MTB Tyre Change Advice

[AliShah2020]

Hi all,

I am new to changing tyres, this will be my first time.

I currently have WTB Trail Boss on my MTB. I wanted to change to faster urban road tyres. Can I reuse the inner tube, or do I need to replace it please?

My current tyres are a 27.5 (650b):

I intend to change to WTB Thickslick:

I am hoping it will be a straight swap and allow me to reuse the inner tube?

Many thanks for your help!

 

[fossyant]

I'd get narrower tubes to make fitting easier.

 

[I like Skol]

I'd put the original tubes in if it were me, but then I have lots of tyre fitting experience.

 

[AliShah2020]

@fossyant Ahh good call. I get it now. Glad I did some diligence. Thank you for your input, hope you're having a great start to your summer

 

[AliShah2020]

@I like Skol ahh really? The replacement tyres are a tad narrower though does that matter?

 

[fossyant]

The tyres will have a fair amount less volume. Depending upon the time in the tyre, the tube may have stretched a bit, so might be a bit bigger than you want, but if still newish they should still fit OK as most tubes are 1.9 to 2.3 fitting in that size.

Use talc on your tubes to refit.

Only advising narrower tubes if you are new to tyre fitting.

 

[I like Skol]

I always try to err on the side of fitting a larger, thicker inner tube as logically a less stretched tube is more likely to resist punctures and pinch flats. Not sure if this is true but it makes sense in my head....

 

[Ajax Bay]

I always try to err on the side of fitting a narrower inner tube as the slightly inflated narrower tube makes fitting easier and makes no difference to puncture resistance or pinch flats.
In the OP's case I'd just use the current tubes (their size (width range) will likely be shown on the tube). The tube thickness will be 15% thicker (in the 1.95 as opposed to the 2.25 tyre).
This is an example: https://www.wiggle.co.uk/continental-quality-650b-mtb-inner-tube/?
which suggests a 1.75 - 2.4 range of tyre width.

 

[AliShah2020]

Thank you all for your awesome thinking and responses.

 

[fossyant]

Don't forget to talc the inside of the new tyre, and the tube. Makes life so much easier fitting and the tube and tyre won't stick and will go on the rim easier. Bit messy, but it works.