When it comes to bike parts, no spare is purchased more often than an inner tube. The most commonly used valve on these tubes is the Presta valve (SV). A tube with this distinctive valve is easy to identify – it's noticeably narrower than the other common valve types, the Dunlop (DV) and Schrader (AV). The Presta valve was invented by Frenchman Etienne Sclaverand toward the end of the 19th century. It is also called a French valve or Sclaverand valve. 

What Makes a Presta Valve Tube Unique?

This check valve was originally designed for road bike tubes because it can withstand pressures of up to 15 bar—more than any other valve type. Its narrower design means a Presta valve tube only needs a rim hole of 6.5 millimeters, which is about 25 percent smaller than the hole required for a Dunlop or Schrader valve. Presta valve tubes are also slightly lighter, which is especially important in road cycling where saving every gram improves performance. However, Presta valve tubes have long since expanded beyond road bikes and are now the most common type used on trekking, gravel, and mountain bikes.

Finding the Correct Size for Your Presta Valve Tube

To find the right bike tube, you'll need a few pieces of information to start. First, and most importantly, is your tire size, which you can find in inches on the tire sidewall. In this article, we explain in detail which tube fits which tire – or you can consult the ETRTO table, which uses millimeters instead of inch measurements. Next, you'll need the correct valve length, which depends on your rim depth. You can find the right valve length in the table below 

This makes it easy to find the correct inch size and valve length for your bike.

The Best Material for Your Presta Valve Tube

Once you've found the correct size and valve length, there's one more important question to consider: is a classic black butyl rubber tube really the best choice for your bike? Although butyl tubes are still widely used, the material – which has been in use for over 130 years – is now technically outdated. Modern tubes from AERON/TPU are made from thermoplastic polyurethane, a material that is lighter and more puncture-resistant than butyl. You can tailor your tube choice to match your specific needs. Depending on wall thickness, AERON/TPU tubes can function as a lightweight, compact spare tube, a racing tube with optimal rolling resistance, or a durable option for everyday riding. In short: a TPU tube allows you to ride faster and more safely than butyl in every aspect, and in some cases even surpasses tubeless systems. AERON/TPU offers all of its tubes with Presta valves. If you'd like to learn more about AERON/TPU bike tubes, feel free to explore our website.