TPU justification for tubulars
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
TPU justification for tubulars
I read the TPU threads. $30 or $40 for a tube that saves you 40-60 grams over butyl.
They just had a special -- Vittoria Corsa tubular for $85 for a pair. A whole race tire with a lighter rim for the price of an inner tube.
No beef with TPU tubes. I'll probably get some. But for know I'm not going to feel too bad if I flat a tubular. It's cheaper than a day of golf.
They just had a special -- Vittoria Corsa tubular for $85 for a pair. A whole race tire with a lighter rim for the price of an inner tube.
No beef with TPU tubes. I'll probably get some. But for know I'm not going to feel too bad if I flat a tubular. It's cheaper than a day of golf.
#2
I’m a little Surly
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Near the district
Posts: 2,422
Bikes: Two Cross Checks, a Karate Monkey, a Disc Trucker, and a VO Randonneur
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 699 Post(s)
Liked 1,294 Times
in
647 Posts
It's not just the weight with TPU is the better ride and better rolling resistance. If you want to ride tubies go ahead if I were going to ride a bike with 25's I'd probably ride them too, just add a bit of tubeless sealant and you need to worry about flats
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,397
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1562 Post(s)
Liked 1,735 Times
in
975 Posts
Ridenow TPU tubes are like $7 each.
The other advantage of TPU tubes is that they are easy to carry as spares. You can't say the same for your tubular tire now.
The other advantage of TPU tubes is that they are easy to carry as spares. You can't say the same for your tubular tire now.
#4
Veteran, Pacifist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Seattle area
Posts: 13,338
Bikes: Bikes??? Thought this was social media?!?
Mentioned: 284 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3901 Post(s)
Liked 4,845 Times
in
2,234 Posts
Tubulars = a good reccomendation for one's fast pavement bikes. I used sealant as a precaution, until a couple of stems got plugged. I probably stopped during first ride with valve stems at bottom on wheel. Anyway, I carry my sealant now. Makes for a longer stop to seal a flat, but never a valve stem concern. I very rarely flat.
__________________
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Last edited by Wildwood; 08-22-23 at 01:15 AM.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Great White North
Posts: 926
Bikes: I have a few
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 340 Post(s)
Liked 210 Times
in
104 Posts
I read the TPU threads. $30 or $40 for a tube that saves you 40-60 grams over butyl.
They just had a special -- Vittoria Corsa tubular for $85 for a pair. A whole race tire with a lighter rim for the price of an inner tube.
No beef with TPU tubes. I'll probably get some. But for know I'm not going to feel too bad if I flat a tubular. It's cheaper than a day of golf.
They just had a special -- Vittoria Corsa tubular for $85 for a pair. A whole race tire with a lighter rim for the price of an inner tube.
No beef with TPU tubes. I'll probably get some. But for know I'm not going to feel too bad if I flat a tubular. It's cheaper than a day of golf.
#6
Thread Killer
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 12,452
Bikes: 15 Kinesis Racelight 4S, 76 Motebecane Gran Jubilée, 17 Dedacciai Gladiatore2, 12 Breezer Venturi, 09 Dahon Mariner, 12 Mercier Nano, 95 DeKerf Team SL, 19 Tern Rally, 21 Breezer Doppler Cafe+, 19 T-Lab X3, 91 Serotta CII, 23 3T Strada
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3152 Post(s)
Liked 1,717 Times
in
1,036 Posts
Pirelli’s top tubular, P Zero Race SL use TPU tubes inside. It’s the tubular supplied to all their sponsored World Tour teams when not on tubeless. At over $100 per tubular, way more expensive than running TPU innertubes, so I’m glad I run clinchers!
#7
Senior Member
On yesterday's ride I had a flat and replaced the rubber tube with a RideNow TPU tube. I bought some to carry for times like that. I bought them on AliExpress for about the same cost as rubber tubes. When I got home I put another TPU tube in my seat bag. Hopefully I won't use it for a long time.
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2022
Location: Missoula MT
Posts: 1,767
Bikes: Handsome xoxo, Serotta atx, Canyon Endurace CF8
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 904 Post(s)
Liked 1,899 Times
in
849 Posts
I just received 2 aerothanes in the mail and when I picked up the package I thought it was empty.....
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2021
Posts: 8,456
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4420 Post(s)
Liked 4,873 Times
in
3,017 Posts
This is the main reason I’m interested in TPU tubes ie emergency spare for my tubeless setup. They appear to be much less bulky than regular tubes.
Likes For PeteHski:
#10
Senior Member
Thread Starter
https://www.excelsports.com/vittoria...ad-tire-2-pack
I ordered a pair and they look great, arrived quickly.
Likes For ljsense:
#11
Thread Killer
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 12,452
Bikes: 15 Kinesis Racelight 4S, 76 Motebecane Gran Jubilée, 17 Dedacciai Gladiatore2, 12 Breezer Venturi, 09 Dahon Mariner, 12 Mercier Nano, 95 DeKerf Team SL, 19 Tern Rally, 21 Breezer Doppler Cafe+, 19 T-Lab X3, 91 Serotta CII, 23 3T Strada
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3152 Post(s)
Liked 1,717 Times
in
1,036 Posts
That’s what big TPU companies and their media lackeys want you to think. They have ways of manipulating the images to make their old, warmed-over technology look smaller than butyl. Next thing you know, they’ll fade you into believing they’re more durable, have less rolling resistance, weigh less, and hold pressure better, too. They won’t stop until we’re all back in tubes! This battle between Big TPU and Big Tubeless is ruining cycling! Jan Heine for UCI President 2024!!!
#14
Veteran, Pacifist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Seattle area
Posts: 13,338
Bikes: Bikes??? Thought this was social media?!?
Mentioned: 284 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3901 Post(s)
Liked 4,845 Times
in
2,234 Posts
I run my tubulars at a pretty high pressure (but nowhere near 175psi - the rated max). Vittoria (in clinchers) has always been my 'go to' tire. I was a little disappointed in the Vittoria Corsa tubulars, not as supple a feel as I was expecting. Mine are 25mm.
__________________
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Last edited by Wildwood; 08-22-23 at 10:18 AM.
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2021
Posts: 8,456
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4420 Post(s)
Liked 4,873 Times
in
3,017 Posts
That’s what big TPU companies and their media lackeys want you to think. They have ways of manipulating the images to make their old, warmed-over technology look smaller than butyl. Next thing you know, they’ll fade you into believing they’re more durable, have less rolling resistance, weigh less, and hold pressure better, too. They won’t stop until we’re all back in tubes! This battle between Big TPU and Big Tubeless is ruining cycling! Jan Heine for UCI President 2024!!!
#16
Thread Killer
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 12,452
Bikes: 15 Kinesis Racelight 4S, 76 Motebecane Gran Jubilée, 17 Dedacciai Gladiatore2, 12 Breezer Venturi, 09 Dahon Mariner, 12 Mercier Nano, 95 DeKerf Team SL, 19 Tern Rally, 21 Breezer Doppler Cafe+, 19 T-Lab X3, 91 Serotta CII, 23 3T Strada
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3152 Post(s)
Liked 1,717 Times
in
1,036 Posts
Puncture resistance could certainly be better than latex, but pro racers don’t fix flats on the road anyway, so they’re almost certainly after the weight savings compared to a latex tubed tubular.
#17
Thread Killer
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 12,452
Bikes: 15 Kinesis Racelight 4S, 76 Motebecane Gran Jubilée, 17 Dedacciai Gladiatore2, 12 Breezer Venturi, 09 Dahon Mariner, 12 Mercier Nano, 95 DeKerf Team SL, 19 Tern Rally, 21 Breezer Doppler Cafe+, 19 T-Lab X3, 91 Serotta CII, 23 3T Strada
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3152 Post(s)
Liked 1,717 Times
in
1,036 Posts
What stops me buying one as an emergency spare is the very mixed reviews in terms of reliability out of the box, especially reports of fragile, leaky plastic valve stems. This season I have been riding without a spare tube. Relying on sealant and Dynaplugs. The idea of a very compact, lightweight tube still appeals as a last resort back-up, but not if there's a high chance it might fail out of the box. In that regard I have more confidence in a regular tube, but don't like the extra bulk.
I don’t use $8 China-direct TPU tubes, though.
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2021
Posts: 8,456
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4420 Post(s)
Liked 4,873 Times
in
3,017 Posts
I was reading reviews of Tubolito and Ridenow. They both appear to have potential issues with the valve stems. Also read somewhere about the valve stems not sealing well with my Silca mini-pump head. Enough bad user reviews to put me off for now.
#19
Thread Killer
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 12,452
Bikes: 15 Kinesis Racelight 4S, 76 Motebecane Gran Jubilée, 17 Dedacciai Gladiatore2, 12 Breezer Venturi, 09 Dahon Mariner, 12 Mercier Nano, 95 DeKerf Team SL, 19 Tern Rally, 21 Breezer Doppler Cafe+, 19 T-Lab X3, 91 Serotta CII, 23 3T Strada
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3152 Post(s)
Liked 1,717 Times
in
1,036 Posts
Hmm, yeah, not heard of those as widespread problems, but I selected Aerothan, and have only used Aerothan, based on the fullness of their technical marketing presentation, which, because it was clear and specific in its explanations and claims, gave me confidence that it was a soundly conceived and well-engineered product. I was not impressed with Tubolito’s presentation, which as I recall was centered on lightweight, whereas Schwalbe claimed specific achievements in weight reduction as well, but also puncture resistance, cut resistance, rolling resistance and presented test results to back it up, with comps to butyl, latex, and a “plastic tube” indicated in orange, a thinly veiled reference to Tubolito, I assumed.
Likes For chaadster:
#20
Habitual User
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Altadena, CA
Posts: 7,997
Bikes: 2023 Niner RLT 9 RDO, 2018 Trek Procaliber 9.9 RSL, 2018 Storck Fascenario.3 Platinum, 2003 Time VX Special Pro, 2001 Colnago VIP, 1999 Trek 9900 singlespeed, 1977 Nishiki ONP
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4957 Post(s)
Liked 8,100 Times
in
3,833 Posts
This is exactly what I have done, and why I’ve done it. 2 TPU tubes takes up the same or less space than 1 butyl tube, and weigh less.
__________________
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
"Swedish fish. They're protein shaped." - livedarklions
Likes For Eric F:
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2021
Posts: 8,456
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4420 Post(s)
Liked 4,873 Times
in
3,017 Posts
Hmm, yeah, not heard of those as widespread problems, but I selected Aerothan, and have only used Aerothan, based on the fullness of their technical marketing presentation, which, because it was clear and specific in its explanations and claims, gave me confidence that it was a soundly conceived and well-engineered product. I was not impressed with Tubolito’s presentation, which as I recall was centered on lightweight, whereas Schwalbe claimed specific achievements in weight reduction as well, but also puncture resistance, cut resistance, rolling resistance and presented test results to back it up, with comps to butyl, latex, and a “plastic tube” indicated in orange, a thinly veiled reference to Tubolito, I assumed.
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Great White North
Posts: 926
Bikes: I have a few
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 340 Post(s)
Liked 210 Times
in
104 Posts
Of course -- it's at Excel Sports. Someone pointed me to it in the Totally Tubular thread.
https://www.excelsports.com/vittoria...ad-tire-2-pack
I ordered a pair and they look great, arrived quickly.
https://www.excelsports.com/vittoria...ad-tire-2-pack
I ordered a pair and they look great, arrived quickly.
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 982
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 506 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 639 Times
in
357 Posts
How much do you weigh? Is this a track bike? The experience of decades says that if you need over 100 psi on the road then you should be on wider tires. Pumping to that pressure does not make you faster as suspension losses climb dramatically due to the super hard tire having essentially no compliance. Higher pressures mean less traction, faster tire wear, and reduced comfort for no benefit in rolling resistance. What's not to like?
#24
Veteran, Pacifist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Seattle area
Posts: 13,338
Bikes: Bikes??? Thought this was social media?!?
Mentioned: 284 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3901 Post(s)
Liked 4,845 Times
in
2,234 Posts
I ride smooth roads, I guess.
Too much 'compliance' feels mushy - fine if you ride straight lines. Not fine if you descend at 30+mph on a twisty road, as I do on every ride from my home = ~95% of all my rides. YMMV
Too much 'compliance' feels mushy - fine if you ride straight lines. Not fine if you descend at 30+mph on a twisty road, as I do on every ride from my home = ~95% of all my rides. YMMV
__________________
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
#25
Thread Killer
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 12,452
Bikes: 15 Kinesis Racelight 4S, 76 Motebecane Gran Jubilée, 17 Dedacciai Gladiatore2, 12 Breezer Venturi, 09 Dahon Mariner, 12 Mercier Nano, 95 DeKerf Team SL, 19 Tern Rally, 21 Breezer Doppler Cafe+, 19 T-Lab X3, 91 Serotta CII, 23 3T Strada
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3152 Post(s)
Liked 1,717 Times
in
1,036 Posts
I'd thought Eclipse disappeared many years ago, but apparently not! I went back to look at BRR's TPU Crr test, and saw Eclipse had been added to the original test results sometime last year. They're pretty hard to find, but this E. Dubied place, somewhere in Germany, seem to be the main source, although I didn't look all that much:
https://edubied.com/products/eclipse-endurance-tube
Likes For chaadster: