[David9694]

https://hopkinsoncycles.co.uk/?s=tpu&post_type=product&dgwt_wcas=1&mc_cid=07193e67e9&mc_eid=de0dc6d544

Topic

[IanEdward]

Yes, using 36g RideNow in
Yes, using 36g RideNow in 30mm non-tubeless GP5000. Saved 50g per wheel over latex tubes. The overall setup is lighter than any equivalent tubeless setup and from what tests I’ve seen should be at least as fast rolling if not very marginally faster.

First time out had a failure but it was a pinch flat so not sure it was the tube’s fault. First attempt at patching failed but I hadn’t roughed the tube up like I would normally repairing butyl or layex. 2nd attempt held fine.

Had a few rides on them now, sounds very princess-and-the-pea but I really do think the bike feels faster and even more comfortable although I understand latex should in theory be more supple (by some microscopic amount) so not sure why they feel more comfortable.

Will stick with them on the summer bike, maybe even move the winter bike with much chunkier tyres over to them in time.

[matthewn5]

Yes, been using them for a

Yes, been using them for a couple of years now. They make for a nice light-feeling website. Paired with decent tyres I’ve had no problems at all, even on my commuter in the mean streets of north London. Successfully patched a Tubolito once, after a piece of wire went through the tyre, but not had so much success with patching a RideNow. They’re so light and compact I can carry three or four spares in the space of two butyl tubes.

[2old2mould]

I’ve been using Chinese TPU
I’ve been using Chinese TPU tubes for a while now; RideNow, OffBondage(!), Cyclami, Boostor etc. The early ones with plastic stems were very hit and miss but the newer versions, even those that still have plastic valve stems, are actually alright. I carry a couple when riding tubeless, but also run one bike (best bike) with TPU tubes. Touch wood, all good.

[TBR]

Had that issue with Schwalbe

Had that issue with Schwalbe Aerothans and China-TPU tubes with plastic stems. Not an issue with Eclipse (and the authorized Rene Herse copies) since they use metal stems.

[TBR]

Eclipse TPU tubes have metal

Eclipse TPU tubes have metal stems (they have the patent on that) and removable valve cores. They are available with or without external thread and with different lengths as well. You can even get custom tire sizes made to order (only standard weights but 20 EUR here in Germany). And they are lighter than e.g. Schwalbe Aerothan, even in the “heaviest” of the three weights/thicknesses they have on offer for road, endurance, gravel and MTB. I still have endurance Aerothan’s in my roadbike 32mm tires, but the experience was not painless and I had to glue the valves into the plastic stems. My two gravel setups are now with Eclipse GT tubes but I haven’t yet used the sealant (see below).

Eclipse also offer a special sealant that is thinner than “tubeless” sealant and can be injected into their tubes trough the metal stem, you need way less than for “tubeless” setups and your tires stay free of sealant. If you use Eclipse GT (the “heavy” weight) tubes with external threading you can achieve higher reliability with less faff and less weight than tubeless (perhaps with a tad more rolling resistance though). Use tubeless tires, tubeless rim tape, use the locking ring and o-rings that come with the tubes and inject the special sealant into the tube. 

[TBR]

Oh, and you can get Eclipse

Oh, and you can get Eclipse TPU’s with the Schwalbe Click Valves as well, not that I tried them yet.

[TBR]

They do not state so outright

They do not state so outright but the patented technique they are using is Eclipse’s. The TPU tubes in your link look exactly like Eclips tubes, just the dust cover colour is blue where Eclipse uses an orangish yellow.

[IanGlasgow]

Craft Cadence TPU tubes have

Craft Cadence TPU tubes have removable valve cores and can be used with sealant (they recommend OKO or Muc-Off).
Some sealants (e.g. Rene Herse) are TPU compatible.

[shufflingb]

> the park tool GP-2 Super

> the park tool GP-2 Super Patch did work well.

That’s reassuring. Been carrying as a spare and have had to use in anger [0], but never needed to patch tpu. 

[0] top tip, before setting out make sure that pump works with the new shiney tubeless valves stems to avoid similar angry tubing up’s.

[fernblau]

as a recent convert to tpu

as a recent convert to tpu (pirelli gravel version) its a firm yes from me so far. weight reduction & faster. Also my impression is tpu feels more comfortable, though thats perhaps something subjective. re durability etc time will tell. not really sure about end of life disposal either, maybe tpu can be recycled depending on local facilites? 

[ktache]

So, won’t be opting for

So, won’t be opting for Scwlabe’s then, turbolito claim they make a perfect spare that will shrug off sealant, and some may even use sealant in turbolitos.

[ktache]

Was looking at Scwlabe’s

Was looking at Scwlabe’s aerothan plastic tube yesterday, as a carry around emergency for my tubeless 27.5+, smaller and lighter than my mergency butyl tube, which is also getting on a bit. I was concerned at the warnings about NOT coming into contact with sealant (their capitols). Er….

[Sevenfold]

Yes, definately. Some

Yes, definately. Some reduction in weight (120grams over the 2 butyl tubes I was using) but the noticable reduction in rolling resistance & the improved air retention have made the swap well worthwhile. 

[andystow]

The Rene Herse TPU tubes have

The Rene Herse TPU tubes have metal valve stems and (I think) removable cores.

Rene Herse Introduces TPU Tubes

[hawkinspeter]

I’d recommend just getting

I’d recommend just getting the right valve length (or longer than you need if you want to cater to other wheels) and not trying to remove the core. Trying to put sealant into an inner tube sounds like a bad idea.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006972247545.html

(Strangely, the 4-packs are more expensive than buying 4 single ones)

 

[Author]

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