Very nice overview of the three types of inner tubes. 👏👏👏 Over a year ago, I bought a TPU inner tube as a spare due to the size and weight savings. Then I decided to go 100% TPU and replaced the butyl tubes on my wheels with TPU ones. What I could notice immediately was something not mentioned in the video, the reduced rotational inertia of my wheels when accelerating. Rotational inertia depends not only on the mass of the wheel, but even MORE on the distance of the mass from the axis of rotation (hub of wheel) as the distance is squared in the formula for rotational inertia. Reducing the mass of your inner tube by up to 100 grams, because the inner tube is at the outer most location/radius of the wheel, will have a noticable impact on the rotational inertia of your wheel. Especially if you do a lot of changing speed in you're riding. This can be another plus for TPU tubes. I bought my TPU tubes on AliExpress and purchased the RideNow brand. Free shipping to the US. I have been thoroughly delighted with their performance on my DT Swiss hooked, alloy, rim brake wheels.
Just completed first 500 miles on RideNow tpu tubes with zero issues. 100% agree with all your points. I feel you maybe understated how much easier they are to fit, also in part due to the very low bulk so the tube takes up less space in the wheel well. The weight saving increases with wheel size as the same tube fits a 32 and a 25 , not the case with butyl. Spent 2 years on tubeless. Will NEVER go back to all that hassle and mess. Just replacing the sealant every 3 months meant I was taking tyres on and off (2 each time, front and rear) more often than I ever did thru punctures. Yuk.
Tubeless with sealant on a road bike or a light gravel bike is one of the best marketing scams the bike industry has created in the past decade. Heavier than latex tubes or TPUs, requires regular refilling of the tire with sealant, the tires themselves weigh more than a comparable size non tubeless road tire, and particularly for disc braked bikes just major unnecessary hassle to deal with, while providing no meaningful benefit on a road bike or a light gravel bike. Complete scam.
Another thing to note. A TPU tube stretches to your tyre size, but it doesn’t shrink back. Tubolito covers this in FAQ. E.g. once you use the tube in a 32mm tyre, you cannot put it in a 25mm tyre anymore. Actually, you can, but it will be wrinkled. Tubolito doesn’t recommend going this way.
Why exactly would I try to run a tube I’m using in a 700x32 size tire in a 700x25 tire? I literally do not know a single rider, who has ever done that or would even think of trying it. TPU tubes come in different 700c sizes like all other road tubes for a reason. LOL
@williamko4751 Exactly. That was one of the dumbest non issues I have ever heard. Oh yeah, everyone out there is looking to run tubes sized for a 700x32 tire in a 700x25 tire??????? It’s amazing the BS people can fabricate to create a complete nothing burger of an imaginary issue. Probably some clown running tubeless with loads of sealant on a road bike. LOL
GREAT INFO...After buying a pair of Schwable tires tubeless with some will argue with Silca tubeless carbon fiber sealantthat did not work out after 300 miles these Schwable tire don't hold a plug at all. So I decided to switch to TPU tubes and patch the tire from the inside. It could be the tire but after this experience never will try the tubeless again.
I suspect that the increase in noise is because the thicker and denser butyl tubes you had before did a better job of damping the vibrations of your carbon fiber wheels.
I’ve been old school inner tube all my life . I just got a new build happening mainly for the disc brakes. Was looking into tubeless, watched a lot of info on them and decided I couldn’t be fafed with that goopy stuff. TPU looks like a great in between for weight and rolling . I’m sold .
Tubeless with sealant for a road bike is a bike industry scam. Makes some sense on a MTB where you are regularly taking big hits off-road. Is a stupid solution seeking out a nonexistent problem to cure on a road bike. Messy, heavier than a comparable latex tube or TPU set up, clogged valve cores, and requires you to regularly refill with sealant every couple months for the life of the tire. Total marketing based scam on a road bike.
@@ivanboesky1520 totally agree. I no even think disk brakes are over rated some what. I had a rim brake bike with ultegra 2014 ish set . And now am on dura ace 9700 disc and I know which one I prefer. Just to bleed and set up I nearly gave in, ( mind you I did full internal. Mostly for looks. ) I had middle range mavic carbones rims and the pads they sell with them and I could stop on a dime. I thought my disc would be an improvement. But not really. They squealed when on them hard and take more effort to get the same stopping power as my old rim set. I feel scammed to be honest. And don’t even get me started on hookless ! They just seem to be a recipe to disaster.
I am using TPU tubes since a year I am mostly happy with them. Here and there still a snake bite like on all other tubes. In my opinion they are the best tube option. The plastic valve option can fail when pumped with a hand pump and the force is too strong on the valve, it snap’s. I recommend to pump it a bit up before installing. I see only advantages over other options. Tubeless is for me not an option since you need to refresh the sealant every 6 month, I rather change a tube every six month.
I wish I had you here, I brought 4 tpu tubes to have ones that feel they last a day or two between pumping them up, unsure if we find a better solution that is much closer to butyl but I might go with continental supersonic in future
I have been using latex tubes for decades. I find them more durable than Butyl. Much more comfortable to ride on and easy to repair. I don't understand why people say latex tubes are hard to repair. Stop trying to repair them with standard butyl repair kits. All you need is a patch cut from an old latex tube and some rubber cement. The patch then conforms to the tube and you have hundreds more miles.
Good presentation. At @6:50 my experience disputes the durability difference. I find latex more durable and flat-resistant than butyl. Also @7:25, I have been repairing latex tubes with a standard butyl patch kit for years, no problem. Regarding slow leakage, you should be checking tire pressures for every ride anyway. That said, TPU looks like a good alternative, this latex fan will give it a try.
I fully agree with this comment. What I have is a mix of TPU and Latex. Latex is the most comfortable and I prefer up front. However I tend to carry only TPU spares. If I puncture I swap in the TPU. I then carry a latex spare or if on a long ride 1 TPU / 1 latex spare. So in general I always have about 2 of each on the bike. I repair pynctures tubes once and once only. Any increase in punctures is usually a sign of tyre wear and not tube issues. One thing sis you need ot be extra careful inflating TPU tyres, to avoid folds and not dmaage the valve / tube joint. So this + good tyres + rim brakes is no issue. I live near the pyrenees and heat on the rims breaking hard down a mountain in 30°C heat is not an issue with my carbon rims eaither. Could be with Alu rims though
@@davidmacvicar334 Makes sense to use TPU as a spare, since you need something robust to finish the ride. My snarky suggestions for rims and tubes overheating during heavy braking descents are (1) don't brake just lean and (2) disc brakes.
I think it often comes down to the quality of the Latex tubes. I run Challenge latex tubes and they seldom flat. I typically have averaged 2 or less flats a whole spring, summer, fall riding season. I also think some riders have issues with latex tubes flatting because they do not take care in mounting the tube and then get pinch flats. I’m going to give TPUs a try though because the additional weight savings and much smaller carrying size of spares is very compelling. I have no idea why anyone would run tubeless with sealant on a road bike. A solution looking for a non existent problem in that bicycle application. Plus it’s a heavier set up and requires you to regularly refill the tires with sealant. Just a stupid idea in almost all road bike apps. 😀
I've been patching up latex with regular parktool patches and it hold up very very well, unless it's 2 hole puncture like a snake bite then it sometimes doesn't work.
5 guys repairing the tubeless bike...says more than 1000 words! very nice video about the most discussed "technology". I will try soon the TPU´s as the hard season in the Alps is coming soon and I can easily save weight without changing my heavy Conti 4 season tyres or with a loss of safety (puncture wise).
Had mine on for 6 months now, brilliant. I have a small puncture from a thin piece of wire in the front but it leaks so slowly I've been too lazy to fix it just keep adding air every couple of days. The old butyl would require a patch. Mine came with a repair kit. Got a snake bite on the rear but the patches wouldn't stick , need to find those self adhesive ones.
@@stevenleffanue yay!!! I’ve been digging to find the best wax tutorial videos of yours to give to newcomers. So having a new one will be very appreciated 👍
I bought the same TPU tube you are showing direct from China for under $5.00 US. I have been using Tuffy tire liners in my wheels for years. They greatly reduce punchers but add weight. I would rather have the added weight than getting flats all the time. Living in southern California , there is lots of glass on the roads. The liners do a great job of stopping the glass. But now with the TPU tubes, the liners are not the weight penalty they were. Thanks for your review!
I use butyl patches on my latex tubes, it works perfectly ! And i also bought a "Ride Now" TPU tube as a spare one for my saddle bag. But i still prefer to ride with the Vittoria latex tubes.
Great video. Please let me add. If you use the Continental light butyl tubes as spares, it reduces the used space by about 50%. Anyhow, I'll give TPU a try the next time I buy some tubes. Low weight and small packing size sounds perfect for bikepacking.
Nice job. Like many I have gone back to tubes for the road. TPU put me off with the price, but as you stated, you can now get a pair with patches for $15 US. I carry a spare tube and patch kit just in case I get more than one flat (over kill maybe) but TPU is so small now I carry two tubes, no patch kit. We will see how they hold up, but for now I’m a fan.
Excellent video, as always. I've been using the TPU tubes on my MTB bike for over 9 months now. I've been out with her on all terrains and so far there hasn't been a single puncture. In addition, they are lighter than using liquid sealants. The only restriction is that it took me a while to get it right was the ideal pressure for the tires. Using the same pressure as with the butyl tubes, the tire with the TPU tubes is very hard and shakes a lot. If you use little pressure, the tire "grabs" more and the drag is greater. So it was an exercise in patience until the ideal pressure was reached. After this more than approved test period, I will also use it on the road bike.
I'm happy I didn't jump aboard the tubeless team as tpu clearly seems to be a winner for me: less fuss, likely lighter and cheaper (especially in the longer run not having to replace sealent every year).
Here in the States, the prices for TPU tubes run considerably higher than they do down under. I just checked a large online bike supply place and the TPU runs approx. three times the price of a butyl. I will wait a while before I make the switch.
2 Ridenow tubes exploded on my bike ! one during an ascent (I'd be on hospital for long if it happens on a descent), another one while I was sitting nearby and drinking a beer (there was no sun!). there are some weaker spots at tube joints which expand/get thinner, especially there are weaker spots close to the valve, on third ridenow tube i can see those spots very thin !! no probs with Tubolito though.
I have had six pairs of TPU tubes, from Tubolito and more recently from RideNow. They are unbelievably light, and they hold air pressure very well. But I have found that they are extremely prone to punctures, in contrast to the claims made by the manufacturers. I've given up on them because of this. I wonder too if they really benefit rolling resistance because they are not supple.
It's your tires or you are getting pinch flats from improper installation. I use Corsa next and have never had a puncture. I run over all types of crap. The ridenows have been solid.
@@kimwarner6050 I know how to install tirres and tubes so that they wont pinch. And these were on almost new 26 mm Pirelli P Zero Road. And i almost never get puctures with those tires and butyl tubes. I run anut 85 psi in front and 89 in back. Make of that what you will. That has been my experience.
I use latex. They are sensitive to sharp objects and need blowing up before every ride. But I have successfully patched twice with butyl patches. Still going to try the TPU tubes. Many thanks. I think tubless is best for off road...
I used the Ridenow TPU for six months on my climbing bike. Yes they saved about 200g over latex and tubeless which was great. But I found they feel hard and have more pressure in than they actually do. I also noticed heavy cornering performance was not as good due to less sideways grip so descending was slower. Then I double punctured so have gone back to tubeless for now.
Agreed with you. I use Ridenow as well. I first tried to use about 80psi in Ridenow tubes felt like the rear tire was coming off at some sharp turns. So now I’ve gone up to 95psi. Seem better not too hard. 100psi makes the wheel bouncy like shown in the video. And low psi punctures for sure.
One note to mention. Ive just got some ridenow tubes 24g and 36g. And its not just the valve that makes them lighter. The 24g are only rated for 28c and physically narrower than 36g ones. The latter can go upto 32c i believe Both mine have plastic valve stems, ive not had chance to ride yet... hopefully weekend. They seem to be holding air well, normally ride light butyl tubes and they lose air quicker than 2 weeks i would say more like a week. Be interesting how they hold up and ride. 👍
I don't know about you but I'm picky about my tire pressure. That means pumping the tires before any ride regardless which inner tube. For someone like me latex just becomes a few more pumps.
Great video! I have been sceptical about TPU tubes, but now since you explained them so well, I will try them out. That size difference is amazing. In most videos, we are told that some product is lighter, stronger and faster, but we are not necessarily told WHY it is so. You explained this very well, and that convinces me alot more than some typical marketing statement. Thank you for - once again - a very informative video!
Thanks "Wizard of Oz". Short after I saw your clip, I bought some TPU tubes. About 50% of the ones I got were deflating too fast. I noticed the air was coming out, at the edge of the tube and the bottom of the valve. I was able to fix that by pouring some super glue all around that area. I let it dry for an hour or so and the leak was fixed.
I finally got some TPU tubes and Continental GP5000 tires. Definitely a faster setup than the gravel tires with butyl tubes I had been running. However, after just 2 rides (50 miles) the rear tire popped. Luckily, not in a ride. Bike was sitting in the garage and just suddenly popped. Tried to repair with a patch and it failed as soon as I got up to 70psi. Going to give them another shot. I'm thinking I may have made an error on install.
I ordered a set a few days ago! (They haven't arrived yet). I have been riding latex for years, and want to give TPU a try. Latex are must faster than Butyl, I can't wait to see how TPU compares.
Brr have already done the test. Vittoria’s light speed tpu tube is the fastest tpu tube on the market. It’s .1 watt slower than the latex. ride now tubes are very close behind and are far cheaper. What they don’t go into is ride feel
I've just bought a 600 from Priority Bicycles in New York and when it gets here I'll get a TPU tube for it's road kit. It'll be coming stock with butyl tubes inside Goodyear tires, uh TYRES. When, if, it gets a flat, I'll see about that noise issue then. Of course it is a Gates belt drive with a Pinion 12 speed so I won't be using your PTFE paraffin formula. I currently own a Turi from Priority and it has the Gates belt drive too. I got 7000 *miles* on it before the crankset cog started creaking under pressure. I ordered a new cog because the old one was worn on the torque side of the teeth, but while waiting for the new cog I sprinkled some corn starch on the belt and the noise went away completely. After the new cog arrived I replace it and the belt, which had been the spare belt that had never been used and I could not tell the difference between the two. I know those derailleurs are super efficient, but I've had a Gates belt drive for almost three years and I've never had to adjust anything, never got my pants leg caught and shredded or greased. All I've ever had to do was wash the thing. The Turi is an Enviolo NuVinci 300% ratio rear hub and I've had such a good experience with it I decided to get the 600, which is named 600 because the Pinion 12 speed is a 600% ratio gearbox. The Gates belt drive is spooky quiet, at least with the Enviolo hub. I'll soon be finding out how noisy the Pinion is, but by all accounts it's not as loud as a derailleur. I know, I know. I'm selling the Priority bikes, but I'm not getting paid to do so. I'm just a big fan of the company and it's products. I used to have a vintage Schwinn Le Tour 10 speed from the 70's and I put a lot of money into keeping it going. But since I got a Gates belt drive bike, I'm never going back to derailleurs. They're just too much hassle. It seems I was like the guy that had a vintage Jaguar that had a distributor with points and a condenser and solid tappets and I loved to adjust the points and the valves every year or two, except with the Le Tour I was washing the chain and adjusting the cables every month or two. Now that I've experienced a modern drivetrain on a bike, I can't help but think of derailleurs as that old, vintage Jaguar that leaks oil and needs constant maintenance.
I switched to TPU ridenow tube just a couple of weeks ago, and I got my first puncture yesterday. My tires are quite old contis with way over 10k km on them, and they're pretty worn... So I was just thinking whether I should go tubeless or get a new set of regular tires and give the TPU tubes another go. By the way, thanks for mentioning the noise - when I went for a first ride on my TPU tubes I thought one of wheel bearings was gone. They're definitely noisier, at least on carbon wheels.
Quick correction - you CAN use TPU in 3D printing, but the far more common filament type is PLA. TPU is incredibly difficult to print with and some printers (those with bowden-style extruders) can't print with it reliably at all. Aside from the extrusion difficulty, 3d printing often requires supports and TPU supports are nearly impossible to remove because it's so good at fusing to itself and is incredibly durable.
the ridnow ones cost about 5 euros/dollars off aliexpress when you buy in 4s. I have had one puncture but looking at the damage it would have punctured a traditional innertube too.
In terms of riding i couldn't feel much difference, but there are difference of how much pressure you can pump in TPU, its just you cant pump more its like against wall. And if you have some small travel pump, its even harder. There is no more flex or room when TPU is almost full.
Thank you for all that Information! I wonder how safe the material is. Especially at high temperatures due to high mountain descending in combination with rim brakes. That's why I'll probably stay with butyl.
Great review! I recently bought a TPU tube for the compact size for carrying as a spare tube. I was thinking about replacing my butyl tubes in the tires with TPU tubes to save some weight, but your comments on the increased noise put me off that idea. I like quiet tire noise and reduced pressures to reduce the rattle of the bike.
Thanks for the upload Steven! Latex tubes are by far the easiest to repair. You use the same cement as with butyl and alcohol cleaned surfaces. The patches you cut yourself from old inner tubes or latex gloves. It's important to wait the 2-3min after applying cement (to both surfaces) before adding the patch.
@@twillyspanksyourcakes nonsense. latex tubes were around even before road disc was out there, especially where rolling resistance matters, i.e. racing. I run only latex tubes on three bikes (12000-15000km a year) and never have I had an explosion. Punctures yes, but there are inevitable in pneumatic systems
@@ribbyramone I guess the countless people who had blownouts on latex tubes on prolonged descents using rims are just imagining them huh? Also your experience alone is what matters in the whole world right? As long as you don't experience it means it's not real? Ok
Great presentation: well done ! I am currently riding on latex for cyclocross and light butyl for road. For the timetrial I am using TUFO tubular clinchers. Could you possibly expand on the latter?
Great videos just wondering where you would suggest buying TP troops from is it easy to buy me in bulk online or from a bike shop? Keep up the great videos
Thorough video covering all the bases. I'm running tubeless on my MTB and gravel bike. I do carry extra butyl tubes just in case. Never had a flat on the MTB, couple of flats on the gravel bike that didn't seal until I put in a plug. I'll need new tires on my road bike soon; I may switch to TPU when that time comes.
I picked up some TPU tubes last month. I have been using the BUTYL lightweight tubes, and have always packed the spares dusted with a little cornstarch to help keep them easy to work with. Are you aware of issues with long term storage of the TPU tubes?
That's a good point, durability, I had some butyl tubes for many, many years without any issue! It would be good to know about the projected lifespan of TPU to prevent flats and renew spares...
I've looked at them in the past year my worries were puncture protection heat resistance on a carbon rim brake. I used them in the winter months. Well that was thorough and comprehensive you may have convince me to give them a go. Also I was thinking I usually used compressed canister air for a pump maybe too high pressure for inflation the tpu?
@@steva_nolimits yes I have heard some horror stories about the tube exploding. But it looks like they're making improvements on the durability and compounding of the tpu I think the valve stem was a big issue as it was a weak Point that is now been reinforced with extra tpo rounded it I wouldn't try the superlight plastic stem at this stage. I would like to see Oz Cycles do a follow-up video about a long-term riding review and how it's held up on those rough Country Roads?
Happened to me on the etape going down the Galibier…….at about 60kmh, the front exploded coming into a hairpin. Only just managed to stay upright and onto the grass. Won’t be using them again if I’m in the mountains, but probably fine on flatter rides but then the weight saving is not much of an advantage.
I put these on my good wheels some nice 1500grm fulcrums alu's with aero spokes ceramic brgs - let's put the comparance like this; upon putting the basic wheels back on the bike it was as though id just swapped to a real heavy bike in weight and feel. The ride is 'light' (with tpu's), very...so to lower the weight and improve you bikes ability to roll longer, get some tpu imo 👍
Excellent video, covers all aspects on the subject, thank you for this. My personal experience on using Vittoria TPU tubes on Next 28C tyres has been different though. On the first ride I had both front an rear tyre punctures on snake bites. Pressures were correct, same as using latex tubes. Both tubes were unrepairable, so had to try a second pair of tubes. So far so good ( 3 weeks of riding) but feel like my tyres are underinflated all the time. Seems like the profile is stretched more and the feeling is like floating, in fact as if the tyre is not stable lateraly.. I have to increase the pressure 5psi min to get a stable ride feeling but then I sacrificed the confort and compliance I used to have on latex tubes. As described in the video you feel like riding without tubes and the noise has increased. But overall huge gains on wheel weight and reactivity on accelerations.
It is _almost weird_ how sensitive ride quality & drag are, to side-wall pliability. Seems like each tire style + compound, hugely favors not just a given rider weight + inflation level, but also a specific tube thickness or lack thereof! Most recently, I've noticed that _not only_ do the 2.8" tubeless-ready Maxxis eMTB tires on our biggest ebike, ride completely different with just ~20°F of temperature change, or ±5 PSI of air, but even switching between _brands_ of tube in the same size & approximate weight, noticeably affects the rolling resistance & ride handling. Especially noteworthy, to me: The low pressure version of _the same tire pattern_ handles _totally different_ & rolls much easier, than the traditional high pressure version of the same tire. Big fat MTB tires with tall sidewalls, surely make tube-to-sidewall interactions more pronounced, but the somewhat higher pressure required for skinny low volume roadbike wheels, also seems to exacerbate tube feel, in some other regard that I haven't quite figured out yet?
@@prophetzarquon1922 With 28 mm tyres I don't feel much difference between tubes. Also some people complain about TPU noises, but I haven't heard anything. That said I have thick tyres, Cinturato velo so that might be the explanation. It also depends a lot on the road itself... on asphalt with a flat and smooth surface, higher pressure is more efficient, while the same asphalt with some bumps and gravel would make a lower pressure faster... of course the opposite is better for rough terrain, where tubeless and wide tyres allow lower pressures. TPU is more rigid than butyl, it might make these tyres more appropriate for road, although their surface is smoother so it might create less friction on trails, too?
@@DR_1_1 Theoretically, the tube should be stretching _with_ the sidewall, not moving relative to it... but maybe? 🤔 Also: Holy smokes 28mm! 2.8 _inch_ is what I've been riding around town. I can't imagine feeling anything but road texture, on 28mm 😜
@@prophetzarquon1922 I'd guess latex tubes might move/stretch together WITH the (sidewall) tyre, but TPU is more rigid, so it may not follow all deformations of the tube... and butyl somewhere between those two? As you said some tyres have rigid sidewalls - and are less comfortable I suppose.... 2.8 inches would be for MTB, single track, descents, or a fat bike! but if you ride a big e-bike, 25+ kilos, 45 km/h, etc. I can understand that you need fatter tyres. I'm riding a CX bike, it came stock with 32mm cross tyres, and on the road 28 mm is fine, I used to ride 25 mm with higher pressure on my old road bike, so 28 mm is already comfy for now. I wouldn't have enough power to ride 2.8 inches, or much slower, and I'm already slow... maybe in a few years, with some "nuclear" help!
@@DR_1_1 I ride 2.75" up front & 2.25" or 2.5" rear, even in the city; for traction & float (lots of sand pits around here) but also for comfort. Weirdly (I did _not_ expect this), stiffer sidewalls make for a _softer_ ride, by allowing the tire to take the same weight at lower pressure. I thought tires made for low pressure would coast _less_ but boy was I wrong! The exact same tread patterns, roll _easier_ with modern suspension-bridge like sidewalls... I'm _excessively_ tall, so as soon as I get on a bike, all the pressures need to be near max or things get busted fast; narrow tires have never been a good option for me, because higher volume supports the same weight at lower pressure. For that reason, I coast as far on my 29er MTB as I do on my friend's carbon road bike. Tire tech is weird. It's no wonder investors keep falling for "airless" tire schemes. Finding exactly the right fit, is probably part of why so much disagreement about what's "best" happens. The wrong size bike is a _miserable_ experience, on a long ride...
Great information, appreciate the time you took to do that video. I was a bit hesitant to try TPU mostly due to price. But I have a question, will the patches hold forever? or does it just hold long enough to get home then you have to replace the tube? The answer to those questions will make me slide toward or away from TPU, thanks again.
Very interesting information you, our bicycle god, has to offer. Im not into superlight bikes but into sturdy maintenance free ones. I have no punctures at all, although i ride every day. I use so called tire liners. There are a few tricks in order to use them troublefree. You have to put graphite powder into your tire in order to lubricate everything, and you have to use a very sharp knife to make edgy ends of them flat, or make them sharply V shaped instead of edgy U shaped, because thick edges will rub into the tube and cause a flat. But only on one side so the V shape is more like |/ . Because of that you also have to use high tire pressure. The only drawback is that it could be that the carcass of your tire gets damaged over time but it usually holds up until the tread is used up. Also using wax instead of oil or grease on the chain is a big gain of maybe 100 times, and lots of cheap micronised graphite powder will improve it to about 150-200x. I put the same stuff into my tires for lubrication in order to protect the tube from the tireliners.
Urethane tire liners really are better than pvc would be? Not sure about the v shape-u shape advice without a photo, no matter how you cut it there's gonna be an edge to it unless you cover the whole tyre inside.
yes. the important think is that the ends are thin, because if they are thick and have an edge, the edge will work into the tube. if they are thin and have an edge, they dont pose a threat to the tube@@ddg227
As a chemical engineer, I recognize the potential flaws. It’s in the name, thermal polyurethane. Thank goodness that I haven’t had to use the CO2 cartridge that I normally carry in my seat bag. I guess I have to get a mini pump as a carry on! Thank you for confirming.
Thought about these things a long time ago and decided i couldn't afford them and thought they looked er fragile - before seeing anyone have a poke at 'em with a screwdriver . Cost ? well as you say I've just had a peek online and found x4 @ 16 quid inc patch kit so decided to take a punt. Anyhow cheers for a useful video and have a happy new year.
I’ve found them great, puncture proof and light, but if you’re using rim brakes it can be hard to establish if they are rated for them or not, some from Tubolito are rim brake rated
I notice that the Vittoria latex tubes come with some talcum powder on them. I'm wondering if this is intended to help in the installation/removal of the tube or it has something to do with trying to achieve less friction between tire and inner tube for a lower rolling resistance.
Very nice overview of the three types of inner tubes. 👏👏👏 Over a year ago, I bought a TPU inner tube as a spare due to the size and weight savings. Then I decided to go 100% TPU and replaced the butyl tubes on my wheels with TPU ones. What I could notice immediately was something not mentioned in the video, the reduced rotational inertia of my wheels when accelerating. Rotational inertia depends not only on the mass of the wheel, but even MORE on the distance of the mass from the axis of rotation (hub of wheel) as the distance is squared in the formula for rotational inertia. Reducing the mass of your inner tube by up to 100 grams, because the inner tube is at the outer most location/radius of the wheel, will have a noticable impact on the rotational inertia of your wheel. Especially if you do a lot of changing speed in you're riding. This can be another plus for TPU tubes. I bought my TPU tubes on AliExpress and purchased the RideNow brand. Free shipping to the US. I have been thoroughly delighted with their performance on my DT Swiss hooked, alloy, rim brake wheels.
He is quoting Aussie dollars which are only worth ~2/3 of a us dollar
@@richardggeorge Thanks! I edited my comment to reflect your information.
The reduction of circumferential mass is implicit.
@@peterwillson1355 increased acceleration and reduced braking distance; win - win.
TPU tubes are FAR more flat prone.
Great that you go in-depth about the environmental impact! Good on you!
Stop watching this monster’s videos! He was convicted of kidnapping and torturing his neighbor’s dog to death. He is a twisted and evil person.
Just completed first 500 miles on RideNow tpu tubes with zero issues. 100% agree with all your points. I feel you maybe understated how much easier they are to fit, also in part due to the very low bulk so the tube takes up less space in the wheel well. The weight saving increases with wheel size as the same tube fits a 32 and a 25 , not the case with butyl.
Spent 2 years on tubeless. Will NEVER go back to all that hassle and mess. Just replacing the sealant every 3 months meant I was taking tyres on and off (2 each time, front and rear) more often than I ever did thru punctures. Yuk.
Stop watching this monster’s videos! He was convicted of kidnapping and torturing his neighbor’s dog to death. He is a twisted and evil person.
Your comment detracts my plan to go tubeless...I just bought TPU tubes, so will give it a go.
Tubeless with sealant on a road bike or a light gravel bike is one of the best marketing scams the bike industry has created in the past decade. Heavier than latex tubes or TPUs, requires regular refilling of the tire with sealant, the tires themselves weigh more than a comparable size non tubeless road tire, and particularly for disc braked bikes just major unnecessary hassle to deal with, while providing no meaningful benefit on a road bike or a light gravel bike. Complete scam.
Another thing to note. A TPU tube stretches to your tyre size, but it doesn’t shrink back. Tubolito covers this in FAQ. E.g. once you use the tube in a 32mm tyre, you cannot put it in a 25mm tyre anymore. Actually, you can, but it will be wrinkled. Tubolito doesn’t recommend going this way.
Stop watching this monster’s videos! He was convicted of kidnapping and torturing his neighbor’s dog to death. He is a twisted and evil person.
Non issue. How many people do that. It is only 10 dollars.
Why exactly would I try to run a tube I’m using in a 700x32 size tire in a 700x25 tire? I literally do not know a single rider, who has ever done that or would even think of trying it. TPU tubes come in different 700c sizes like all other road tubes for a reason. LOL
@williamko4751
Exactly. That was one of the dumbest non issues I have ever heard. Oh yeah, everyone out there is looking to run tubes sized for a 700x32 tire in a 700x25 tire??????? It’s amazing the BS people can fabricate to create a complete nothing burger of an imaginary issue. Probably some clown running tubeless with loads of sealant on a road bike. LOL
GREAT INFO...After buying a pair of Schwable tires tubeless with some will argue with Silca tubeless carbon fiber sealantthat did not work out after 300 miles these Schwable tire don't hold a plug at all. So I decided to switch to TPU tubes and patch the tire from the inside. It could be the tire but after this experience never will try the tubeless again.
Thanx for relating your experience 👌
I’ve been using a pair of tubolitos for 8 months now without a single flat, racing over belgian cobbles at high speeds. They havent failed me ever.
This is a really great informative video, always keeps me coming back! Great stuff Oz bloke!👍👍👍
going to try them.thanks for great review. Fun to see you riding out there.
Extremely well done! Great balance of research/info/opinion. Thanks!!
Very informative. I watch your channel frequently.
Latex for riding and TPU for saddle bag spares.
Agreed. Latex is nice. Seam to puncture much less on latex. Tubulito are so so puncture resistant only
Great video!!! Thank you!!! Clear tpu tubes look interesting :)
You have the best, most informative bike videos!
Thank you for the detailed review.
Thank you for this excellent informative video.
Always enjoying watching your videos.
Excellent video!
Excellent presentation! Well done. I'm sold.
Excellent information! Thank you very much!
I suspect that the increase in noise is because the thicker and denser butyl tubes you had before did a better job of damping the vibrations of your carbon fiber wheels.
I appreciate the detailed environmental considerations. Thx.
as usual very informative and neat video 👌
Great informative video - thanks. I am glad you covered reparability as that is something I always wonder about with non-butyl tubes
Simply the best video on bicycle tube choices out there. Well Done!!
Very interesting. Thanks 👍🏼
I’ve been old school inner tube all my life . I just got a new build happening mainly for the disc brakes. Was looking into tubeless, watched a lot of info on them and decided I couldn’t be fafed with that goopy stuff. TPU looks like a great in between for weight and rolling . I’m sold .
Good choice. Tbh disks are probably a faf for most of us aswell :)
Tubeless with sealant for a road bike is a bike industry scam. Makes some sense on a MTB where you are regularly taking big hits off-road. Is a stupid solution seeking out a nonexistent problem to cure on a road bike. Messy, heavier than a comparable latex tube or TPU set up, clogged valve cores, and requires you to regularly refill with sealant every couple months for the life of the tire. Total marketing based scam on a road bike.
@@ivanboesky1520 totally agree. I no even think disk brakes are over rated some what. I had a rim brake bike with ultegra 2014 ish set . And now am on dura ace 9700 disc and I know which one I prefer. Just to bleed and set up I nearly gave in, ( mind you I did full internal. Mostly for looks. ) I had middle range mavic carbones rims and the pads they sell with them and I could stop on a dime. I thought my disc would be an improvement. But not really. They squealed when on them hard and take more effort to get the same stopping power as my old rim set. I feel scammed to be honest. And don’t even get me started on hookless ! They just seem to be a recipe to disaster.
Great video. I was thinking about switching to TPU, and you have convinced me. Cheers mate.
I am using TPU tubes since a year I am mostly happy with them. Here and there still a snake bite like on all other tubes. In my opinion they are the best tube option. The plastic valve option can fail when pumped with a hand pump and the force is too strong on the valve, it snap’s. I recommend to pump it a bit up before installing. I see only advantages over other options. Tubeless is for me not an option since you need to refresh the sealant every 6 month, I rather change a tube every six month.
I wish I had you here, I brought 4 tpu tubes to have ones that feel they last a day or two between pumping them up, unsure if we find a better solution that is much closer to butyl but I might go with continental supersonic in future
I have been using latex tubes for decades. I find them more durable than Butyl. Much more comfortable to ride on and easy to repair. I don't understand why people say latex tubes are hard to repair. Stop trying to repair them with standard butyl repair kits. All you need is a patch cut from an old latex tube and some rubber cement. The patch then conforms to the tube and you have hundreds more miles.
Very good professional and accurate review, thanks! I just bought TPU tubes and I am looking forward to trying them
You did it again, mate! Best reviews in town. I always look here first.
Excellent addition of the section on environmental impact! All reviews should feature it. Thank you 🙏
Good presentation. At @6:50 my experience disputes the durability difference. I find latex more durable and flat-resistant than butyl. Also @7:25, I have been repairing latex tubes with a standard butyl patch kit for years, no problem. Regarding slow leakage, you should be checking tire pressures for every ride anyway. That said, TPU looks like a good alternative, this latex fan will give it a try.
I fully agree with this comment. What I have is a mix of TPU and Latex. Latex is the most comfortable and I prefer up front. However I tend to carry only TPU spares. If I puncture I swap in the TPU. I then carry a latex spare or if on a long ride 1 TPU / 1 latex spare. So in general I always have about 2 of each on the bike. I repair pynctures tubes once and once only.
Any increase in punctures is usually a sign of tyre wear and not tube issues. One thing sis you need ot be extra careful inflating TPU tyres, to avoid folds and not dmaage the valve / tube joint.
So this + good tyres + rim brakes is no issue. I live near the pyrenees and heat on the rims breaking hard down a mountain in 30°C heat is not an issue with my carbon rims eaither. Could be with Alu rims though
@@davidmacvicar334 Makes sense to use TPU as a spare, since you need something robust to finish the ride. My snarky suggestions for rims and tubes overheating during heavy braking descents are (1) don't brake just lean and (2) disc brakes.
@@michaelclements4664 Only the lightest TPUs are not recommended for rim brakes, the 38 g are fine.
I think it often comes down to the quality of the Latex tubes. I run Challenge latex tubes and they seldom flat. I typically have averaged 2 or less flats a whole spring, summer, fall riding season. I also think some riders have issues with latex tubes flatting because they do not take care in mounting the tube and then get pinch flats.
I’m going to give TPUs a try though because the additional weight savings and much smaller carrying size of spares is very compelling. I have no idea why anyone would run tubeless with sealant on a road bike. A solution looking for a non existent problem in that bicycle application. Plus it’s a heavier set up and requires you to regularly refill the tires with sealant. Just a stupid idea in almost all road bike apps. 😀
About to give these TPUs a try. Thanks
Good review! Thank you!
ordered my first ever Ridenow TPU tubes (4 in total) in Aliexpress today. Can't wait to try them
I've been patching up latex with regular parktool patches and it hold up very very well, unless it's 2 hole puncture like a snake bite then it sometimes doesn't work.
EXCELLENT VIDEO - Thanks - looks like i'll be getting these
5 guys repairing the tubeless bike...says more than 1000 words!
very nice video about the most discussed "technology". I will try soon the TPU´s as the hard season in the Alps is coming soon and I can easily save weight without changing my heavy Conti 4 season tyres or with a loss of safety (puncture wise).
Great video, thanks
I just want to say that I really enjoy your videos, the quality of the information is great! I hope you keep with the good work!
Thank you 😊
How are you OZ ? Good to see you again 😊 , you make great informative entertaining videos as always
Love your channel !!!
This was excellent, definitely going to try them out on my hooked rims which are currently tubeless.
Had mine on for 6 months now, brilliant. I have a small puncture from a thin piece of wire in the front but it leaks so slowly I've been too lazy to fix it just keep adding air every couple of days. The old butyl would require a patch.
Mine came with a repair kit. Got a snake bite on the rear but the patches wouldn't stick , need to find those self adhesive ones.
I miss these kinds of videos. I hope you do more of these and any revisited chain wax videos.
Thanx. Next vid IS a wax one actually 😁
@@stevenleffanue yay!!!
I’ve been digging to find the best wax tutorial videos of yours to give to newcomers. So having a new one will be very appreciated 👍
@@stevenleffanue 😊
I bought the same TPU tube you are showing direct from China for under $5.00 US. I have been using Tuffy tire liners in my wheels for years. They greatly reduce punchers but add weight. I would rather have the added weight than getting flats all the time. Living in southern California , there is lots of glass on the roads. The liners do a great job of stopping the glass. But now with the TPU tubes, the liners are not the weight penalty they were. Thanks for your review!
Thanks, that was refreshing content. Clear and to the point. I just bought 2,but I couldn't find a size that will work in my gravel tires (38 to 45c).
Ridenow makes TPU tube for 700x32-48, weight around 85 grams.
I use butyl patches on my latex tubes, it works perfectly !
And i also bought a "Ride Now" TPU tube as a spare one for my saddle bag.
But i still prefer to ride with the Vittoria latex tubes.
did you test that spare? I heard quite a few ride now tubes come DoA and leak terribly. Would suck to get a blow out and your spare wouldnt hold air.
This video is a game changer for me. I’m going to switch. Thank you!
Great video. Please let me add. If you use the Continental light butyl tubes as spares, it reduces the used space by about 50%. Anyhow, I'll give TPU a try the next time I buy some tubes. Low weight and small packing size sounds perfect for bikepacking.
Nice job. Like many I have gone back to tubes for the road. TPU put me off with the price, but as you stated, you can now get a pair with patches for $15 US. I carry a spare tube and patch kit just in case I get more than one flat (over kill maybe) but TPU is so small now I carry two tubes, no patch kit. We will see how they hold up, but for now I’m a fan.
That is a great video, thanks
Excellent video, as always.
I've been using the TPU tubes on my MTB bike for over 9 months now. I've been out with her on all terrains and so far there hasn't been a single puncture.
In addition, they are lighter than using liquid sealants.
The only restriction is that it took me a while to get it right was the ideal pressure for the tires. Using the same pressure as with the butyl tubes, the tire with the TPU tubes is very hard and shakes a lot. If you use little pressure, the tire "grabs" more and the drag is greater. So it was an exercise in patience until the ideal pressure was reached. After this more than approved test period, I will also use it on the road bike.
btw TPU tube for max 32 tire size
I'm happy I didn't jump aboard the tubeless team as tpu clearly seems to be a winner for me: less fuss, likely lighter and cheaper (especially in the longer run not having to replace sealent every year).
Hi, can you recommend a brand? I’m interested in trying it out for my XC bike. Not sure about my more enduro-oriented bike. Thanks!
Michelin@@TheJofrica
@@robertmcfadyen9156 Thank you!
Here in the States, the prices for TPU tubes run considerably higher than they do down under. I just checked a large online bike supply place and the TPU runs approx. three times the price of a butyl. I will wait a while before I make the switch.
Alie express ridenow. +-7$
2 Ridenow tubes exploded on my bike ! one during an ascent (I'd be on hospital for long if it happens on a descent), another one while I was sitting nearby and drinking a beer (there was no sun!). there are some weaker spots at tube joints which expand/get thinner, especially there are weaker spots close to the valve, on third ridenow tube i can see those spots very thin !!
no probs with Tubolito though.
Interesting review! I'll definitely get TPU for my reserves and switch to ridenow tubes now
Very impressive 🎉
I have had six pairs of TPU tubes, from Tubolito and more recently from RideNow. They are unbelievably light, and they hold air pressure very well. But I have found that they are extremely prone to punctures, in contrast to the claims made by the manufacturers. I've given up on them because of this. I wonder too if they really benefit rolling resistance because they are not supple.
It's your tires or you are getting pinch flats from improper installation. I use Corsa next and have never had a puncture. I run over all types of crap. The ridenows have been solid.
suggest your tyres are worn. also generally heavier riders get more flats,
@@kimwarner6050 I know how to install tirres and tubes so that they wont pinch. And these were on almost new 26 mm Pirelli P Zero Road. And i almost never get puctures with those tires and butyl tubes. I run anut 85 psi in front and 89 in back. Make of that what you will. That has been my experience.
very interesting, thanks
Thank You
I use latex. They are sensitive to sharp objects and need blowing up before every ride. But I have successfully patched twice with butyl patches. Still going to try the TPU tubes. Many thanks. I think tubless is best for off road...
I used the Ridenow TPU for six months on my climbing bike. Yes they saved about 200g over latex and tubeless which was great. But I found they feel hard and have more pressure in than they actually do. I also noticed heavy cornering performance was not as good due to less sideways grip so descending was slower. Then I double punctured so have gone back to tubeless for now.
Agreed with you. I use Ridenow as well. I first tried to use about 80psi in Ridenow tubes felt like the rear tire was coming off at some sharp turns. So now I’ve gone up to 95psi. Seem better not too hard. 100psi makes the wheel bouncy like shown in the video. And low psi punctures for sure.
One note to mention. Ive just got some ridenow tubes 24g and 36g. And its not just the valve that makes them lighter. The 24g are only rated for 28c and physically narrower than 36g ones. The latter can go upto 32c i believe Both mine have plastic valve stems, ive not had chance to ride yet... hopefully weekend. They seem to be holding air well, normally ride light butyl tubes and they lose air quicker than 2 weeks i would say more like a week. Be interesting how they hold up and ride. 👍
Stop watching this monster’s videos! He was convicted of kidnapping and torturing his neighbor’s dog to death. He is a twisted and evil person.
I don't know about you but I'm picky about my tire pressure. That means pumping the tires before any ride regardless which inner tube. For someone like me latex just becomes a few more pumps.
Great video! I have been sceptical about TPU tubes, but now since you explained them so well, I will try them out. That size difference is amazing. In most videos, we are told that some product is lighter, stronger and faster, but we are not necessarily told WHY it is so. You explained this very well, and that convinces me alot more than some typical marketing statement. Thank you for - once again - a very informative video!
Stop watching this monster’s videos! He was convicted of kidnapping and torturing his neighbor’s dog to death. He is a twisted and evil person.
Why not try? 10 dollars to save so much weight, and you are hesitant to try?
Thanks for the awesome, very detailed video. TPU tubes are really getting cheaper and cheaper. I just bought 2 for 4 USD each, which is crazy low.
I am using TPU Pirelli tubes for about 1 week. So far so good. As a spare I have Chinese RideNow because they are even smaller than Pirelli :D
Thanks "Wizard of Oz". Short after I saw your clip, I bought some TPU tubes. About 50% of the ones I got were deflating too fast. I noticed the air was coming out, at the edge of the tube and the bottom of the valve. I was able to fix that by pouring some super glue all around that area. I let it dry for an hour or so and the leak was fixed.
Thanks for relating that fix , that's a great idea !
I finally got some TPU tubes and Continental GP5000 tires. Definitely a faster setup than the gravel tires with butyl tubes I had been running. However, after just 2 rides (50 miles) the rear tire popped. Luckily, not in a ride. Bike was sitting in the garage and just suddenly popped. Tried to repair with a patch and it failed as soon as I got up to 70psi. Going to give them another shot. I'm thinking I may have made an error on install.
You have convinced me . T PU here I come.
thank you for the super informative video. Have you found some brands working better than others, more durable? There's a bunch on amazon..
I ordered a set a few days ago! (They haven't arrived yet). I have been riding latex for years, and want to give TPU a try.
Latex are must faster than Butyl, I can't wait to see how TPU compares.
Brr have already done the test. Vittoria’s light speed tpu tube is the fastest tpu tube on the market. It’s .1 watt slower than the latex. ride now tubes are very close behind and are far cheaper. What they don’t go into is ride feel
I've just bought a 600 from Priority Bicycles in New York and when it gets here I'll get a TPU tube for it's road kit. It'll be coming stock with butyl tubes inside Goodyear tires, uh TYRES. When, if, it gets a flat, I'll see about that noise issue then.
Of course it is a Gates belt drive with a Pinion 12 speed so I won't be using your PTFE paraffin formula. I currently own a Turi from Priority and it has the Gates belt drive too. I got 7000 *miles* on it before the crankset cog started creaking under pressure. I ordered a new cog because the old one was worn on the torque side of the teeth, but while waiting for the new cog I sprinkled some corn starch on the belt and the noise went away completely. After the new cog arrived I replace it and the belt, which had been the spare belt that had never been used and I could not tell the difference between the two.
I know those derailleurs are super efficient, but I've had a Gates belt drive for almost three years and I've never had to adjust anything, never got my pants leg caught and shredded or greased. All I've ever had to do was wash the thing. The Turi is an Enviolo NuVinci 300% ratio rear hub and I've had such a good experience with it I decided to get the 600, which is named 600 because the Pinion 12 speed is a 600% ratio gearbox. The Gates belt drive is spooky quiet, at least with the Enviolo hub. I'll soon be finding out how noisy the Pinion is, but by all accounts it's not as loud as a derailleur.
I know, I know. I'm selling the Priority bikes, but I'm not getting paid to do so. I'm just a big fan of the company and it's products. I used to have a vintage Schwinn Le Tour 10 speed from the 70's and I put a lot of money into keeping it going. But since I got a Gates belt drive bike, I'm never going back to derailleurs. They're just too much hassle. It seems I was like the guy that had a vintage Jaguar that had a distributor with points and a condenser and solid tappets and I loved to adjust the points and the valves every year or two, except with the Le Tour I was washing the chain and adjusting the cables every month or two. Now that I've experienced a modern drivetrain on a bike, I can't help but think of derailleurs as that old, vintage Jaguar that leaks oil and needs constant maintenance.
I switched to TPU ridenow tube just a couple of weeks ago, and I got my first puncture yesterday. My tires are quite old contis with way over 10k km on them, and they're pretty worn...
So I was just thinking whether I should go tubeless or get a new set of regular tires and give the TPU tubes another go.
By the way, thanks for mentioning the noise - when I went for a first ride on my TPU tubes I thought one of wheel bearings was gone. They're definitely noisier, at least on carbon wheels.
Stop watching this monster’s videos! He was convicted of kidnapping and torturing his neighbor’s dog to death. He is a twisted and evil person.
Quick correction - you CAN use TPU in 3D printing, but the far more common filament type is PLA. TPU is incredibly difficult to print with and some printers (those with bowden-style extruders) can't print with it reliably at all. Aside from the extrusion difficulty, 3d printing often requires supports and TPU supports are nearly impossible to remove because it's so good at fusing to itself and is incredibly durable.
Stop watching this monster’s videos! He was convicted of kidnapping and torturing his neighbor’s dog to death. He is a twisted and evil person.
I’m in England but I Frickin love Oz cycle channel!!
great video!
the ridnow ones cost about 5 euros/dollars off aliexpress when you buy in 4s. I have had one puncture but looking at the damage it would have punctured a traditional innertube too.
In terms of riding i couldn't feel much difference, but there are difference of how much pressure you can pump in TPU, its just you cant pump more its like against wall. And if you have some small travel pump, its even harder. There is no more flex or room when TPU is almost full.
Wonderful video very educatìonal👍By any chance it is also the same chemical they use for those clear water bottle?👍✌️
Thank you for all that Information!
I wonder how safe the material is. Especially at high temperatures due to high mountain descending in combination with rim brakes. That's why I'll probably stay with butyl.
38 g TPU's should be fine, but not the lightest versions.
Great review! I recently bought a TPU tube for the compact size for carrying as a spare tube. I was thinking about replacing my butyl tubes in the tires with TPU tubes to save some weight, but your comments on the increased noise put me off that idea. I like quiet tire noise and reduced pressures to reduce the rattle of the bike.
Might be an issue with carbon rims mostly.
Thanks for the upload Steven! Latex tubes are by far the easiest to repair. You use the same cement as with butyl and alcohol cleaned surfaces. The patches you cut yourself from old inner tubes or latex gloves. It's important to wait the 2-3min after applying cement (to both surfaces) before adding the patch.
Plus they also explode
@@twillyspanksyourcakes anything that contains pressurized air, i.e. pneumatic, could explode
@@ribbyramone Latex are more prone to exploding especially in rim bikes. Tpu and latex both no go for rims.
@@twillyspanksyourcakes nonsense. latex tubes were around even before road disc was out there, especially where rolling resistance matters, i.e. racing. I run only latex tubes on three bikes (12000-15000km a year) and never have I had an explosion. Punctures yes, but there are inevitable in pneumatic systems
@@ribbyramone I guess the countless people who had blownouts on latex tubes on prolonged descents using rims are just imagining them huh? Also your experience alone is what matters in the whole world right? As long as you don't experience it means it's not real? Ok
Switched to Tubolito's 5 years ago and never looked back. Can't remember the last time I flatted on a ride.
Great presentation: well done ! I am currently riding on latex for cyclocross and light butyl for road. For the timetrial I am using TUFO tubular clinchers. Could you possibly expand on the latter?
Tubular clinchers are a good way to make tyres but the inner tube is very difficult to patch if punctured.
No Brainer. thanks for sharing
Omg i love a quiet ride. But would make for great spares
Mostly an issue with carbon rims, I guess.
Great videos just wondering where you would suggest buying TP troops from is it easy to buy me in bulk online or from a bike shop? Keep up the great videos
From Aliexpress
Thorough video covering all the bases.
I'm running tubeless on my MTB and gravel bike. I do carry extra butyl tubes just in case. Never had a flat on the MTB, couple of flats on the gravel bike that didn't seal until I put in a plug. I'll need new tires on my road bike soon; I may switch to TPU when that time comes.
I picked up some TPU tubes last month. I have been using the BUTYL lightweight tubes, and have always packed the spares dusted with a little cornstarch to help keep them easy to work with. Are you aware of issues with long term storage of the TPU tubes?
That's a good point, durability, I had some butyl tubes for many, many years without any issue!
It would be good to know about the projected lifespan of TPU to prevent flats and renew spares...
I've looked at them in the past year my worries were puncture protection heat resistance on a carbon rim brake. I used them in the winter months.
Well that was thorough and comprehensive you may have convince me to give them a go.
Also I was thinking I usually used compressed canister air for a pump maybe too high pressure for inflation the tpu?
My friend had them and changed them after a ride , when he was going downhill they kinda exploded and luckily he didn't get hurt 🤷, be careful
@@steva_nolimits yes I have heard some horror stories about the tube exploding.
But it looks like they're making improvements on the durability and compounding of the tpu I think the valve stem was a big issue as it was a weak Point that is now been reinforced with extra tpo rounded it
I wouldn't try the superlight plastic stem at this stage.
I would like to see Oz Cycles do a follow-up video about a long-term riding review and how it's held up on those rough Country Roads?
Happened to me on the etape going down the Galibier…….at about 60kmh, the front exploded coming into a hairpin. Only just managed to stay upright and onto the grass. Won’t be using them again if I’m in the mountains, but probably fine on flatter rides but then the weight saving is not much of an advantage.
I put these on my good wheels some nice 1500grm fulcrums alu's with aero spokes ceramic brgs - let's put the comparance like this; upon putting the basic wheels back on the bike it was as though id just swapped to a real heavy bike in weight and feel. The ride is 'light' (with tpu's), very...so to lower the weight and improve you bikes ability to roll longer, get some tpu imo 👍
Excellent video, covers all aspects on the subject, thank you for this. My personal experience on using Vittoria TPU tubes on Next 28C tyres has been different though. On the first ride I had both front an rear tyre punctures on snake bites. Pressures were correct, same as using latex tubes. Both tubes were unrepairable, so had to try a second pair of tubes. So far so good ( 3 weeks of riding) but feel like my tyres are underinflated all the time. Seems like the profile is stretched more and the feeling is like floating, in fact as if the tyre is not stable lateraly.. I have to increase the pressure 5psi min to get a stable ride feeling but then I sacrificed the confort and compliance I used to have on latex tubes. As described in the video you feel like riding without tubes and the noise has increased. But overall huge gains on wheel weight and reactivity on accelerations.
It is _almost weird_ how sensitive ride quality & drag are, to side-wall pliability. Seems like each tire style + compound, hugely favors not just a given rider weight + inflation level, but also a specific tube thickness or lack thereof!
Most recently, I've noticed that _not only_ do the 2.8" tubeless-ready Maxxis eMTB tires on our biggest ebike, ride completely different with just ~20°F of temperature change, or ±5 PSI of air, but even switching between _brands_ of tube in the same size & approximate weight, noticeably affects the rolling resistance & ride handling. Especially noteworthy, to me: The low pressure version of _the same tire pattern_ handles _totally different_ & rolls much easier, than the traditional high pressure version of the same tire.
Big fat MTB tires with tall sidewalls, surely make tube-to-sidewall interactions more pronounced, but the somewhat higher pressure required for skinny low volume roadbike wheels, also seems to exacerbate tube feel, in some other regard that I haven't quite figured out yet?
@@prophetzarquon1922 With 28 mm tyres I don't feel much difference between tubes. Also some people complain about TPU noises, but I haven't heard anything. That said I have thick tyres, Cinturato velo so that might be the explanation.
It also depends a lot on the road itself... on asphalt with a flat and smooth surface, higher pressure is more efficient, while the same asphalt with some bumps and gravel would make a lower pressure faster... of course the opposite is better for rough terrain, where tubeless and wide tyres allow lower pressures.
TPU is more rigid than butyl, it might make these tyres more appropriate for road, although their surface is smoother so it might create less friction on trails, too?
@@DR_1_1 Theoretically, the tube should be stretching _with_ the sidewall, not moving relative to it... but maybe? 🤔 Also: Holy smokes 28mm! 2.8 _inch_ is what I've been riding around town. I can't imagine feeling anything but road texture, on 28mm 😜
@@prophetzarquon1922 I'd guess latex tubes might move/stretch together WITH the (sidewall) tyre, but TPU is more rigid, so it may not follow all deformations of the tube... and butyl somewhere between those two? As you said some tyres have rigid sidewalls - and are less comfortable I suppose....
2.8 inches would be for MTB, single track, descents, or a fat bike! but if you ride a big e-bike, 25+ kilos, 45 km/h, etc. I can understand that you need fatter tyres. I'm riding a CX bike, it came stock with 32mm cross tyres, and on the road 28 mm is fine, I used to ride 25 mm with higher pressure on my old road bike, so 28 mm is already comfy for now.
I wouldn't have enough power to ride 2.8 inches, or much slower, and I'm already slow... maybe in a few years, with some "nuclear" help!
@@DR_1_1 I ride 2.75" up front & 2.25" or 2.5" rear, even in the city; for traction & float (lots of sand pits around here) but also for comfort.
Weirdly (I did _not_ expect this), stiffer sidewalls make for a _softer_ ride, by allowing the tire to take the same weight at lower pressure. I thought tires made for low pressure would coast _less_ but boy was I wrong! The exact same tread patterns, roll _easier_ with modern suspension-bridge like sidewalls...
I'm _excessively_ tall, so as soon as I get on a bike, all the pressures need to be near max or things get busted fast; narrow tires have never been a good option for me, because higher volume supports the same weight at lower pressure. For that reason, I coast as far on my 29er MTB as I do on my friend's carbon road bike.
Tire tech is weird. It's no wonder investors keep falling for "airless" tire schemes.
Finding exactly the right fit, is probably part of why so much disagreement about what's "best" happens. The wrong size bike is a _miserable_ experience, on a long ride...
Great information, appreciate the time you took to do that video. I was a bit hesitant to try TPU mostly due to price. But I have a question, will the patches hold forever? or does it just hold long enough to get home then you have to replace the tube? The answer to those questions will make me slide toward or away from TPU, thanks again.
Patches are permanent just like on butyl tubes.
Very interesting information you, our bicycle god, has to offer. Im not into superlight bikes but into sturdy maintenance free ones. I have no punctures at all, although i ride every day. I use so called tire liners. There are a few tricks in order to use them troublefree. You have to put graphite powder into your tire in order to lubricate everything, and you have to use a very sharp knife to make edgy ends of them flat, or make them sharply V shaped instead of edgy U shaped, because thick edges will rub into the tube and cause a flat. But only on one side so the V shape is more like |/ . Because of that you also have to use high tire pressure. The only drawback is that it could be that the carcass of your tire gets damaged over time but it usually holds up until the tread is used up. Also using wax instead of oil or grease on the chain is a big gain of maybe 100 times, and lots of cheap micronised graphite powder will improve it to about 150-200x. I put the same stuff into my tires for lubrication in order to protect the tube from the tireliners.
Urethane tire liners really are better than pvc would be? Not sure about the v shape-u shape advice without a photo, no matter how you cut it there's gonna be an edge to it unless you cover the whole tyre inside.
yes. the important think is that the ends are thin, because if they are thick and have an edge, the edge will work into the tube. if they are thin and have an edge, they dont pose a threat to the tube@@ddg227
Great video Steven 👍🏼 thank you. Do you inflate them at same pressure as the butil ones?
Yes same pressures as butyl tubes
i've found the ultralight TPU tubes (less than 21g) to be mostly useless but standard weight TPU's have been great.
Great reviews. One factor I did not see in your review was how TPU behave when inflate using CO2.
TPU is a plastic. It will go brittle from the extreme cold from a CO2 inflation and will likely shatter.
As a chemical engineer, I recognize the potential flaws. It’s in the name, thermal polyurethane. Thank goodness that I haven’t had to use the CO2 cartridge that I normally carry in my seat bag. I guess I have to get a mini pump as a carry on! Thank you for confirming.
Thought about these things a long time ago and decided i couldn't afford them and thought they looked er fragile - before seeing anyone have a poke at 'em with a screwdriver . Cost ? well as you say I've just had a peek online and found x4 @ 16 quid inc patch kit so decided to take a punt. Anyhow cheers for a useful video and have a happy new year.
I’ve found them great, puncture proof and light, but if you’re using rim brakes it can be hard to establish if they are rated for them or not, some from Tubolito are rim brake rated
Don't use the lightest TPU version for rim's, the 38 g should be fine though.
I notice that the Vittoria latex tubes come with some talcum powder on them. I'm wondering if this is intended to help in the installation/removal of the tube or it has something to do with trying to achieve less friction between tire and inner tube for a lower rolling resistance.
Yes latex is very grabby so talc allows easier installation.