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Old 03-23-23, 09:02 PM
  #26  
randallr
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I've had great results for the past couple of years with Schwalbe Aerothan. One slow leak which I patched. Great quality control in their manufacturing.
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Old 03-24-23, 08:48 AM
  #27  
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Originally Posted by Caliwild
I was using TPU tubes exclusively on my clincher rim brake bikes... I loved how they felt. But, after multiple punctures during an especially-brutal winter in Southern California (and the associated crappy roads), I switched to tubeless and have been much happier. No more tube changes at 5 am while it's raining!
if I was riding at 5am in the rain - which I would not - I would probably use tubes with flat proof ... or something like that
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Old 03-24-23, 11:08 AM
  #28  
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Originally Posted by Caliwild
I was using TPU tubes exclusively on my clincher rim brake bikes... I loved how they felt. But, after multiple punctures during an especially-brutal winter in Southern California (and the associated crappy roads), I switched to tubeless and have been much happier. No more tube changes at 5 am while it's raining!
The roads have been complete trash this winter in SoCal. I was also thinking going tubeless from my TPU road setup, but I ended up swapping out my lightweight 25c clinchers for some Gravelking 28c clincher slicks. They're not as fast or supple, but they've been quite durable so far with no issues.
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Old 03-24-23, 02:45 PM
  #29  
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Originally Posted by t2p
if I was riding at 5am in the rain - which I would not - I would probably use tubes with flat proof ... or something like that
Different strokes for different folks... All good either way.
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Old 03-25-23, 06:26 AM
  #30  
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I am running tubeless on one, getting ready to covert the other to tubeless, but I run tubes or yet another bike. I want to carry whatever is more compact since my storage space is limited. The butyl tube takes up a ton of space. Are latex tubes as compact as TPU when rolled up or folded? They will just be a backup for my road and gravel bikes. I need a couple that got from 28-32 and one that goes from 38-45 or so.
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Old 03-25-23, 07:12 AM
  #31  
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Originally Posted by Chandne
Are latex tubes as compact as TPU when rolled up or folded?
No, TPU are much more compact than latex tubes.
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Old 03-25-23, 08:26 AM
  #32  
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TPU is used in a lot of areas - including diapers (I believe ?)

around 10 years or so ago I became aware of TPU in football helmet padding - TPU was superior at the time ...

our youth program helmets did not have this at the time - so I got my kid his own helmet with this stuff ... did the same for middle school football ... high school program helmets then included helmets with TPU
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Old 03-25-23, 12:10 PM
  #33  
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I was looking for a long term review, curious if those tpu last at least.
Also i have them on my fav list of aliexp, i'll buy them when the race season will end.
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Old 03-25-23, 08:00 PM
  #34  
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I have been using it daily for the past year or so. Done thousands of kilometres with only one flat. That flat was due to a spoke that snapped and shot through the tube. Even then, it was a slow puncture that took hours to go flat.
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Old 03-26-23, 09:12 AM
  #35  
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Originally Posted by ebow3d
I have been using it daily for the past year or so. Done thousands of kilometres with only one flat. That flat was due to a spoke that snapped and shot through the tube. Even then, it was a slow puncture that took hours to go flat.
Very interesting. How many hours per week do you cycle?
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Old 03-26-23, 03:01 PM
  #36  
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I think the Schwalbes have nylon valves. I'll need to carry a valve extender so will alloy ones still work? I have never used valve extenders nor have I used nylon valves. Will alloy extenders work on these Schwalbes? They will just be a backup tube, but it would be really useful if I can get some space back in the packs.
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Old 03-26-23, 04:29 PM
  #37  
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Originally Posted by Chandne
I think the Schwalbes have nylon valves. I'll need to carry a valve extender so will alloy ones still work? I have never used valve extenders nor have I used nylon valves. Will alloy extenders work on these Schwalbes? They will just be a backup tube, but it would be really useful if I can get some space back in the packs.
Yes, you can use an alloy extender, but obviously, because of the difference in material hardness, you’ll want to take care not to stress the thread interface (as with overtightening). Like, I might prefer to use a press-on pump head rather than a thread-on one, given the choice. I don’t use extenders on mine, so I have no idea how real the risk is, but as I said, knowing nylon is softer than aluminum…

Do you know you can get Aerothans with 80mm valves? They originally released with 40mm valves only, but there are 80mm now, at least in the Race and Endurance Race models. Using a long stem should be preferable to an extender regardless of stem material.
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Old 03-26-23, 04:32 PM
  #38  
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Originally Posted by chaadster
Yes, you can use an alloy extender, but obviously, because of the difference in material hardness, you’ll want to take care not to stress the thread interface (as with overtightening). Like, I might prefer to use a press-on pump head rather than a thread-on one, given the choice. I don’t use extenders on mine, so I have no idea how real the risk is, but as I said, knowing nylon is softer than aluminum…

Do you know you can get Aerothans with 80mm valves? They originally released with 40mm valves only, but there are 80mm now, at least in the Race and Endurance Race models. Using a long stem should be preferable to an extender regardless of stem material.

good point. I’m trying to cancel or modify my order actually. I got a few for the gravel bike, road bike, and mountain bike.
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Old 04-07-23, 06:36 AM
  #39  
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Originally Posted by CrowSeph
Very interesting. How many hours per week do you cycle?
Somewhere between five and ten hours a week. I do ride on very smooth roads here, no potholes.
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Old 09-29-23, 03:45 PM
  #40  
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Decided to try some TPU tubes. First I got some Schwalbe Aerothan from BikeInn, for 23-28 tires, 41grams. Running Veloflex Corsa Race 25’s, psi at 95-100. Two nice rides of 45 and 35 miles. Intrigued by the technology, went for some Cyclami tubes off Amazon, with a steel valve, only 38g. Thought the steel valve might last longer. Anyway first ride with Veloflex Corsa 28’s, 80 psi. 18 miles and the front tire exploded, the hole being next to the end to end seam. Brought a butyl tube and my normal flat kit, but then I had nothing if the rear tube flatted. Made it home. Next day returned the tube to Amazon via Whole Foods. When I got home that afternoon, the rear tire was flat! Today the replacement arrived. Two flat tubes on one ride! Before mounting, I carefully pumped enough air to check for leaks in water, easy installation as they are so slippery, and the 28’s weren’t new. Think the new one and the flat are going back for a refund! On todays 35 mile ride the with Aerothan tubes, I carried 2 butyl tubes and repair kit, to be safe. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
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Old 09-29-23, 04:11 PM
  #41  
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My bike has had TPU tubes for the last ~6 weeks. Close to 2k kms and one issue where a valve broke (so nothing to do with the TPU part).
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Old 09-30-23, 05:10 AM
  #42  
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Originally Posted by chaadster
Yes, you can use an alloy extender, but obviously, because of the difference in material hardness, you’ll want to take care not to stress the thread interface (as with overtightening). Like, I might prefer to use a press-on pump head rather than a thread-on one, given the choice. I don’t use extenders on mine, so I have no idea how real the risk is, but as I said, knowing nylon is softer than aluminum…

Do you know you can get Aerothans with 80mm valves? They originally released with 40mm valves only, but there are 80mm now, at least in the Race and Endurance Race models. Using a long stem should be preferable to an extender regardless of stem material.
For the cost of TPU tubes, any idea why you can't easily find these with more valve length options? I have some low 30's mm deep rims. 40mm would be too little, and 80mm too much.

Also was curious why use of plastic stems seems common for TPU tubes? If it's a good/better material, why don't we commonly see these on butyl tubes too, or if brass or Al stems are better, these put on TPU tubes?
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Old 09-30-23, 07:52 AM
  #43  
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Originally Posted by Sy Reene
For the cost of TPU tubes, any idea why you can't easily find these with more valve length options? I have some low 30's mm deep rims. 40mm would be too little, and 80mm too much.

Also was curious why use of plastic stems seems common for TPU tubes? If it's a good/better material, why don't we commonly see these on butyl tubes too, or if brass or Al stems are better, these put on TPU tubes?
All the major players make 60mm valve lengths; Tubolito, Schwalbe, Pirelli, Ridenow.

I don’t have any special insight into the valve stem material question, but I suspect it’s not a question of which material is better in an absolute sense, but rather which is better in specific cases within the matrix of cost, manufacturing, and marketing goals. For all the brands out there, it’s unlikely many have in-house manufacturing, so variety in the marketplace will reflect the limits of what a few suppliers are tooled up to produce.
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Old 10-01-23, 07:21 AM
  #44  
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Originally Posted by santa fe 2926
Decided to try some TPU tubes. First I got some Schwalbe Aerothan from BikeInn, for 23-28 tires, 41grams. Running Veloflex Corsa Race 25’s, psi at 95-100. Two nice rides of 45 and 35 miles. Intrigued by the technology, went for some Cyclami tubes off Amazon, with a steel valve, only 38g. Thought the steel valve might last longer. Anyway first ride with Veloflex Corsa 28’s, 80 psi. 18 miles and the front tire exploded, the hole being next to the end to end seam. Brought a butyl tube and my normal flat kit, but then I had nothing if the rear tube flatted. Made it home. Next day returned the tube to Amazon via Whole Foods. When I got home that afternoon, the rear tire was flat! Today the replacement arrived. Two flat tubes on one ride! Before mounting, I carefully pumped enough air to check for leaks in water, easy installation as they are so slippery, and the 28’s weren’t new. Think the new one and the flat are going back for a refund! On todays 35 mile ride the with Aerothan tubes, I carried 2 butyl tubes and repair kit, to be safe. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Please help fellow cyclists if you can find the time by posting a review on Amazon.
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Old 10-02-23, 04:29 PM
  #45  
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Originally Posted by easyupbug
Please help fellow cyclists if you can find the time by posting a review on Amazon.
What should the review say.. "Went for a ride, got a flat in my front and back tire"?

I suppose it couldn't be because both tires rode thru the same flat-causing stuff?
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Old 10-02-23, 04:48 PM
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I’ve got about 600 miles on Conti GP5000 with 36g RideNow TPU tubes. No issues.
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Old 10-03-23, 04:50 AM
  #47  
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Zero flats for over 6,000km on the yellow Pirelli TPU tubes with GP5000 clinchers on carbon disc wheels.

I like them all around.
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Old 10-03-23, 05:11 AM
  #48  
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I did not get a chance to try them yet, but I bought some on Aliexpress to carry as spare tubes on long rides and they are really compact. They take 1/4 of a jersey pocket and you don't feel them.

I ride tubeless so I don't care if they give a comfortable ride or not, as long as they can allow me to finish my ride and get back home!
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Old 10-04-23, 05:12 PM
  #49  
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Originally Posted by easyupbug
Please help fellow cyclists if you can find the time by posting a review on Amazon.
posted a 1 star review of both tubes failing, with pictures.
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Old 10-04-23, 07:10 PM
  #50  
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Originally Posted by yaw
Zero flats for over 6,000km on the yellow Pirelli TPU tubes with GP5000 clinchers on carbon disc wheels.
That will be my next setup after my current tires are worn (in about a year). Any concern using these tubes within rim brake CF wheels?
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