I've tried so many different TPU tubes for my bicycles and it's always the same issue after a couple of rides, they blow up or lose pressure with many little 'holes'.
Most of my tubes were from Ali, different brands, colors, and sizes, but there were always problems. But there wasn't a single TPU tube where I installed and forgot about it, like with butyl tubes.
I've tried regular rim tape and special soft tape for tubeless, the result is always the same. My tires were 25 and 32mm, the TPU was 18/28. One time, I tried 37/45 and it lasted longer.
I'm not using them now, I have Maxxis butyl without any problem. But maybe someone can share their experiences and what you could do in this situation?
by Stepaskin
28 Comments
Bought Schwalbe TPU and forgot about it
for the last 5k miles.
Mines are in for a few months now and seem safe so far. Bit lighter. I like it.
The thin TPU tubes are fast but problematic. They have ones that roll as fast as Butyl tubes that SHOULD be much stronger compared to the same tubes.
RideNow from AE. No problems whatsoever.
I’ve only used ride now from AliExpress and never had any issues (other than minor holes from rubbing in my saddlebags from packing too tight and them getting wet).
Maybe holes are from a similar issue creating weak spots, or pressure too low and rubbing in the tyre?
ive been using ridenow tpu tubes from china for more then a year now with 0 issues!
Maybe where you live there are plants that like to leave thorns everywhere?
Mine work fine? Maybe you’re pumping them up too hard?
That looks like a RockBros tube. I’ve had some of those and I was less than impressed by their durability. I’ve still got one holding on for dear life, but the rest have all been replaced by RideNow with zero issues.
Revoloop Race; the heavier one of the two they do are good puncture resistance wise for me. Just don’t leave your bike in strong sunlight: the bonding deteriorates where the valve joins the tube
Tubulitos for four years now with zero punctures or problems. Dear but durable.
Ridenow TPU with metal valves… been good for me so far.
TPU is overhyped in my opinion. TPU can be quite fragile. Tearing seam or around the valves for example.
I ride TPU tubes on 3 different bikes for around 30.000 km now. Only one flat tire. Schwalbe Aerothan and Tubolito. The flat i had with a Pirelli tube.
I have had better experiences with latex tubes. They lose air gradually, but if you inflate them once a week you’re good.
Unlike butyl, TPU doesn’t really stretch so it definitely makes sense that an 18-28 tube did not work well in a 32mm tire (yes, that little difference matters). Don’t have an explanation for your issues with 25mm tire though.
I’ve settled on purple ‘Gustavo’ tubes which I have been using for about 6 months now with no issues and pretty much daily use. Very happy with them and they also happen to be one of the cheapest brands on Ali. So far I’ve only used this brand on my 700x35c tyres. I have some for 25c but have not yet tried them. They’ve held their pressure well over time, requiring topping up about as frequently as butyl.
I went through a couple of different brands on Ali before that (RideNow, ThinkRider) which have been ok for a while but then started losing air more quickly. Kind of looked on it as an experiment because all in I’ve still spent way less than the price of a pair of ‘tubulitos’ or whatever that are egregiously expensive. It annoys me that they are charging quite so much!
TPU tubes are pretty sensitive to tyre size so I would expect problems running an 18-28 tube with a 32mm tyre. I would try to get a tube where the tyre size falls at the low or middle of the size range of the tube. Also where the choice exists I’d not go for the absolute lightest weight TPU options, but a slightly heavier grade, which is still much lighter than the equivalent butyl. TPU tubes are less forgiving of removing and re-fitting, especially changing tyre sizes once fitted, which is expressly discouraged as TPU has very little elastic memory.
I’m not sure if the problems/success I’ve had are primarily a question of QC, but for the time being I’ve found something that is working without issue at a realistic price.
The new ridenow with metal stem are bombproof
Do you put any talcum powder between tire and tube?
With Pirelli I had lots of flats. Then I ordered 6 pieces of Ridenow. 4 were full of holes already. One still in package and will stay there. Ridenow does not have any quality control. You might get good one and might not.
Now riding with Schwalbe Aerothans in two bikes and had no problems. Aerothans are little bit thicker but I am not a weight weenie.
So my answer is Aerothans. They are made in europe.
there is a big difference between Tubolito and Ridenow, i use both a lot.
tubolito has ‘stronger’ plastic and lasts longer, is it worth price difference? it’s not me to say 🙂
Just bought schwalbe TPU. Better than tubolito according to my local bike shop, and it also has a proper valve, which is a common breaking point for tubolitos. So my hopes are high on the schwalbe tube 😅
I tried the Schwalbe Aerothan tubes and had only problems. Constant pressure loss, had to pump both tires every morning. Then noticed that air was leaking through the plastic valves. Valve cores coming loose (due to vibration when riding, I assume). At some point the valve core even popped out after removing the pump.
Wasn’t worth the headache so I switched back to butyl.
Rode 18 months on my TPU. Seems fine.
I have bought 4 of these from Ali express, and all 4 failed immediately
Using cheap Ali tubes and wondering why they fail is not a good move, buy a brand that’s established and recognised. I have Schwalbe TPU tubes and have had no issues at all in thousands of km.
“Most of my tubes were from Ali” there is your problem. Stop buying knock off junk
If you inflate a cheap inner tube outside your tire, you will see great differences shape coming up, meaning material thickness is not the same in the tube.
I wouls not feel safe riding them and I don’t mind spending a few euro’s more.