I ride TPU tubes all the time now. No tubeless! They’re as light as sealant and give a very nice ride. They’re also easier to install than butyl and way easier than latex. Hopefully prices will come down with competition. Ride Now tubes are the least expensive and I’ve had no problems with them. They’re available from Amazon and Ali Express. The Silca compact pump is by far the best pump I’ve ever used.
The M540 pedal and above models are all serviceable too. Allowing you to put new grease through the bearings. Also, the lighter pedal will give you better performance as you will have a lighter rotational mass. Some interesting products here.
Love the cane creek seatpost. Used to be called a "thudbuster". Reduces fatigue, increases rear wheel traction with a rigid frame, and assists with lower back stiffness and contact area friction too. I had one fitted on a very hot and bumpy off-road coast to coast here in the UK.
The eesilk seat post and Slica pump are great additions to my set up. You should also try the freeQence suspension stem. The movement is smooth, responsive, and adjustable. It saved my arms during the Migration Gravel Race in Kenya.
Personally hate the Muc-off valves. I had them for a few weeks, but they would constantly clog up with sealant. Switched to Reserve Fillmore valves, not one time clogged since. Its been 2 years. Best valves ever
@@3TZZZ I use the Fillmore valves and you can seat the tire with the valve core in the valve. The Fillmore valve is larger and lets more air flow into the valve so you don't need to remove the valve core to seat the bead of the tire. However, you can't really add sealant through the valve unless it's a very thin, low viscosity sealant, so that's a disadvantage for me of not being able to remove the valve core.
@@3TZZZ I do use a floor pump, but it has an air reservoir (Bontranger Flash Charge I think), so it's a bit like a mini air compressor you pump up to 160 PSI then release into the tire.
Don't know where people started getting the idea to not put sealant inside the inner tube. Of course you do. Sealant inside tubes has been around for a very long time and it works great. Actually I do know where... People are being marketed that TPU are so tough, they don't puncture. Which is ridiculous. I bought TPU innertubes with removeable cores, put some sealant in, and carry them as my emergency tubes. Then if I've having to use one and it gets a hole, it seals. But if you're my competition, follow ^^^ advice and definitely don't put sealant in your inner tubes.
@@marcdaniels9079 I went to buy a "normal" frame protection kit for my bike, the shop didn't have it and the mechanic said 3M was better anyway, never looked back
M520's are standard or me....Use them on my road bikes as well as my MTB's, gravel and my old CX bikes. Not bothered about the weight of them.....and you can walk in the MTB shoes.... Muc-Off tubeless stuff does me OK on all of my off-road bikes...
How does that saddle compare with the WTB Gravelier you recommended recently? I mainly ride a gravel bike but mostly on roads and tracks in good condition.
I do love my Gravelero. It pumps well, the constructions is great, and looks good. Just wish the high PSI ones had similar aesthetics... Got a Lezyne mini pump for road, the build just feels flimsy in comparison...
Those wtb tubes are great for saving space, however how many people are going to spend $30 on one tube? Doesn't look like they've caught on yet, hopefully the price point becomes more competitive.
Inexpensive? Saddle £125, WTB TPU tubes £35 each, Silca pump £125, Cane Creek seatpost £190. What planet are you living on, where these are considered inexpensive?
Would you recommend the WTB TPU tubes in this video over the Amazon ones in your video a few weeks back? I like the idea of a metal valve. Would be for a gravel bike with 45mm tyres. Thanks
Please don't recommend Muc Off tubeless rim tape. There are many other tubeless rim tapes that perform just as well, if not better, and they do not leave behind stubborn adhesive on the rims when removing the tape.
The only two flats I’ve had in the past twenty years were catastrophic - holes or gashes too large to patch nor would sealant do the trick. Pop in a new tube and I’m off. The first damaged the rim tape. The last failure gashed the sidewall but I was close to home; otherwise, could’ve used a dollar bill or patch to hold the tube in temporarily. Given those flats, I just can’t justify going tubeless myself. I appreciate the advantages, though.
Going tubeless mens you need all the tube/puncture stuff, get gunk everywhere when there is a big flat, and you need access to a compressor. Not cheaper.
Would a gravel bike with 40mm clearance be enough? Never done gravel but wanting to get into it. I wouldn’t want to take it into trails with roots and big rocks though since I’d feel safer taking an mtb if I wanted to do that
@@davidarthur I’m between a trek with 40mm clearance and a Scott with 50mm. I’m drawn to trek for the lifetime frame warranty. Is a brand’s warranty a big deal? I don’t know how often a person ends up having to make use of it vs Scott’s 3 year
@@Millicente Tricky one, you hope to never have to use a warranty but it's surely a nice thing to have for peace of mind. You're looking at a Domane not a Checkpoint I gather? Maybe the later is worth considering as it has 45mm tyre clearance
@@davidarthur Yes I’m looking at the domane but I’m looking at the e-bike because of injuries that limit the power I can output. Same with the Scott. The Creo 2 you made a video on recently was an option but I feel it’s expensive for its components
@@Millicente I hear ya. How about the Canyon Grizl:ON? I've been riding it and have a review lined up for Sunday, it's a real blast, and has space for 50mm tyres and suspension fork, I reckon it's a more exciting package than the Creo and the new Bosch SX motor works really nicely, feels very natural
12:45 Use Satori Animaris seatpost... There are spring and not a rubber buffer, but awfull roads where I am give me absolute feeling of this seatpost working. Suppose load on rubber buffer are more exponensial with travel than on my spring suspension seatpost and eat more vibration than bumps, but any of those are worth to be installed even on road bikes if You not zelous aero/lightwaight fanatic. I understand it is pricy, but Your lower back be thankfull about. P.S.: IMPORTANT!!! Do not buy any cheaper seatposts with linear suspension inline with seatpost! They are unspeakable garbage!
If I was logical and didn't have so many bikes I'd go back to using tubeless with @#$%^%$ sealant! And frame tape? Pah! My gravel bike is a Ti tool and needs to look the part - I've got my cosseted "Cafe Queens" for posing. 😎 The thudbuster seatpost always looks tempting as a way to get the power down, but if it is really rough, a dropper post will get the seat out of the way. An XC bike may be more efficient in those circumstances. Bottle opener/disc truing tool..... I'm still using an old freebie that came eons ago with an MBUK magazine! Keep up the great work David!
I bought 2 TPU tubes in each size I needed from Ali Express for about $30 for the 6. I run tubeless on all bikes, and the rare time that tubeless has failed to get me home, I have used one of these, and switched back to tubeless when I can. After 2 years, I haven't had to repair or ditch a TPU tube.
I ride TPU tubes all the time now. No tubeless! They’re as light as sealant and give a very nice ride. They’re also easier to install than butyl and way easier than latex. Hopefully prices will come down with competition. Ride Now tubes are the least expensive and I’ve had no problems with them. They’re available from Amazon and Ali Express. The Silca compact pump is by far the best pump I’ve ever used.
One of your best videos ever, super helpful insights on super helpful products. Love that these are mainly affordable. Keep up the great work David!
Glad you like them!
If you have spd pedals you dont need a bottle opener the mechanism is a great bottle opener
the ergon saddle is very comfy!!! It absords shocks quite well! impressed.
Got the small size, sit bones are around 12,5cm apart.
The M540 pedal and above models are all serviceable too. Allowing you to put new grease through the bearings. Also, the lighter pedal will give you better performance as you will have a lighter rotational mass. Some interesting products here.
Love the cane creek seatpost. Used to be called a "thudbuster". Reduces fatigue, increases rear wheel traction with a rigid frame, and assists with lower back stiffness and contact area friction too. I had one fitted on a very hot and bumpy off-road coast to coast here in the UK.
The eesilk seat post and Slica pump are great additions to my set up. You should also try the freeQence suspension stem. The movement is smooth, responsive, and adjustable. It saved my arms during the Migration Gravel Race in Kenya.
Have been testing one recently, very impressed though it does look mad
Personally hate the Muc-off valves. I had them for a few weeks, but they would constantly clog up with sealant. Switched to Reserve Fillmore valves, not one time clogged since. Its been 2 years. Best valves ever
@@3TZZZ I use the Fillmore valves and you can seat the tire with the valve core in the valve. The Fillmore valve is larger and lets more air flow into the valve so you don't need to remove the valve core to seat the bead of the tire. However, you can't really add sealant through the valve unless it's a very thin, low viscosity sealant, so that's a disadvantage for me of not being able to remove the valve core.
@@3TZZZ I do use a floor pump, but it has an air reservoir (Bontranger Flash Charge I think), so it's a bit like a mini air compressor you pump up to 160 PSI then release into the tire.
Good recommendation on the saddle, especially with the metal rails for hardier gravel riding 👌
Don't know where people started getting the idea to not put sealant inside the inner tube. Of course you do. Sealant inside tubes has been around for a very long time and it works great. Actually I do know where... People are being marketed that TPU are so tough, they don't puncture. Which is ridiculous. I bought TPU innertubes with removeable cores, put some sealant in, and carry them as my emergency tubes. Then if I've having to use one and it gets a hole, it seals. But if you're my competition, follow ^^^ advice and definitely don't put sealant in your inner tubes.
The frame tape is certainly a purchase I need to make for my new cube gravel bike
Just buy 3M helicopter tape, much better
@iainhuddart8496 thank you. I'll look online. Greatly appreciate the advice buddy.
Heli tape on all my bikes
@@marcdaniels9079 I went to buy a "normal" frame protection kit for my bike, the shop didn't have it and the mechanic said 3M was better anyway, never looked back
I think this is the closest I have seen Silca and inexpensive.
M520's are standard or me....Use them on my road bikes as well as my MTB's, gravel and my old CX bikes. Not bothered about the weight of them.....and you can walk in the MTB shoes....
Muc-Off tubeless stuff does me OK on all of my off-road bikes...
How does that saddle compare with the WTB Gravelier you recommended recently? I mainly ride a gravel bike but mostly on roads and tracks in good condition.
I do love my Gravelero. It pumps well, the constructions is great, and looks good. Just wish the high PSI ones had similar aesthetics... Got a Lezyne mini pump for road, the build just feels flimsy in comparison...
I have that top tube bag and had no idea that little hole was for charging cables 😂
I found the Apidura top tube bag worse than useless in heavy rain as I found while doing LEJOG , The Tailfin however I found a much better design .
Those wtb tubes are great for saving space, however how many people are going to spend $30 on one tube?
Doesn't look like they've caught on yet, hopefully the price point
becomes more competitive.
Those TPU:s are great!
Would you recommend going tubeless on a daily commuter
there is a 90mm travel version of this seatpost..... review pls ;)
I once broke the axle off a xt trail pedal. Not handy when bikepacking. The cheaper m520s are probably stronger...
M520s are indestructible I've had the same set over 3 bikes now on my MTB awesome pedals and like £30 no need to pay more tbh.
@@zedddddful i have the 520s on my commuter and you don't notice any difference with the xt while pedaling 🙂
Inexpensive? Saddle £125, WTB TPU tubes £35 each, Silca pump £125, Cane Creek seatpost £190.
What planet are you living on, where these are considered inexpensive?
I was thinking the same. Most of these suggestions are either really expensive, pointless or both!
Relative to the cost of a modern bike they are inexpensive. Sounds like you need to do better in your career.
Silca, Ergon, Apidura, how are these inexpensive? 🤡
Would you recommend the WTB TPU tubes in this video over the Amazon ones in your video a few weeks back? I like the idea of a metal valve. Would be for a gravel bike with 45mm tyres. Thanks
Looks like he's riding on Mt. Tam; nice.
Yup, this was a trip last year, absolutely loved it
Pedals - Shimano 540's are only slightly dearer but far lighter and allen key only.
Stiff pedals far better for MTB.
Please don't recommend Muc Off tubeless rim tape. There are many other tubeless rim tapes that perform just as well, if not better, and they do not leave behind stubborn adhesive on the rims when removing the tape.
Inner tubes? What are they🤷♂️
#Innertubes4life
🎉
The only two flats I’ve had in the past twenty years were catastrophic - holes or gashes too large to patch nor would sealant do the trick. Pop in a new tube and I’m off. The first damaged the rim tape. The last failure gashed the sidewall but I was close to home; otherwise, could’ve used a dollar bill or patch to hold the tube in temporarily. Given those flats, I just can’t justify going tubeless myself. I appreciate the advantages, though.
Going tubeless mens you need all the tube/puncture stuff, get gunk everywhere when there is a big flat, and you need access to a compressor. Not cheaper.
😂
@@TheRflynn don't need a compressor, you can use a weed sprayer, which I guess technically is a way of compressing air but a lot cheaper
Is that Ergon seatpost reversable? So it can be forward facing?
Would a gravel bike with 40mm clearance be enough? Never done gravel but wanting to get into it. I wouldn’t want to take it into trails with roots and big rocks though since I’d feel safer taking an mtb if I wanted to do that
depends on the terrain you're riding really, but yeah you can do a lot on 40 but I've leaned towards 45mm in the last couple of years
@@davidarthur I’m between a trek with 40mm clearance and a Scott with 50mm. I’m drawn to trek for the lifetime frame warranty. Is a brand’s warranty a big deal? I don’t know how often a person ends up having to make use of it vs Scott’s 3 year
@@Millicente Tricky one, you hope to never have to use a warranty but it's surely a nice thing to have for peace of mind. You're looking at a Domane not a Checkpoint I gather? Maybe the later is worth considering as it has 45mm tyre clearance
@@davidarthur Yes I’m looking at the domane but I’m looking at the e-bike because of injuries that limit the power I can output. Same with the Scott. The Creo 2 you made a video on recently was an option but I feel it’s expensive for its components
@@Millicente I hear ya. How about the Canyon Grizl:ON? I've been riding it and have a review lined up for Sunday, it's a real blast, and has space for 50mm tyres and suspension fork, I reckon it's a more exciting package than the Creo and the new Bosch SX motor works really nicely, feels very natural
Why do you sit anyway? I mean, to get out of the saddle, when it is rough, is the first thing to learn 🤔
I agree - descend standing on the pedals. I have a dropper seatpost on my gravel bike - a game changer.
Tractor tire sealant, dilute with water, much better and cheaper
12:45 Use Satori Animaris seatpost... There are spring and not a rubber buffer, but awfull roads where I am give me absolute feeling of this seatpost working. Suppose load on rubber buffer are more exponensial with travel than on my spring suspension seatpost and eat more vibration than bumps, but any of those are worth to be installed even on road bikes if You not zelous aero/lightwaight fanatic. I understand it is pricy, but Your lower back be thankfull about.
P.S.: IMPORTANT!!! Do not buy any cheaper seatposts with linear suspension inline with seatpost! They are unspeakable garbage!
If I was logical and didn't have so many bikes I'd go back to using tubeless with @#$%^%$ sealant! And frame tape? Pah! My gravel bike is a Ti tool and needs to look the part - I've got my cosseted "Cafe Queens" for posing. 😎
The thudbuster seatpost always looks tempting as a way to get the power down, but if it is really rough, a dropper post will get the seat out of the way. An XC bike may be more efficient in those circumstances.
Bottle opener/disc truing tool..... I'm still using an old freebie that came eons ago with an MBUK magazine!
Keep up the great work David!
Save a load of money; Use flat pedals
10 Great but Inexpensive Products, then Silca makes an appearance and the TPU tube is £32.99 plus £1.99 delivery 🤷♂
TPU tubes on AliExpress are for $5
Where is Silca? I saw WTB. All TPU tubes, as presenter says, are more pricey.
The frame pump was silca
I bought 2 TPU tubes in each size I needed from Ali Express for about $30 for the 6. I run tubeless on all bikes, and the rare time that tubeless has failed to get me home, I have used one of these, and switched back to tubeless when I can. After 2 years, I haven't had to repair or ditch a TPU tube.
Arthur do you ever clean your bike parts? 😢
Most of the time :) I thought I'd show some a little dirty just in case anybody questions if I actually used these products
Notably absent: GRX pedals 🤣
Look at the difference in weight 🤔
Umm, an 'inexpensive' pump for over 80 quid? I'm clearly riding in a different price bracket.
Never sit on your seat while descending. Ever! Stand on your pedals.
All upgrade are looks like Chinese products! Ali express…. Maybe duration one day not more than this
Muc off is terrible sealant...🫣
I think they are fine just not the best
Silca is the answer
True. Works great at sealing but dries fast as opposed to stan’s race and silca
what about orange?
I bought 5 liters don’t know where to dispose it now 😂