TPU inner tubes- any experience?

[Pinno718]

Latex (my preference) is so damn expensive. Hard to find the 25-28mm sizes. Plenty of 18-23mm iro £10 to 11.
Found some at Wolf Cycles 🙄

Would still like some feedback on TPU ta.

 

[Dogtrousers]

No personal experience but there have been a few threads on here

This isn't the newest, but it's the longest. https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/any-long-term-tpu-tube-users-on-here.291916/
A more recent, shorter, one. Some discussion of valve issues https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/tpu-inner-tubes-as-spare.302250/

You might find some useful info in there

 

[Daninplymouth]

Iv been using the ridenow brand for 12months plus. Been pretty much fine, one developed a slow leak around the valve which can be an issue but i grabbed them off temu for about £4 each so not complaining, never got a puncture and at 36g a decent saving of butyl tubes

 

[VinSumRox]

I've been using Tubolito ones on my road bike and Schwalbe ones on our MTBs. They are light to carry as spares and work fine. They don't deflate much between rides.
They can be patched with the Tubolito repair kits- basically the right glue and some of the TPU material, seems pretty permanent repairs.
They seem to be a bit more puncture resistant than butyl but can get very fine holes which can be difficult to find.
Disadvantages- expensive ( I found Bike Inn cheapest supplier) and once you have used them in a tyre they stretch so difficult to use in a smaller tyre.

 

[Pblakeney]

Latex (my preference) is so damn expensive. Hard to find the 25-28mm sizes. Plenty of 18-23mm iro £10 to 11.
Found some at Wolf Cycles 🙄

Would still like some feedback on TPU ta.

My pick of choice in this country. Lightweight, cheap (Ridenow), requires inflation less often than latex.
Downsides - No good for rim brakes when heavy braking is required for a long duration, Angliru in my experience, but fine here. Can be patched but the patches don't last permanently. Get home and bin.

*Dunno what happened but I posted the above this morning. 🤔

 

[midlandsgrimpeur]

There was a big thread on these back on BR. Most of us seem to use the Ali express ride now one's, although Dan B used the more expensive Turbolito IIRC. Like most, I have found the main benefit to be the space and weight saving as spares. They are certainly considerably lighter but if I am being totally honest I don't really notice any difference in ride 'feel' over a standard tube (never used latex so cannot compare). I have patched them easily enough but as PB says, the patches don't last permanently. I have had issues with punctures, the thinner material IME does make them more susceptible.

Taking all the above into account, I wouldn't buy the expensive Turbolito version, I think the ridenow are a good compromise and offer a lightweight tube that is very handy as a spare at a decent price point.

 

[VinSumRox]

I have found if you glue on patches using the glue in Tubolito repair kits, repairs seem to be permanent in my experience.

 

[Animo]

There is a massive long thread on WeightWeenies about the RideNow ones. In short, I believe there have been a number of different versions and they come in different weights. It seems some of the more recent ones have addressed some of the issues with leakage around the valve.

 

[Pinno718]

Cheers for the input guys but I will stick with latex. Got 3 in the size I want from Wolf Cycles, Cumbria for £35 incl. p+p.
From what I can gather, TPU is not superior to latex. The only plus is size and weight.

 

[cougie uk]

Ridenow have been great for me but if youre all modern and use those electric pumps you need metal stems.

 

[Veronese68]

I bought some Ride Now from Aliexpress about 6 months back and they’ve been fine. Haven’t fitted them yet though. Very small and light so have been carrying one as a spare.

 

[Norry1]

I use RideNow and prefer them to Butyl now. Never tried Latex, so no opinion there.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

I have found if you glue on patches using the glue in Tubolito repair kits, repairs seem to be permanent in my experience.

How easy is it to find holes in TPU out in the road?

 

[Ming the Merciless]

I bought some Ride Now from Aliexpress about 6 months back and they’ve been fine. Haven’t fitted them yet though.

Most tubes are fine before you fit and inflate 😂

 

[VinSumRox]

How easy is it to find holes in TPU out in the road?

No idea, not had to do that, I repair them when I get home, for touring 1 carry 2 TPU spares as they don't take up much room.