TPU tubes - getting better?
#1
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TPU tubes - getting better?
Two years ago I've tried rolling on TPU (tubolito, aerothan) instead of butyl, and the result was disappointing. I almost never get flats on butyl, and got three (slow leaks) with the TPUs over 2 000kms...
That was then, things may have improved. Reading reviews there are many negative feedbacks, but they seem to be older. On the plus side, TPU tubes take less than half of the space of butyl, so it's tempting to believe that their construction has improved.
Any experience?
That was then, things may have improved. Reading reviews there are many negative feedbacks, but they seem to be older. On the plus side, TPU tubes take less than half of the space of butyl, so it's tempting to believe that their construction has improved.
Any experience?
#2
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Two years ago I've tried rolling on TPU (tubolito, aerothan) instead of butyl, and the result was disappointing. I almost never get flats on butyl, and got three (slow leaks) with the TPUs over 2 000kms...
That was then, things may have improved. Reading reviews there are many negative feedbacks, but they seem to be older. On the plus side, TPU tubes take less than half of the space of butyl, so it's tempting to believe that their construction has improved.
Any experience?
That was then, things may have improved. Reading reviews there are many negative feedbacks, but they seem to be older. On the plus side, TPU tubes take less than half of the space of butyl, so it's tempting to believe that their construction has improved.
Any experience?
Just to be clear, I’m not all that thrilled with the performance of modern butyl tubes as I’ve experienced many, many flats that are the result of the tube being over-stretched towards the rim which causes them to tear and leak. However, I can fix those easily and butyl tubes are cheap.
And, no, I’m not going tubeless because those violate the conservation of mass.
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Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
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Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
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Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Last edited by cyccommute; 01-25-24 at 04:08 PM.
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#3
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I’ve been running Schwalbe Aerothans for the last 5000 miles inside Continental GP 4 Seasons. Quite pleased. One puncture. No quality issues.
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#5
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I well remember the fascination the performance minded enthusiasts had with latex tubes. It didn't last long, only a few years. I think TPO tube fascination will go the same route, albeit a longer period of fascination will exist.
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Personally, on my bikes that I run higher tire pressure, I've had fantastic luck with TPU, and so long as I can get them for between $2-$6 a tube, I will keep buying them. That is cheaper than butyl and well worth the weight savings.
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I have been using Schwalbe Aerothans and no issues in about the last 3000 miles. I have had a couple of flats from punctures but have patched them and they have continued to hold air. I have used both the Park glueless patches and the Schwalbe patches and no issues. One of the punctures was pretty big and I wondered if it would be patchable and I think I have at least 1500 miles on that patch with no issues.
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Started this summer with the "new and improved" Ride Now TPU's and now have several hundred miles on that bike with no punctures while riding. I did experience a single puncture when simply changing out tires and re inserting the tubes, a microscopic hole on the inside of the tube, from what I do not know. Personally I have never had great luck with Park glueless patches holding on standard butyl tubes but it sure worked like a charm on this TPU tube. I'm running them on my road bike, 30mm tires at 65 psi. I'm not convinced enough to tour with them but they are definitely faster on my road bike as they are only 36 grams and they have been proven to have less rolling resistance than butyl.
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Interesting. I've ordered Ride Now from Ali -- they are more affordable. May I ask which ones? From what I understand they have racing and regular models.
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For me its much more a utility issue. Will my TPU tube have to be specific for my wheels? Can I jump from 27 1/2 to 700c? Can I go from 28mm to 34mm using the same TPU tube? Can I patch the TPU tube effectively. Of course next comes the cost. I do like the small foot print the TPU tube has. I do like its weight but for me as a clyde ridding a steel bike it is not a real important issue.
As the quality of Butyl tubes and the cost of TPU tubes decline I am soon to make TPU tube purchases...
As the quality of Butyl tubes and the cost of TPU tubes decline I am soon to make TPU tube purchases...
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Interested! How about a few sources for these 2-6 USD TPU tubes so I can give um a try. Thanks...
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I’ve been using Ride Now from aliexpress and had every bit as much luck with them as butyl tubes and better luck than latex tubes. My main ride is tubeless but I have two other bikes and my wife’s with the TPU and very happy.
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I order from china via ali express. I've had good luck with RideNow (36g) at $6/tube, Newboler (28g) being my favorite at $3.50/tube with the caveat that the plastic valve stems can become brittle in the cold weather, and I recently purchased a brand called OFFBONDAGE (39g) on some flash sale for $2/tube. They look good, but have yet to install. Seems the normal price is a bit more expensive.
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#14
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Oh, I think it’s about the same as butyl or somewhat better. Puncture resistance for me is probably more a function of the tire than the tubes. However, I had more issues flatting with early Tubolitos than with the Aerothans (non-puncture quality issues with the early Tubolitos) and the Aerothans have none of that. I don’t ride TPU tubes for flat resistance, I ride them because they are insanely light.
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randallr Thanks for the feedback. I've ordered some RideNows -- generally good reviews (hopefully genuine) and worst that might happen would be restocking with butyls. Perhaps an occasion to talk bikes with the locals
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Latex tubes are getting better so that is a plus.
But as they say, YMMV.
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cyccommute Posted: Just to be clear, I’m not all that thrilled with the performance of modern butyl tubes as I’ve experienced many, many flats that are the result of the tube being over-stretched towards the rim which causes them to tear and leak. However, I can fix those easily and butyl tubes are cheap.