child's bike inner tube sizes, please help!

6 replies

Squ1ggle · 04/02/2023 18:18

I haven't the 1st clue about bikes so don't know where to start I'm afraid.

DS has an old islabike rothan balance bike which has gone flat. The bike is a 12" wheel and the spare parts on the islabike webste suggests that the replacement inner tube would be 12 x 1.25. The problem is that its out of stock and has been for months now. I've looked for alternatives but they all seem to start at 12 x 1.5. Does this matter? Would it still fit?

This is the link to the islabike site www.islabikes.co.uk/products/inner-tube-12x1-25

Any advice would be very gratefully received

OP posts:

MrsAvocet · 04/02/2023 19:04

It's hard to say for sure - depends on the size of the tyre and the rims as if it's a very tight fit you can get pinch punctures as the tube gets caught between the tyre and the wheel rim. A 12x1.5 might be ok if you are careful and don't over inflate it but I wouldn't like to say for certain.
The other issue you've got is finding a 12 inch tyre with a presta valve. My quick Google (and admittedly I haven't looked very hard) is only bringing up ones with Schrader valves which probably won't fit. Schrader valves are wider bore and as the official islabikes tube is presta I'm presuming the rims are drilled for those. To be honest I think I'd probably buy a puncture repair kit and try to save the existing tube if I were you. Or you could email islabikes to ask for suggestions. Good luck - finding spares for kids bikes can be a bit of a nightmare sometimes.

MrsAvocet · 04/02/2023 19:05

Sorry, meant finding a 12 inch tube with presta valve might be tricky, not tyre!

Original poster

Squ1ggle · 04/02/2023 19:52

Gah! I'm getting the impression that it's a nightmare for sure! Poor kid just wants his bike back

OP posts:

MrsAvocet · 04/02/2023 22:53

This might do the job @Squ1ggle
fawkes-cycles.co.uk/schwalbe-sv1-inner-tube-12-inch-presta-40mm-valve-p25665/s55827?utm_medium=ppc&utm_term=schwalbe-sv1-inner-tube-12-inch-presta-40mm-valve-size-12-x-0-5-2-size-12-x-0-5-2-25-inch-48198&utm_campaign=froogle&cid=GBP&glCurrency=GBP&glCountry=GB&pk_cid=1&pk_keyword=55827&pk_medium=multifeeds&pk_campaign=Google&pk_source=Google&pk_content=SportingGoodsOutdoorRecreationCycling&utm_source=Google&gclid=Cj0KCQiAofieBhDXARIsAHTTldqUea3BmuXNe4vpm74gERPyq-KeZ_GThPBfyMjR_uVDgYSWwwPGrZEaAj0VEALw_wcB

Original poster

Squ1ggle · 05/02/2023 07:11

MrsAvocet · 04/02/2023 22:53

Ooh thanks yes looks worth a go

OP posts:

EmpressFlabulonTheWobbulous · 09/09/2023 07:17

Squ1ggle · 05/02/2023 07:11

Ooh thanks yes looks worth a go

Show quote history

Did this work? We are in the same predicament needing a Rothan 12 inner tube!

Flip