Which Inner Tube for a 26×1.5 Tire

Gary Wojton is using 26” tires that need 1.5” inner tubes; he is finding it difficult to get his hands on the correct size of inner tubes. He can buy 26 x 1.75 and wants to know if they will do?

Question:
My bike tire says 26” x 1.5” yet all I can find, even with
universal tubes, is 26” x 1.75”….can I use these?

Hi Gary,

If you are very careful you can get away with using the larger inner tube, it is not ideal, but can be done. When you fit the tire make sure that no part of the inner tube is trapped between the bead of the tire and the rim. If this happens, then when you blow up the tire the inner tube will both blow the tire off the rim or split and puncture. By squeezing the tire bead together you can check that the tube isn’t trapped between tire and rim.

It is always better to use the correct inner tube size, or smaller as the tube is rubber it will stretch to fill the space in the tire. As I said before; a bigger one can be used, but be very careful!

Good luck Gary.