TPU Bicycle Tubes: Light, Fast, Cheap.... What's the Catch?
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- Опубліковано 6 сер 2024
- This week I set out to answer a few questions I had about these super-light and relatively new type of bicycle tubes. Were they difficult to install? Were they fragile? At less than 1/2 the weight and volume of standard tubes, was there a catch? I also exploded a few of them to see what would happen if they were inflated outside of a tyre, for science of course. 😉💥
Links:
● Magene EXAR TPU Tube Official Page: bit.ly/3KzQqkB
● Bicycle Rolling Resistance Website: bit.ly/37ik1vM
● Buy TPU Bicycle Tubes (Amazon US): amzn.to/3DQ0e63
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Video Index
0:00 Intro
0:55 TPU Tubes and Weights
2:04 Elasticity Test
3:04 Practical Space Savings of a TPU Tube
3:50 Tube Installation
5:39 Road Testing and Commentary
7:14 TPU Tube Repair Options
7:24 Valve Cores - Likely Glued In
7:45 LET'S EXPLODE SOME TUBES! 💥
11:32 Wrap-Up
Disclosure: The Amazon links above are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase. 👌🏼
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#Cycling #TPU #Tubes - Спорт
One other thing- I've found that TPU tubes can be patched with any poly vinyl patch kit, ie a kids beach ball/ swimming pool repair kit. These are usually cheaper.
When I got my new bike a year ago it came with "regular" butyl tubes and a mid-level Continental tire (can't remember the name). I swapped those out for RideNow TPU tubes and Continental GP5000 tires. I saved about 200 total grams by just using the TPU tubes instead of "regular" butyl tubes. I also noticed the ride quality was appreciably improved, but obviously the GP5000's may have had something to do with that. What I think is important to mention is the weight savings over regular butyl tubes is more impactful on ride quality than one might realize because this weight (mass) savings is located on the outer perimeter of the rotating wheel. That reduces the moment of inertia (rotational inertia) of the wheel by a non-insignificant amount as rotational inertia is a function of the SQUARE of the distance of the mass from the axis of rotation. Lower rotational inertia means it is easier to spin up the tires when accelerating. So, for folks that run tubes and are switching from butyl to TPU, the advantages of TPU tubes are impressive in my opinion. BTW, a year later and I am still using the same RideNow TPU tubes. No problems. Having said that, I will now probably get a flat in both tires tomorrow!!! 😱🤣🤣🤣
Great explanation - too many people scoff the weight saving of TPU tubes without considering the beneficial physics of saving weight at the perimeter of your wheel.
Did you get a flat, dear?
@@BananaCueCrew NOPE!! 🙌🙌🙌🙌
A lighter mass will spin up faster, but it will also spin down faster. There is literally zero advantage to a slightly lighter weight when it comes to rotaional mass. The only time you lose energy out of the system is when you brake. Otherwise, while it may take longer to spin up a heavier wheel, it will also hold more energy and therefore make no difference.
@@shepshape2585 Hi Shep, The physics of your comment is reasonable. I believe what some folks are missing is this is not a physics problem only involving simple systems. You're involving a very complex system, the human body, whose efficiency varies with power output. Acceleration (spinning up) usually involves higher power outputs where the body operates in different ways and is a less efficient energy conversion "machine." Maintaining a speed usually involves much lower increases in power output and allows the body to stay in more efficient energy conversion regions. I could not find any solid research that addressed this. So it is theoretical conjecture on my part that this may be part of why I have found riding with low mass TPU tubes instead of regular butyl tubes a "better" riding experience. Anyway, my point is I don't think this is as simple a physics problem as one might think on the surface. Thanks for taking the time to respond. This is pretty interesting stuff. 😊
2000 miles on RideNow 34gm version. Overall lighter than my tubeless set up and so so much less trouble. Can't see me ever changing.
Same here...
Same here. No issues.
same here...especially if you want to change tires regularly....
Same
light isn’t the goal if you want speed, you want low hysteresis
I had no end of problems with the Pirelli smartubes, the plastic valves kept cracking on first/second use. Second set lost air near the base of the valves on first ride so sent them back. Then tried Vittoria tpu’s and got punctured on most rides. About to give up but decided to try Ride Now’s from Ali Baba. Absolutely brilliant and only £4! Have used them for last four months and 30g 👍🏻👌🏻
I switch from butyl to the RideNow TPU in a 32c GP5000 tyre on my endurance bike. The regular maintenance of going tubeless, on my road bike, never seemed worth the hassle. Especially when it is recommended that you carry a inner tube "just in case". The reduced rolling resistance and weight versus my stock tyres plus low tyre pressures were an additional bonus. The tipping point was that the RideNow TPU tubes are actually cheaper than butyl tubes where I live. Last, I have frame storage so the size of the TPU tubes made it so that I can carry two tubes at lower weight plus other normal emergency items and avoid an external bag entirely. All wins straight down the line.
Love them. Had them over a year and 12,000 km and they are fast. Ride feel is great and acceleration is much better than any other option I have tried, except on very rough roads where tubeless at low pressure would be faster. They are super easy to install due to the slippery (shiny) surface. Puncture resistance is good, patching is fine as long as you follow the instructions exactly.
Use the standard ridenows, only issue with them is they are quite easy to pinch if you're not paying attention when installing. I carry 2 spares (thanks UK roads) in the same small bag I used to carry 1 butyl.
What width and pressure? Maybe also speed and weight, if I may ask...
I know this is a cycling channel, but the inflation tests were the most fun to watch! Respect for wearing ear and eye protection. Thanks for the info.
I also use Pirelli TPU tubes, now since 18 months. They are amazing on my 28mm GP 4000 S. Super easy install, ultra small, and light, I guess there is no easier way to save about 300g. Best is I haven't had a single puncture in about 4500km.
I love them!
Nice 👍
Ditto. Great combo.
@@gplamadid you see the Recall Perelli P-Zero Race had? I had to swap my pZero’s for Conti Gp-5000 tubeless. All the perelli tires in stock at my local bike shop were part of the recall
@@tony5269 Michelin power cup for the win imo
@@kubackjeee I’ll definitely 👍 look 👀 at them next time thanks
Switched to RideNow TPU’s a few thousand miles ago, replacing butyl tubes. Love the feel and weight savings. Only downside I’ve experienced is that the patching process is time-intensive, so it really can’t be done roadside if you’re having a bad day of punctures and run out of tubes. Fortunately, they’re super-light, so it’s not a big deal to throw a few in the saddle bag.
That "lazy" return to its original shape of the butyl tubes is due to elastomeric hysteresis. Basically, heat is generated during the stretch and return, which reduces the elastic energy available to return it to its original shape. That heat is also the reason butyl tubes have higher rolling resistance, since the bending / stretching as it rolls generares heat, which means the kinetic energy of the bicycle is being reduced.
@11:05 "my nerves are absolutely shot"..i respect you more for that admission. me too, just watching, LOL!
I'm a weekend rider and picked up a slow flat between rides from a what I assumed was a steel belt metal pin prick (no fragments found in butyl tube or tyre. Anyway have been trying the cheep tpu tube in its place and carrying another as spair on rides, only found air leeks out a little bit faster during storag(I check my pressures before every ride anyway) than the butyl but feel on road is good. Time will indicate picture resistance. Great videos , always informative.
Thanks for showing one packed up sensibly :-). I run latex but carry 2 light butyl spares and the saddle roll is a little cramped. Looks good for that use case.
After having a flat this past summer and finding my bike shop only had one butyl tube in stock for my cyclocross bike, I've decided to switch over to the RideNow TPU tubes on that bike and see how they hold up along my local riverside trails. Good to know they shouldn't blow at 50psi in my 33mm CX tires.
One thing you didn't mention I don't think was air retention. The other alternative to standard butyl tubes is latex tubes, these TPU tubes hold air much better than latex. As a lazy rider, not having to inflate tyres from completely flat every ride, this is a bonus.
Exactly same experience here. I think TPU is a slightly less supple ride, but you can get two in the space of a single butyl or latex tube in your saddle bag. Never going to touch road tubeless. There is no reason to use road tubeless -- especially with the dreaded hookless rim and I expect that it will disappear from the market, just like rear hub power meters.
Been running Ridenow TPU’s with standard GP5000’s for the last year or so. Noticeably more comfortable than standard butyl tubes and no punctures to date.
I’ve been using Tubolito’s for a year now. 10,000 km and love them! I have repaired them and they have been fine to use again. Will probably change to a cheaper brand when next ordering if the Tubolito’s are not coming down in price.
I switched over from latex to RideNow 36g. I ride rim brakes and had the opportunity to do some big technical descents. There were no over-heating issues.
Is it really safe? No blowouts or weird feeling on the tires on long steep descents? People in forums are quite split in using TPU in rim brakes for long descents especially during summer
I have used ridenow tubes on my rim brake bike in Alps descents, 36 degrees Celcius. No problem at all.@@twillyspanksyourcakes
I did some Huge Mountains with Zero problems@@twillyspanksyourcakes
Been using these 4 approx 3/4 months . Xcellent outcome. Would never go back 2 the old tubes . TPU Sensational. Think its Schwable that experimenting with TPU TYRES
Try the TPU tubes with a non-tubeless tyre. Much better with the more pliable tyre wall.
my hookless zipp wheels don't let me use non-TL even with inner tube 🙃🤦♂
Exactly, tubeless tyres will have less puncture resistance than normal clinchers as well as they rely more on the sealant for that…
Yes they need to be in normal clincher to feel them. They go whoooosh whoooosh!
@@SonnyDarvishzadehhookles road is a joke. I feel sorry for everyone who bought into this nonsense
Absolutely, with nice cotton tyres. I could not feel a difference in rolling resistance and comfort between those and tubeless Pirelli P-Zero Race. Schwalbe feel similar but always puncture on me no matter which sealant I use. I have no experience with hookless and lower pressure there but for „regular“ tubeless on the road the pressure is normally too high to seal properly. For me it only seals around 3-4 bar. I personally find it not practical for road. Love tubeless for cross or MTB though.
I swapped my tubes on my summer race road bike about a month ago as well as my spares that I carry in the saddle bag. I saved over 160grams. I noticed immediately an improvement in acceleration on the bike. However, this could just be psychological “knowing” I had less rotational weight on the wheels. Not sure if I’m ready to swap the tubes in my winter training road bike but I’m definitely looking to swap tubes in a couple of my MTBs.
I’ve used Pirelli TPU tubes on a disc road bike for over a year now. Only one flat and I was able to patch it and have ridden on it successfully for more than 6 months. TPUs have significantly less rotational weight which helps. Tubeless and latex tubes are slightly more comfortable; otherwise, comparable to feel of butyl IMO. I have since purchased the Ride Now TPUs at about $10 CDN each. So it’s no longer cost prohibitive. They are my spares. Haven’t had to use them yet 🤞.
I have installed RidewNow 36 gr tubes. Done about 1000 km, no issues. Will try their 24 or 19 gr later
I've had a really bad run with latex tubes, I honesly cannot recommend them, Vittoria ultralights or tubeless, I'd honesly consider nothing else.
I'm using RideNow since about 1000km and got 2 punctures on GravelKing slicks, and was able to patch. Those tires are very fragile so it's not bad at all, and they feel vivid and responsive just like when set up tubeless.
i would like to know where you are getting those tubes at $10 cdn
@@franklaliberte1143 Yeah, that caught my attention too, as Conti butyls go for almost C$10 a piece at MEC.
have purchased Cyclami TPU tubes for my bike , i use the continental 5000 28mm tires, what i did is put the tubes in with a new set of tires ,rim brake carbon wheels bontrager aerolus 50s, with 100 psi so far after 1000 km have had no problems and with hitting a couple of rocks that probably would have caused a pinch flat with the butyl tubes no issues , for rolling I find they do give the impression that they are harder, however I find they feel faster ,however that is subjective to each rider ,
Brilliant. Have 2 spare TPU tubes in my Road and Gravel bikes. Super light and take up less space than a single butyl tube.
I use Tubolito on my road bike racing setup for triathlon and so far I'm very happy with it. Will very likely use those also on my training wheels once i have a flat on those.
Couple of tips I’ve found. If you puncture dismount asap. Rolling flat created so many extra holes. Also, try gorilla tape as patches. Sees to hold air ok.
I converted my bikes to ridenow TPU-tubes this year as well - awesome weight saving, so far no punctures, less space in the saddle bag needed and i absolutely love the way they sound on smooth roads (whooshing sound similar to deep section carbon wheels)
Did not notice the sound so much, but they are awesome, light, takes no space, and they retain air much better than latex (though still a bit less than butyl)
I did notice the sound, and it sounds like carbon wheels lol. I thought no one else had noticed it
Same wooshing sound. Cheap way to get carbon wheel sound ;)
@@user-gw6gg4cp6u I have carbon wheels, no sound out of them yet.
I use TPU tubes as spares, although I have not had a puncture in more that 10 000 km... I prefer latex tubes for the increased comfort and slightly better rolling resistance, but the small size of TPU tubes is invaluable as spares.
Your reaction to exploding tires did not disappoint. Way to put it all on the line for science. Wonder what your neighbors were thinking 😂
i've been using the ridenow and similar aliexpress TPU tubes for a while now. They are very much comparable to latex tubes. One major disadvantage: they are so thin that if you fit them into a tyre that has the smallest grain of sand in it, it will cause a slow puncture that you will probably never find because you cannot inflate them enough(outside of the tyre) to expose the very small puncture, even when submerged under water. So I would recommend fitting them in very clean or new tyres only and take a spare butyl tube for any repair on the roadside
How slow is the slow puncture?
@@mateuszmakowski2998 When just inflated, slow enough to do a ride on it, but the next day it's flat, and nearly impossible to find it
Pro tip on finding punctures. At home dunk the tube in water and find the bubbles or use a spray bottle with soapy water, spray down the tube and find the bubbles. Ride safe.
a piece of teflon tape ontop of the valve.then screw the cap on@@igvabe
Agree with the cleaning of the inner tyre and rim before using TPUs...
Notice they often come in 2 versions, eg 24 g and 36 or 38 g. The "heavier" version is less delicate, so easier to mount, can be used with rim brakes, etc.
Garage looks mint Shane 👌
Great vid
I use Schwalbe TPU, no issues after about 2 years, all winter long on my commuter...love these. 120psi on my race trainer.
Been on TPU for 2 years now, rim brake. Harsh UK roads, no issues so far, no punctures. On the RideNow currently
What PSI and temperature you ride at? Only on flat roads? I thought they don’t recommend using them with rim brake and higher than 75 psi because it may heat up on descent and explode… any feedback?
@Questioneverything72 with tpu tubes, there are normally 2 versions. I'll use the Ridenow brand as an example. They have the standard 36g version which can be used on both rim and disc brakes. I have this version and run them at 90-100psi, rim brake bike on UK roads and I'm around 95kg. They then have a 25g version that can only be used for disc brake bikes to avoid the tube blowout situation you are talking about. If memory serves me correctly another content creator (china cycing) looked at their extremely light (18g) version that they will/have already put on the market now as well.
I switched to RideNow TPU tubes several thousand kilometres ago. I prefer the way they ride to butyl tubes and I appreciate the weight savings. I carry 2 spare tubes. So 4 TPU tubes instead of 4 butyl tubes saves about 300g. I have had a couple of punctures which I fixed with the patch kit included with the set of tubes. Finding the holes is tricky. Best to have a sink of water and a felt marker to mark the spot. I also put some weight on the patches while curing to ensure they stay on. Not going back to butyl tubes. :-)
I set up a Trek 5500 loaner road bike with the RideNow tubes and use them as a spare in my other road bike that's tubeless. In Southern Arizona where the Thorny Things rule the roads, I run tubeless w/ Stans and hardly ever get a flat but use the TPU as a spare in my bike bag where the space savings is of great value. I have had two flats on the loaner bike since December and was able to fix them w/ the stick-on Park Tool patches after wiping w/ iso alcohol & clamping the patch with vice grips & two pieces of flat metal for half a day, hadn't had a problem w/ repairs.
I'm using latex or tubolito on my rim brake bikes, no issueswhile descending, not one puncture, they give weight saving equal to a wheel upgrade . So far very satisfied with them
Tubolito (the lightest version) have a warning on them not to use with rimbrakes, not sure if the ‘heavier’ ones have those too.
@@Stevenafoe the 25 grams are disc only the 40 grams are disc and rim brake, no issues descending with them and im 90 kilos
I'm interested in checking out TPU tubes. Thanks for the video.
I use Vittoria latex tubes but carry RideNow Race Formula for spares. I just love the feel of latex tubes even if they are a bit heavier than TPUs. I been running GP 5000 clincher for two seasons (close to 5000 km) and I haven't had a puncture as of yet, so I really cannot give my impression on the RideNow TPU tube. I ride in a TT/Triathlon configuration with almost even pressure in front and back at just below 100psi, but I stick to the good roads. I underestimated the the entertainment value of this video. It was really fun looking at you blowing up those tubes. Thank you for that.
For those of you new to TPU, do yourself a huge favor and toss the nasty rim strip in the trash and apply two layers of tubeless rim tape. You will all but eliminate those crazy ghost flats where the tube contacts the spoke holes or edges of nasty rim strips. The other benefit of using tubeless rim tape is when you do puncture, the air will leak out a lot slower.
Lol puncture happens on the tire side not the rim side how does using tubeless tape will prevent puncture leak to be slower??
@@jodaddyxxx I read about the tubeless rim tape from someone else that was having the same problem with ghost flats with tpu tubes. It solved my issue completely
Yes. The rim tape need to be flawless. Had some ghost punctures that after closer inspection showed to be on the inside of the tube. After changing to new plastic rim tape no issues at all.
What about tubeless ready rims, the surface might not be perfectly smooth...?
Use tubeless rim tape prior to using TPU or latex tubes.
Excellent in-depth look, thanks. I've been carrying one on my MTB for over a year now as a back-up. Haven't needed it tho
I used RideNow tubes for six months. They were great (held air well, no punctures, good ride) til temperatures got into the high 30s in July. After that, they would only hold pressure for a couple of hours. Checked for punctures, but weren't any, valves didn't appear to be leaking. Chucked one of the spares in and had the same problem, so back to regular tubes for the moment.
I had a similar experience, they held pressure when installed but after a few rides (with a lot of braking, carbon rims, rim brake bike) they seemed to become porous and wouldn't hold pressure overnight but when submerged in a bucket of water no bubbles although this was only with a few psi compared to the 80psi I run when in a tire.
@@MrJwmurph Are these 24 or 38 g TPU's?
I only bought the 36g ones, never tried the super light ones.
@@MrJwmurph I bought 38 g Cyclami on Aliexpress to test TPUs, after a few weeks/hundreds of kilometers (only) on road and some rough trails, they have perfectly held pressure so far.
That said it's winter here, so I have yet to see how they handle hot temps.
I noticed that my butyl tubes sometimes lose pressure, but not recently so now I wonder if those "leaks" are linked to higher temperatures (no flats for a few years so it's still the exact same tubes!)...
Some people recommend to use tubeless tape with TPUs to prevent any rub against the rim or at the level of the hole for the valve. Also make sure to clean inside the tyre, to remove any dust/sand, these tubes are so thin...
@@DR_1_1thanks, I'll try that. My rims have sealed insides so no tape and it can be a bit sharp around the valve hole and that's the weak point of the tubes. Thanks again for the tips!
I have used TPU tubes for over 20000km on a mix og gravel and road. And so far I have only had 3 punctures on a ride, one I found a piece of glass sticking through the tyre, and the two others where pretty much at the same time on a cycling path where the snow had melted and left gravel so people would not slip right in the tarmac. And they where shaped like small obsidian arrow heads, that I had to unplug from the tires. So no snake bites.
Though I have had 3 occasions where I have been on an all day ride, and the day afterwards one tyre was flat with a so slow leak I could not find it by squeezing the tube under water.
I’m using the non lightweight from Tubolito.
I've been using the Ridenow (standard version) tpu tubes for about a year now. I can't really fault them too much: light, pretty easy to install, holds air better than a latex tube and lasts pretty long. My only gripe is that when there is a puncture and you want to repair it, the patches don't stick. In my case the tpu absorbs the glue and the area is not tacky enough for the patch to adhere to the area, so I end up throwing the tube away whenever I get a puncture.
They have em on Amazon for about $10 US each (pair) with patches.
Switched from tubeless to TPU RideNow this Spring on the road bike. It's a lot easier to maintain than tubeless and I don't really notice a ride performance difference on a road bike. MTB and Gravel still makes sense for tubeless.
I was running ridenowTPU with SWorks turbo tires, with a relatively acceptable rate of punctures. Later I switched to Sworks Turbo Cotton, conscious of the reported higher likelihood of punctures.
I have to say I was not ready for how that would manifest itself however.
It was happy days for a few days, whereupon near the end of a ~30km commute, after all the efforts / faster sections, relatively slow, in traffic, standing to begin to push a bit up to an intersection, well before getting up the speed again properly, mercifully, the front tube exploded, pretty much with the sound and force as in this clip. The force of the explosion blew the tire off the rim, and it was only by unclipping one foot instantly, breaking as judiciously as I could, some magic, that I was able to get to a halt, keeping everything upright.
Since then I switched to maxxis butyl inner tubes, and true to form, have had a rash of punctures sometimes, including one each way on the same commute, (one of which being with another ridenow TPU, used as a spare, deflating less catastrophically, allowing time to stop in a more normal way, making a sound like if you allow air out of a party balloon), butyl tubes in each instance being much, much slower deflating.
I will say the owner of the shop who sold me my bike warned me exactly about this propensity of TPU to fail catastrophically, out of the blue, and I dismissed the idea, not least as somehow online there are a lot of people claiming they deflate comparably to butyl and less rapidly than latex.
I am a survey sample group of one, and so just anecdotal, but this has been my experience so just a word of warning.
⚠️
Ive been running continental butyl "race" tubes, but I put 1 or 2 oz of orange seal in them.
Ive gone literally years with out a flat or even a slow leak. It may not be the lightest but fixing flats during a group ride really and totally sucks. I can see the TPU as a good thing in the spares kit.
I’ve had the same with Latex tubes, twice. Terrifying.
I like the Tubolito standard MTB tube for the 42mm 650b tires we use on the tandem, when we don’t have tubeless tires set up. Big weight saving over butyl, they ride better, hold air better.
Recently picked a few up for spares, haven't needed them yet. Love the smaller size.
From my experience with the Ridenow, they are lighter and seems to be as fast if not faster than the fastest tubeless tyre out there (except those TT specific one). Done over 4000km on them and quite reliable.
Hey Shane there are also gravel and MTB tpu tubes. I have switched to Michelin power cup clincher tyres and ride now tpu tubes. Wow this is the lightest, Best rolling and most supple combo I've been running. It is absolutely 10/10. I can only reccomend. You save a lot hassle , weight to tubeless and with clincher tyre it is supple af. And the big advantage is that when you get a puncture it is a slow leak not a blow. So you can pump it and safely get back home. Happend to me once I need to repumps to get back home 50km. I've fixed it with cyclami patches and rides strong.
In regards to your comment about slow punctures with tpu tubes, I have had this happen to me before but I have also had one let all the air out within a space of about 5 seconds. Luckily, I wasn't on a downhill section.
I am riding Schwalbe's Aerothan on my rimbreak carbon wheelset for two years now. No issues. I took the Schwalbes because the where tge only one, which reached back to me, when I had the question if it is save to ride them even on carbon wheels. (Because they are getting hotter than alloy). So kudos to the Schwalbe customer care! 🙂
Thanks for the very well timed video. I have just this week purchased the exar and ridenow tubes for road and gravel (tubeless) spares @ ~ AUD$18-20 each online @ 99Bikes and CCache. Very pleased with the space saving in the saddlebag. Will also convert butyl to TPU on my road bike (rim brake Mavic Ksyrium Exalith with Conti GP 5000 25mm) after riding over a screw which also ruined the tyre and realising I had no new butyl tubes. Hoping the experiment goes well.
Keep me posted on how things go. 👌🏼
You paid way too much mate you can buy ridenow for $6
@@glennoc8585 please share where you get them for $6
I’ve been using the Schwalbe Aerothons for two years now and love them. I’ve tried tubilitos and wasn’t impressed with durability.
Good review. One of those super lites + a few patches is a good idea for catastrophic tire injury on LONG races and trips.
I can't see any benefit to converting from tubeless though. There are simply too many tubeless benefits for me to swap.
Having only two regularly ridden bikes being one. So checking tire sealant as I rotate a rear to front isn't a huge deal for me.
The biggest benefit being quite obvious on swapping tires. I often find two or three foreign objects (small thorns, glass slivers, staples, etc.) embedded in the tire where sealant prevented a puncture stop without me even knowing.
12:07 and I noticed that GP llama has a custom rug with his logo on it in front of the workbench 🤘.
I have the ridenow TPU, bought a bunch of 10, the quality is a bit random, I had 3 out of the box is leaking slowly, 60 psi lost in 2 days. used 4 other holds the pressure for weeks. 2 of them were used for my gravel bike with 43mm tyre and running at 30PSI without any problem for 7 months. I also keep 2 in the saddle bag for any puncture, luckily none so far on the terrible Scottish road
I’ve used the Pirelli TPU in the past. I think the best benefit is the space saving in the saddle bag.
I've been using CYCLAMI TPU tubes for several weeks now. These are about $14 on Amazon in the U.S. Unlike other TPU tubes, these have standard metal threaded valve stems. These pack very well into my saddle bag and save a lot of grams. I do notice a huge difference compared to my butyl tubes; as I have more speed when climbing with these light tubes. So far, no flats or problems. They lose a bit more air over 2 days than butyl, but less air loss than latex. The other odd thing is that they make a bit of noise when rolling that butyl tubes do not. So my verdict is that these are worth the switch if you're running butyl tubes: better performance, and weight savings in the wheels and saddle bag.
Appreciate your comment about Cyclami TPU tubes. I purchase a few last year and have only tried one that went flat sitting overnight after installation. I'm sure it was something I did during installation. Will try using one again this week. I just need to have confidence they will hold up.
Mine are still going strong since I left the comment. @@TexasNightRider
I am interested to hear your thoughts on how the ride quality (comfort) changed when you moved from butyl to TPU.
@@arunabasnayake5258 I did not notice any difference in ride quality, and I can report that I am still flat free since installing them.
Weird, I didn't notice any loss at all in weeks with the 38 g version..
Also they are 4 x cheaper on Aliexpress.
I’ve been running Foss TPU tubes for a year now (with Conti 4 Season tires 700x26) and zero problems. No flats. They’re so reliable they’re now my go-to solution for spare tubes in the saddle/tool bag. Don’t know if it’s the tires, the tubes, my luck, or all the above, but I’m having better results than even those running tubeless. Too easy to not use.
that lollypop at 3:15 is exactly how my tubes are in my saddle bag. i rotate them so the stems are at the top/bottom and it leaves a lot of extra space. probably not for everyone, but lower volume that the squiggle around the stem method.
I currently use Vittoria TPU tubes in two bikes, but I have found that the frequency of manufacturing defects (e.g., leaking air at the bonded seam) is much higher than with latex tubes.
I originally bought 3 TPUs but the pump I have threads onto the valve and after a few uses it twisted the valve right off the tube. I was really careful on the next two tubes, which lasted much longer, but in the end the same thing happened. I don’t see a regular pump causing this problem though. In my case I went back to latex seeing as I’ve never had any issues with them in the first place.
I've bought both tubolitos and Ride Now. Of the 2 Ride Now has longevity problems. After a couple rides, they loose their ability to hold air. Tubolitos are much better in that respect. Also, I do not recommend using them as replacement tubes in one's saddle bag - UNLESS you have a preasure gauge with you while out on the road. I've experienced blowouts when replacing out on the road. Take for what you like. These at least are my expereinces. CONCLUSION: i went back to butyl.
I have been using cyclimi TPU brand inner tube for 4000 kilometers. I gained 250 g in total from the front rear and three spare inner tubes. It also had benefits in rolling resistance. I've experienced this by going up similar times on the same slopes with less power. I would definitely recommend to everyone. I use it with 100-110psi pressure. After just a few days the tire pressure drops 10-20psi. It's not a problem for me either, I fill the pressure before every ride...
@ahmettopal6301 Did the ride quality (comfort) change in any way?
I’ve just installed the ridenow in my wheels last week. 2 rides in.. so far so good..
Keep me posted. 👌🏼
This is the first and only practical no nonsense review on these tubes I have seen.
I do not have the patience for the fun and games of those English wise guys at GCN, that think they are so pretty and cool. They ain't.
Great job.
Ride now tpu's coupled with specialised turbo cotton's for TT race and training wheels, lovely rolling and light.
I gave them a run in Darwin. Needless to say I'm back in team tubeless.
Cinturato Velo and tubeless is the best training tyre combo.
Oh and the instructions on the Ride Nows say don’t inflate over 5psi outside of the tyre installation lol 😂 😅
Nice to see a test like this you tubes would be good for maybe a touring bike application for weight savings or a long day out. I'm sure racing on them is fine too marginal gains 🤣
Bought a 4 pack of the ridenow tubes off Aliexpress for $37 aud with free shipping. they were easy to install, hold their air and have shaved about 150g from my bike (250g if you include the spares i carry!). Cant speak on longevity since i've only had them a few weeks, but as long as they hold up, I cant see any reason why i would go back to butyl. When you can get TPU tubes for the same price now, it seems like a no brainer to me!
I have fitted the turbolitos at £28 each they were expensive, but they do feel great! As I have bought the cycplus e mini pump I do worry they may melt the plastic valve.... there's another test for you to take up :)
5:48 yeah I kind of think winter in Australia it isn't that bad, I don't see three feet of snow 😀😃.
So many LoL's . thanx . Best video😂🎉❤
In my experience with TPU tubes, there would be a bulge adjacent to where there is a seam in the tube. This would translate outward onto the tire as well. Also as you mentioned, the ride quality is not as supple in comparison to tubeless or latex tubes for that matter.
I struggled with leaky valves on Tubolitos. Keen to try the ride nows as a spare for my latex. Tubeless sealant just got too messy.
I love them for the smaller pack size in the bag
I also have a Giant TCR in which I'm running TPU tubes. They feel fine but a tad more responsive than the butyl tubes I had before. What I have done on all my bikes is replaced the spares with TPU tubes and that had decreased the weight I'm carrying around considerably. I'm just waiting to have to replace my current butyl tubes before I replace them all with TPU. The Ride Now tubes are pretty reasonably prices online, so I bought a 4-pack of those.
Beware of brands that don't have removable valve cores if you want to run extenders, I can confirm the schwalbe aerothan tpu tubes DO have removable cores.
Love these tubes, but just had to throw 2 away. After only 2 months of riding (twice a week on that particular bike) the valves started leaking. Tried taking the valve top out and running some silicone around the thread, but no joy. Running another pair on another bike, but the valves are the old fashioned alloy ones. Had heard about valve issues and that it had been sorted, so either I was sold old stock or their longevity hasn't been tested. Will still buy, but only the all metal valve type (which are still amazingly lightweight).
Thanks! I can't stand the pressure loss from latex for everyday riding. I put up with it on race tubulars when I primarily raced tubulars, but I don't see myself getting any disc brake tubular wheels going forward.
I use RideNow TPU tubes (standard, not he super-extra-giga light ones) about 2-3 weeks now, and I think it worths the money. 👍 TPU tubes are delicate for heat, so you have to consider this using it with rim brakes.
The standard version (36g) is compatible with both rim and disc brake and I would only be concerned with heat build-up on rim brakes if I was going down an alpine climb. The superlight version is only compatible with disc brake for this reason.
Okay. I switched my spare tubes (in Aug 2022 with a big price tag €30 each) to:
2 x Tubolito (Spare Tube Sclaverand Ventil) 700C
+ 1 franz. Slaverand Ventil 80mm 18-28 42 gr + 1 franz. Slaverand Ventil 60mm 30-47 (Gravel) 64 gr and safed space and weight. No big news for you. Both in one saddle bag for Road and for Gravel always with me in case tubeless will not work. Yes. Thanks, Ralf.
Been using them for a few months, bike is lighter but the ride definitely feels firmer.
The durex box gets me every time 😅
I run latex on the road, with a TPU tube in the bag. I've been tempted to swap the latex for TPU, but I was just waiting for some reviews!
Another fan (thus far, 5-8k km total?) of TPU. Light, low maintenance, fast, good road feel. I don’t puncture much so can’t comment on repairability.
I have been using them for a long time now. Only complaint is that the valve I on the brabd I use (dont even know which one that is) didn't work with my "on the road" pump. Had to go to my backup (butyl) tube to get up to pressure again. Since them I have been riding with a butyl in the rear and a tpu in the front. And I had to look that up, as I really dont notice the difference after a few rides.
I've been running the Tubolito in my 25mm tires replacing the previous Vittoria Latex tubes. The combination of the Vittoria Latex with Vittoria Corso tires gave me the closest ride character to running tubies. The Tubolito TPU's are not the same feel as running the Latex but pretty good. The only issue I have come across with both Latex and Tubolito TPU tubes is that once they have been in use for a bit; they tend to stay "stretched" making tire changes a careful art. You have to be careful not to fold, twist or pinch that extra material when reinstalling the tire. Otherwise so far; so good.
That non-elastic stretching of TPU when inflating tyre is one reason why it helps to have some air (no significant pressure but like 0.2 bar) in tubes when installing them.
Though that helps also with normal butyls. "Boiled spaghetti" behaviour isn't easy to handle.
I've been running the ridenow (not the superlights) for over a year. I've had one flat. I do about 130 miles per week during the outdoor season. So no real difference in flatting than what I had with butile.
I've been using Exar TPU for couple of months now. I just wish they have it on 30-34c.
I'm TPU curious. I've got a few spare butyl tubes sitting in the cupboard. Once I'm through those I'll probably swap to the ride now tpu
I love Tpu tubes, they’re cheap as chips these days and super light, plus they take up no space as spares.
The only negative is that I find the ride on them much harsher than butyl tubes or tubeless. Has anyone else noticed this?
Yes! I felt the same but wasn’t sure if it was my imagination… the ride felt harder. Using Cyclami inner tubes.
Hope you do a long term review a few months from now 👍
Looking to change my Tri race bike to tpu, ride now ones, great vid Shane and some good advise in comments 😁
Ridenow TPU here too. All good, but on a bikepacking trip I damaged the spare one while installing. They are really thin.
Too expensive and I’m not looking for marginal gains, but can see the benefits of you are. Love the blowing up bit 😂
I carry two RideNow tubes as spares for my tubeless setup. They are lighter and weigh less than the butyl alternative.
I carry ridenow on my saddle bag on my road bike I didnt have to use it so far thankfully for the tubeless setup, I used gravel inner tubes ridenow on my gravel bike they been flow less