friends! I'm trying to get a replacement tube for my Schwinn Herald Elite - only thing is I don't have an inkling on how sizing works and what these numbers mean! Written on the tire is 700x26c, and the width of the tire itself is a little over an inch. What tube size should I be looking for based on this, and where are some good places to buy 'em?

Thanks much! :-)

The 700 refers to diameter, and you want it to match. The 26 refers to the nominal tire width.

Most tubes will be marked with a range of widths. Jenson USA has a Q Super Light 700C tube marked for 23-25 mm. I'd probably go that one. It'll stretch the extra 1 mm to 26.

Edit. Here's the link to what I was looking at: https://www.jensonusa.com/Q-Super-Light-700C-Tubes/

Just go to your bike shop and tell them what sized tyre you have. While you can get wider tyres, you'll probably find you're given a tyre rated for 700x23 - that's not an issue because the tyres will stretch quite happily (I run them in 700x28 tyres).

What?

When you look at tubes, there will generally be three numbers. You have a 700 diameter tire by 26mm width, so any tube that is set for a 700 diameter tire with a range that includes (or comes close to) 26 will work, i.e. 700x25-28. All manufacturers have slightly different ranges, just pick one and go with it, it is pretty hard to screw up. You can buy them anywhere you buy bike parts, you can buy them at most big box retailers, many hardware/sporting goods shops, or any number of places online.

Also make sure you have the correct stem for your wheels

You're obviously not familiar with British English (or, perhaps more accurately, Australian English), where they say the same thing about us spelling it tire

Actually, I am very familiar.

Read his post again.

Tyre = tire.

Tyre does not = tube.

Tyres don't stretch.

My bad. Thought you were bringing emphasis to an odd spelling.

At least it isn't as bad as my brother thinking tires were called "wheel covers"

Rim belts?

Yes, tubes are balloon like, a thorn resistant tube is asymmetrically thicker on the outer edge.

Don't you save a Bike shop ?

The 700C X26 is a rather odd size tire. If you want the tube to be easy to install, buy one that says fits 700C X 23-25 rather than 700C X 28-32. The smaller tube will expand to fit your 26 tire without any problem. I generally buy my tubes from Niagara Cycle where their name brand tubes start at $3.49 but you need to buy a couple to make paying the shipping worth it. You can find the same tubes on eBay for around $5 with shipping included like this one Q-Tubes Value Series Tube with 32mm Presta Valve: 700c x 18-25mm | eBay It's a brand I have used and will continue to buy in the future. BTW I HATE thorn proof tubes. Heavy and hard to work with. If I get a used bike for restoration, it is the first thing I throw away and replace. And yes, I live in tumbleweed and goathead country so thorn resistance is a consideration but I would much rather buy a tough tire than buy a thornproof monstrosity.

When it comes to replacing the tire in the future you will have a much better selection in the 700C by 25 or 28 and it will fit your existing rim.

Sounds great, thanks guys! I'm a total noob at biking so the clarification is a big help. :-)