TPU inner tubes

[Dorset Boy]

I might buy some. Think they have 3 for 2 offer on.

I think it's 4 for 3

 

[Jenkins]

I thought I'd see what the fuss was about and, when bought in bulk, the Cyclami ones weren't much more than the normal budget tubes I use. If nothing else, they'll take up less space in the saddle bag as spares.

 

[Binky]

New bike came with TPU tubes fitted so that's what I'm using and carry a couple of spares.

Question is about patching. The spares came with instant patches so in event of a puncture then possibility of sticking patch on.
However, unlike butyl tubes when if you get a puncture you can pump tubes up a reasonable amount to find a pin prick hole, with TPU tubes the advice is only minimally inflate when not installed in a wheel/tyre as otherwise they deform permanently.

So, how does one find a puncture on the roadside? At home be able to dunk in a bowl of water etc but oddly I don't carry one when out riding.

Hopefully this is a scenario I'll never need but always good to know.

 

[VinSumRox]

My new bike is due soon(this week I hope) and comes with TPU installed, Pirelli ones apparently. Anyway, I've bought some Cyclami ones same as sevenfourate to carry as spares. Metal valve stems although I'll only carry micro rocket pump on bike and just use track/electric at home.
Never tried TPU before so hopefully all good. They do come with instant patches to repair although I'm wondering how easy is it to find a leak on a TPU tube as apparently if you inflate to more than about 1 psi when not in a wheel/tyre they deform and are useless? My plan is to carry two spare TPU tubes on bike in downtube storage(it's a new Canyon) so I'm hoping roadside repairs won't be needed but you never know.

If they have been used in a tyre they will already have been stretched. I just pump them up to what feels reasonable and then search for leaks in a bowl of water. You have to be patient and they often have slow leak from damage rather than a fast stream of bubbles. I glue on patches.
This is on Tubolito or Schwalbe tpu tubes which are a bit thicker than the temu type ones.

 

[Binky]

If they have been used in a tyre they will already have been stretched. I just pump them up to what feels reasonable and then search for leaks in a bowl of water. You have to be patient and they often have slow leak from damage rather than a fast stream of bubbles. I glue on patches.
This is on Tubolito or Schwalbe tpu tubes which are a bit thicker than the temu type ones.

Yes but doesn't the bowl of water spill when you're riding...

 

[Milzy]

By the time TPU are reliable they’ll be as thick as rubber ones.

 

[Binky]

Currently mid ride and this happened

Thorn from hedge cutting. Anyway, that was a Pirelli TPU tube and I've put in a cyclami on I was carrying. Was a faff and half getting tube in as seemed too small diameter. Obviously TPU doesn't really stretch like butyl . Anyway, got it in and rode further 10 miles to cafe and so far so good.
At least a lovely warm sunny day for it!

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Thorn from hedge cutting.

Tubeless and you could have just carried on riding 😜

 

[Milzy]

Tubeless and you could have just carried on riding 😜

Haha saw a kid get a small thorn in road tire and looked like Aliens being pulse rifled. In MTB prob be fine. It’s the high pressure that stops sealing.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Haha saw a kid get a small thorn in road tire and looked like Aliens being pulse rifled. In MTB prob be fine. It’s the high pressure that stops sealing.

They do seal in road 99% of the time. The 1% just use a plug of rubber, do not even need to remove wheel. Individual plugs cost about 7p. Lighter, more compact, and cheaper than spare tubes.

 

[Mike_P]

They do seal in road 99% of the time. The 1% just use a plug of rubber, do not even need to remove wheel. Individual plugs cost about 7p. Lighter, more compact, and cheaper than spare tubes.

Where do you find them for 7p?

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Where do you find them for 7p?

Amazon. Search for tubeless rubber tyre plugs. You want just the plugs, none of the tools. The other option is just buy sheet rubber, and cut as needed for the plugs. I generally go the latter route, as its even cheaper and more flexible option.

Just checked and the thickness of the sheet rubber I have at the moment is 1.7mm. But anything 1.5mm to 2mm is about right. You can buy 400mm x 400mm x 2mm for around £10; that will get you about 500-600 tubeless plugs from it; roughly 2p a plug / puncture. Then cut a section to sit flat in your puncture repair kit box. Then cut strips (as needed) to match size of hole to be plugged.

The sheets cover you a long time. In the photo is what remains of the smaller rubber sheet I bought in 2006 for my first tubeless tyres. I have bought some modern plugs, but still been using the sheet till it runs out.

Basic procedure is cut strip to size needed, insert into tool. Coat in rubber solution. Wait till tacky. Ream hole. Plug hole with strip and pull tool back. Inflate tyre to normal pressure. Check all good. Trim excess off. All very quick and reliable.

 

[Milzy]

They do seal in road 99% of the time. The 1% just use a plug of rubber, do not even need to remove wheel. Individual plugs cost about 7p. Lighter, more compact, and cheaper than spare tubes.

I’ve got OCD so need a tire without a plug in a hole. I’ll always know it’s not a perfect tire anymore. It will get you home then it will have to be binned.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

I’ve got OCD so need a tire without a plug in a hole. I’ll always know it’s not a perfect tire anymore. It will get you home then it will have to be binned.

Binning your inner tubes and tyres every puncture must work out expensive.

 

[Pblakeney]

New bike came with TPU tubes fitted so that's what I'm using and carry a couple of spares.

Question is about patching. The spares came with instant patches so in event of a puncture then possibility of sticking patch on.
However, unlike butyl tubes when if you get a puncture you can pump tubes up a reasonable amount to find a pin prick hole, with TPU tubes the advice is only minimally inflate when not installed in a wheel/tyre as otherwise they deform permanently.

So, how does one find a puncture on the roadside? At home be able to dunk in a bowl of water etc but oddly I don't carry one when out riding.

Hopefully this is a scenario I'll never need but always good to know.

You don't.
You replace at the roadside and repair at home. Same as butyl for me.