In BMX racing, the inner tube is a small but vital component that can significantly impact a bike’s rolling resistance and overall weight. While often overlooked, the type of tube you choose dictates how your tire handles the high pressures required for a fast BMX racing track.
Because racers aim to reduce "rotational weight," inner tube technology has branched into three distinct categories:
• Standard Butyl Rubber: The most common and affordable option. These tubes are reliable and easy to patch, but they are also the heaviest.
• Lightweight/Ultra-light Butyl: Thinned-down versions of standard tubes designed specifically for racing. They shave off crucial grams but are more prone to "pinch flats" if tire pressure is too low.
• TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane): The newest high-performance standard in racing. TPU tubes are incredibly light (often 1/3 the weight of rubber) and have very low rolling resistance. They are also much more compact, making them a favorite for riders carrying spares in their race bag.
Also make sure you are buying a tube that has the right valve type for your rims. BMX race bikes either have a Presta valve (long and thin) or a Schrader value. Generally only rims for larger adult riders are likely to have a Schrader valve.
