Bicycle camera: types and selection

It seems that there is nothing difficult in choosing a bicycle camera: you take any one that is suitable in diameter, and you don't think about anything else. In fact, before buying a bicycle camera, you should first read the important information that will help reveal some points.

A cycling tube is sometimes called a "bagel" or elastic torus. The torus is embedded in the wheel rim, after which it performs a shock-absorbing function, protecting the latter. The outside of the bike tube is protected by a wheel cover.

The first cameras, which appeared in the late 19th century thanks to John Dunlop, were made of pure rubber rubber. Today this type of rubber is no longer used by anyone, since it is expensive and unnecessary.

There are two types of cycling cameras on sale now: butyl rubber and latex.

Let's consider each of the existing options.

Butyl rubber is produced in petrochemical plants using artificial rubber.

A better quality mixture, which is directly related to wear resistance, is used to produce expensive "bagels". Cheap butyl tubes can tear at the nipple joints.

Latex rubber is lightweight, resistant to mechanical damage, such as "snake bite", characterized by breaking the rim of the torus at several paired points with a sharp impact or hitting a sharp angle.Note that this material is overpriced and has low wear resistance.

It is not difficult to choose a suitable cycling camera option, the main thing is to correctly determine its size, which is usually indicated on tires... Although after a puncture, this is quite difficult to do, since the marking numbers can easily be erased during operation.

A smaller diameter is acceptable because a high level of elasticity will fill the free space, but this is not a reliable system. So, for wheels with a size of 28 inches, 26 bicycle cameras are sometimes used. If you insert the camera more, then it will "bite" itself and burst after a certain distance.

To maximize the life of a camera, there are a couple of important things to consider: volume and diameter. So, the Kenda Nevegal tire, which has parameters of 559 by 50 millimeters, will accommodate chambers with a width of 1.9 to 2.1 mm and 26 mm in diameter.

In order to make it easier to understand how to find out the size of the cameras, you can use the table below.

The most popular cameras are now considered to be of such sizes 26, 20, 28, 29, 8, 18 and 16:

• 16 and 18 sizes are suitable for children's bicycles;
• 20 and 22 are mounted on vehicles for teenagers;
• 26-inch mountain bikes;
• all other sizes shown are suitable for adult models.

As mentioned above, the tire of each wheel indicates the diameter and width in inches or mm (26-1.90 or 37-622).

The most convenient marking is considered to be created by the developers of an international organization. This marking view includes all sizes. It is designated as follows - ISO 5775.

Let's look at such an example - 28-622, where:

• 28 - width indicator;
• 622 - inner diameter.

The decoding of the marking 29x1 5/8-x1 1/38, which has several numbers, is as follows:

• outer diameter indicator - 29;
• 1 5/8 indicates the height of the bike tires;
• 1 3/8 is the width.

In France, marking is prescribed in ml. For example, 800x35C would mean:

• the outer diameter is 800;
• 35 - width indicator;
• the letter denotes an inner diameter of 622 mm.

The old marking was prescribed 533x38 ml:

• the first number is the diameter;
• the second is the width.

A nipple is used to keep the pressure inside the chamber. It is of several types.

• Dunlop. It is considered an outdated type of nipple, which is quite rare nowadays to be found on bicycles. Today they are installed only on children's models and on road vehicles.

• Presta-nipples are becoming more and more popular.Cameras of this type are increasingly being used to equip racing and sports vehicles as well as mid-range models.

• Shrader - This is the most common type of nipple, cylindrical and threaded. The main advantage is the prevalence, thanks to which you can pump up the wheels with any pump. A nipple of this type is called an automobile nipple. Its indicators: Ø 8-8.5 mm

The quality and reliability of the most popular and technologically advanced bicycle cameras cannot be doubted. Here is a rating of the most popular and best species.

• Maxxis Welter Weight Are standard bicycle cameras that are used by a large number of people. Their thickness is up to 0.9 mm, therefore, they are distinguished by resistance to various punctures, having a relatively small mass. They are installed on various bicycles, as their size range is extensive.

• Duro Is a bike camera that is in no way inferior to the most expensive brands. Suitable for bicycles with 26 "wheels. The most important factor is the availability of a bicycle dumbbell.

• Maxxis Ultra-Light used for sports. They have a small thickness of 6 mm and a low weight. The bike camera was reduced by 20%. The assortment is small, but it is enough for consumers.

• Kenda - Cycling cameras suitable for walking in parks, in the city or in the fields. They are designed for a 26 "diameter. Low price is typical. Car nipples are suitable.

• Maxxis flyweight - cameras that are particularly lightweight. Professionals love them, since the thickness is only 0.4. Equipped with an ultra-light flipper to help you shed excess weight. Suitable nipples Presta: 700x18 / 25C, 26X1x1.9 / 2.125.

• Maxxis freeride excellent for extreme driving. The camera weighs 292 grams and is 1.2 mm thick. The first parameter is considered large, but it fully justifies itself. They use tires from 2.2 to 2.5 inches.

• Foss - a chamber that releases air more slowly than the others, which is due to the built-in protection. Dimensions - 23C-25C. Used with French Presta nipples.

• Maxxis downhill - These are impenetrable bicycle cameras that are used under abnormal conditions. Movement is permissible even with low pressure inside the chamber. The weight is 460 grams and the thickness is 1.5 mm. Such cycling cameras will ensure the safety of movement even when descending from the mountains.

An anti-puncture chamber is one that has a special substance inside. If a puncture is formed, then the air begins to blow it out, and it, due to its properties, clogs the resulting hole. Using such designs, you will forever get rid of worries about small punctures from thorns, glass and even nails.

There are chambers in which the anti-puncture has already been poured. For example, the CST company produces a ready-made version of such cycling cameras.

To summarize all of the above: when purchasing a bicycle camera, pay particular attention to the following indicators:

• rim sedimentary diameter;
• permissible tire width;
• the type of nipple used.

To remove tires from wheels without special tools, you need to be a highly qualified specialist. If you do not have certain skills, use the installers - special shovels that are sold in kits.

The following video provides a video tutorial on how to replace a bicycle tube using the example of a mountain bike with rim brakes.