Anyone running TPU inner tubes yet?

[bikeworkshop]

Apparently they will patch with ParkGP2 glueless patches...we'll see.

50:50 from a dozen repairs with Park.
Sometimes it's fine for 100 miles, then leaks

I'm just surprised all the manufacturers claim lower puncture rates than butyl, when I haven't found any long term user who agreed.

 

[Russell]

The first place to look for weight savings is the rider…but that’s isn’t so much fun/easy.

Truth.

 

[ChromeChainstay]

butyl is thicker, cheaper and i rarely get flats. i am lucky, for now

don't get me started on hookless rims btw

what will the bike industry think of next ¿

 

[MartinB123]

I rate them - about £4 from Aliexpress!

 

[bikeworkshop]

what will the bike industry think of next ¿

Er...solid tyres?
(On their 20 year cycle they are due quite soon)

 

[Malloski]

Shaves 2 sec off you pb.....but you will be 20 mins late home having fixed 3 punctures and thrown them into a hedge....

good point!

 

[7Speed]

have some on my Brompton and they are a nightmare for practicality. The valve seals went on two and they don’t hold air as well as butyl in my experience. Quite a lot more punctures - and I never get punctures . I even switched to QRs on the bike as I was changing them so often. Now back to butyl.

Feel like a race/ weight item - rotating mass takes a lot more energy to accelerate - especially as distance from the axle gets greater, so it’s the right place to save weight vs dynamically static weight.That said - tubeless is probably a better option? I say this as someone that hates tubeless.

Update - As expected the Puncture Fairies were listening and took revenge on my commute this morning. I will repair the old tub tonight and hope this satisfies them for a while.

 

[novocaine]

Update - As expected the Puncture Fairies were listening and took revenge on my commute this morning. I will repair the old tub tonight and hope this satisfies them for a while.

they will not be happy till you've replaced the tube.

 

[7Speed]

they will not be happy till you've replaced the tube.

Good advice - binned the tube - best not to provoke them.

 

[dirttorpedo]

Example:

RideNow Ultralight TPU Inner Tubes | Road/Gravel | 36/45 grams

Craft Cadence has partnered with RideNow to bring the latest TPU inner tube technology to the masses. Light, compact and performance oriented, these tubes are a perfect complement to our essentials case and bags. Version: Production batch at February 2024 Updated features: new bonded valve...

craftcadence.com

I am tempted. However, some people say that these make comfort worse, while others say they improve comfort?!

Comfort is my priority on a road bike with drops, although the weight saving would be welcome too.

Has anyone got any real-world experience on how these affect comfort and handling?

Cheers.

I'm running that exact brand on my 2014 titanium road bike. Campy Zonda wheels, tpu tubes and Vittoria Corsa 2.0 G tires is my set up. I honestly can't tell you if I'm any faster on the bike or if the ride is more comfortable with butyl tubes. I only switched over last year and ran them for a full summer season with no punctures. They are so thin thought I'm always worried about damaging them when I install them. You should also be aware that they stretch to fit the tire you set them up on, so you probably should only use a tube stretched to 25mm on a 25mm tire or larger in the future.

My package came with the puncture repair kit, but I haven't had to use them. My friend bought a batch of the same ones and found some of them failed quite quickly. I think we paid about $9 CDN for each tube so not such a big deal. They definitely save space in the saddle bag.