Any long term TPU tube users on here

[accountdeleted]

Hack repair to a high pressure tube. What could possibly go wrong ?

No thanks.

Can you quantify what you mean by "high pressure"? If it's not "high pressure," would you have said yes thanks?

 

[fossyant]

Can you quantify what you mean by "high pressure"? If it's not "high pressure," would you have said yes thanks?

30 PSI is considered low - A blow out at that pressure will see you on the ground very quickly. This happened last year on my commuter - thank god it was on a path at less than 12 mph, and not the main road - caused by a less than a year old tyre failing.

I'm assuming you are using TPU on a road bike, so 70 PSI plus ?

A blowout can be very nasty. Not worth the risk of a dodgy (at best) repair.

 

[N0bodyOfTheGoat]

Am I right in thinking latex tubes for a 700x45-48mm ish tyre don't exist, so TPU is my only non-tubeless option besides TPU tubes?
I've used Vittoria road bike latex tyres for years on tyres 23-32mm, I know but never bought their larger size, which appear to be only 30-38mm according to Sigma.

Me kitted up to ride in spring-autumn would currently weigh ~96Kg with bits and bobs in pockets, plus the ebike ~17Kg with two bidons.

Anyone with that ballpark total system weight riding on cheap TPU options?

While I'm trying to re-lose ~2Kg put on over Xmas, I guess it would be far more sensible to buy reinforced TPU tubes for me and ebike, something like the ~£20 Pirelli Cinturato SmarTUBE X TPU at Merlin?
The 40-50mm version I'd need for 45mm Caracal Race tyres weigh ~150g, apparently only ~10g lighter than the ~£3 42-50mm Pirelli Gravel Sport butyl tubes, albeit no idea of rolling resistance diffence at this point!

 

[De Sisti]

I use TPU tubes (the Ride Now ones from AliExpress) I've even patched one without any issues and it's still going strong. I follow the instructions in the patch kit and make sure I don't over-inflate them (90 psi max for me, in 25 mm or 28 mm tyres).

 

[N0bodyOfTheGoat]

Still trying to get my head around the different Pirelli TPU tubes for 700x40-47mm tyres and I've just come across another TPU big brand.

Anyone any experiences with WTB Nano Air tubes? The 33-47mm variant looks to be available for ~£23 at least, so similar to Pirelli offerings, but also comes with two patches.

 

[Dan Lotus]

Still trying to get my head around the different Pirelli TPU tubes for 700x40-47mm tyres and I've just come across another TPU big brand.

Anyone any experiences with WTB Nano Air tubes? The 33-47mm variant looks to be available for ~£23 at least, so similar to Pirelli offerings, but also comes with two patches.

I've no experience of the WTB ones unfortunately, but I do have narrower Pirelli ones in my Addicts wheels.
They've been faultless, and Amazon used to stock the 60mm variants frequently for ~£15 each, so I have amassed a small stock of them - sadly no more it would seem.
They are a beautiful shade of yellow, bit gutting they are hidden inside the tyre - transparent tyres anyone........

Have you considered the Craft Cadence options? Tubes
Their gravel ones have a 65mm valve, and say they are for 32-45mm tyres.
I've bought some, but yet to actually use any - the 4 for 3 offer makes them rather decent value, and in fact when I messaged them they allowed me to order 8 for the price of 6 and so obtain free postage - otherwise not available.
EDIT: Tell a lie, they have now added that option on, which makes them just under £13 a pop.

I bought a tubolito repair kit, but have yet to call on it's services - Craft Cadence also sell a kit, but it's not an instant one, sounds a proper manual glue one, but arguably that could be better for at home repairs after the fact.

 

[N0bodyOfTheGoat]

Have you considered the Craft Cadence options? Tubes
Their gravel ones have a 65mm valve, and say they are for 32-45mm tyres.
I've bought some, but yet to actually use any - the 4 for 3 offer makes them rather decent value, and in fact when I messaged them they allowed me to order 8 for the price of 6 and so obtain free postage - otherwise not available.
EDIT: Tell a lie, they have now added that option on, which makes them just under £13 a pop.

Must admit never heard of the brand or their site before, if they're a safe bet, four TPU tubes for ~£51 makes them almost the same price I typically pay for Vittoria latex tubes.

Thinking of buying a either two 40mm Caracal Race for my gravel ebike, or perhaps one for the rear and a Pirelli P Zero 40mm for the front, then some low rolling resistance tubes inside them depending on cost and durability (no punctures on butyl tubes on ebike, no punctures on road bike with latex tubes for ~5 years, albeit I've done far less outdoor rides in recent years).

 

[Dan Lotus]

In our household we have 2 ride wallet thingies from them, 2 bar bags, 1 electric pump, and one top tube bag, and now these tubes.
I've been impressed with all of the items personally, it feels like they put a lot of effort into the designs, and when I've had queries/requests they generally seem quick to respond.

Do you still use (And plan to carry on using) Latex tubes?

 

[N0bodyOfTheGoat]

In our household we have 2 ride wallet thingies from them, 2 bar bags, 1 electric pump, and one top tube bag, and now these tubes.
I've been impressed with all of the items personally, it feels like they put a lot of effort into the designs, and when I've had queries/requests they generally seem quick to respond.

Do you still use (And plan to carry on using) Latex tubes?

My road bike still has latex tubes on my Vel 50 RL wheel set with 27/30mm Pro One/ GP5000 tyres respectively on them.

My hybrid has only ever had butyl tubes, although I've often thought about buying 30-38mm latex tubes for it.

I'll probably continue to buy latex tubes, but I've been curious about the tpu bandwagon for a year or so, if I go for 4 for 3 I might mix gravel and road bike sizes.

 

[sasquath]

Update - the air is holding with Gorrila glue (polyurethane glue - water activation version) after 290miles so I'm seeing this as a good repair hack.

One observation is that this repair was done on a brand new TPU tube (which happened to have a pin prick out of the package!). I attempted another repair on a tube that's had ~2,600miles (7-8months over spring & summer); the same repair hack didn't work on this despite attempting three times (pumped the tube to 5psi on its own but deflates completely overnight).

I'm somewhat wondering that TPU tubes wear out with use over time and the repairability reduces with it... does TPU (plastic) tube perish over time noticeably compared to bytul (rubber) tube?!

TPU is highly higroscopic - absorbs water up to 10% by weight. Unless you're converting from tubeless your wheels are not hermetic -> tubes absorb moisture - > glues don't stick anymore.
Even with no absorption from outside, pumping up in high humidity environment will saturate the tubes with water, unless you use CO2/N2O3 cartridge inflators.

 

[Milzy]

My road bike still has latex tubes on my Vel 50 RL wheel set with 27/30mm Pro One/ GP5000 tyres respectively on them.

My hybrid has only ever had butyl tubes, although I've often thought about buying 30-38mm latex tubes for it.

I'll probably continue to buy latex tubes, but I've been curious about the tpu bandwagon for a year or so, if I go for 4 for 3 I might mix gravel and road bike sizes.

Which latex tubes are you using?

 

[N0bodyOfTheGoat]

Which latex tubes are you using?

Vittoria.

 

[Milzy]

Vittoria.

Would you recommend in carbon wheels? I’ve seen people using talc powder to fit them, is that a big no no?

 

[N0bodyOfTheGoat]

Would you recommend in carbon wheels? I’ve seen people using talc powder to fit them, is that a big no no?

I've had them in my carbon Vel 50 RL wheels for ~3 years without talc, the wheels haven't had much use in that time though.