Fun fact the butyl tube goes up to 700×28 while the pink TPU goes up to 700×32. Just bought a pair of Ridenow TPU tubes for my road bike for that extra souplesse cuz it seems like TPU tubes are getting there. (Ridenow ones anyway)
I hope Western brands catch on and affordable TPU tubes can make their way to local bike shops to replace butyl. Only benefits it seems, much lighter and smaller to carry, more supple and lower rolling resistance, some say even less punctures, potentially better for the environment etc etc. Just a little harder to patch from what I've heard.
by rcyclingisdawae
9 Comments
The benefits are tangible, but not game changers and patching them successfully has been impossible in my experience so I have stuck with butyl for the repairability and availability alone.
Size matters. I don’t get many flats and I don’t really patch tubes unless I’m on a trip and will possibly need the tube. Then I’ll patch them at camp and let them sit for a bit before handling them.
TPU can be patched, its just requires a specific adhesive. I haven’t don’t it but I have patched rafts and I know prep is everything and with proper prep and correct adhesive most things will hold a patch.
The size is the game changer for me. I can pack 3 tubes for the size of one, and typically I pack 2 tubes. Which means I can take 4-6 tubes instead. Definitely should cover most situations .
Yeah well can you promise me I can commute on butyl for two years without a flat tire?
TPU tubes still aren’t reliable. They’re hard to patch, you get phantom flats, and they’re expensive.
Butyl is cheap plus conforms to the three R’s. Reduced waste because they last longer and are repairable. Reusable because you can repair them to a point. And recyclable at the end of life.
Enjoy contributing to micro plastics in society.
I’m hoping they continue to improve. I tried a set. Rear got damaged in 1 ride. Slow leak. Patch won’t hold. Front hanging on. I don’t trust em. Higher end ones are prohibitively expensive.
I don’t understand what you mean about the butyl tube only going up to 28 mm. You can get butyl tubes in whatever size range you need, and the sizing is flexible since the tube is, well, flexible. I’m sure you could run that butyl tube fine in a 32 mm tire even if it’s not technically ideal — I’ve done it a zillion times without issue.
I had one as a backup and couldn’t get it to inflate with the one cartridge I had packed. Lucky to get a ride from a motorist
I keep a spare TPU tube on my saddle bag at all times. I do prefer butyl though because I’ve never been able to patch TPU tubes
I tried TPU but didn’t have much luck. Yes super light and can easily fit multiple spares in the bag but I kept getting pinhole leaks. Went back to conti race butyl tubes. Yes bulkier and heavier. I don’t mind having a little bigger saddle bag.