Running motorcycle tubes in bicycles

[ichitan]

I have some motorcycle tubes, which are 2.75x21. These work in 26x2.75 and 26x3 inch bicycle tires. You can run them in 26x4 inch bicycle tires, but they are not ideal, as they are being stretched too much. You would need to check the width of the tube if running them in narrower tires, but they would probably work in 26x2.5 inch bicycle tires.

These are not exactly the correct size. The correct size for 26 inch bicycle tires, would be 22 inch motorcycle tubes. But tubes stretch, so they work.

Motorcycle tubes are thicker and stronger than bicycle tubes, so they should normally last longer. They are also heavier, so those wanting minimum weight may not want to use them.

Here are some equivalent sizes of bicycle tires and motorcycle tubes.

20 inch bicycle - 16 inch motorcycle

22 inch bicycle - 18 inch motorcycle

24 inch bicycle - 20 inch motorcycle

26 inch bicycle - 22 inch motorcycle

Some of those motorcycle sizes may not be available, or be rare. But as I said, tubes stretch, a tube size within 1 inch should work.

I would like to run motorcycle tubes in my 29 inch mountain bike, but they don't make motorcycle wheels that big.