TPU inner tubes

[njh...@gmail.com]

I bought a few Revoloop 584 x 40-60mm inner tubes to see what they are like. They look extremely fragile compared to a butyl tube, but the claim is that they are actually more resistant to puncturing. I can't answer to that, but I haven't had a puncture yet in the few weeks I've been using them.

Here's one for comparison next to a Schwalbe SV14 extra light, a butyl inner tube for the same size range of tyre. The Revoloop is about one third the weight - 45g vs 130g. Rather than the reduction in weight, I think a bigger advantage is that they pack down to a much smaller size when being carried as a spare. The patch kit for them is also tiny - self-adhesive patches where you just peel off the backing and slap them on the tube.

Besides, Revoloop, tubes in the same material are also available from Tubolito and from Schwalbe (Aerothan range).

Nick

[Peter Adler]

Worth noting, for weight weenies: Revoloops claim to be much lighter than Schwalbe Aerothans or Tubolitos, within comparable sizes/product categories. For example, in the 622 x mid-30mm touring tire range without crazy-long aero valve stems:

Revoloop CX/Gravel Inner Tube REVO.cc.ultra 700×32/40c 40mm PV:  30g (US $35)

Tubolito Tubo CX/Gravel 30-47mm 42mm PV:  60g (€ 29.90/US $35.31 09/12/2021 exchange rate)

Schwalbe Aerothan Allround 700x35-50C 40mm PV:  61g (US $40)

All these tubes are scary expensive, but tubes with valves short enough for box rims are getting hard to find. Maybe it's worth making an investment to see whether the reduced rotating weight pays off. I'd be very interested in hearing the results of 500 miles or so if riding.

Peter "or maybe I should take the two Kryptonites and ten pounds of tools out of my panniers" Adler

Berkeley, CA/USA

[Andy G]

IIRC, the issue with tubes like this is that flats were slow and very difficult to find so eventually you end up inflating every ride because you can't easily locate the flats on the road.

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[Harry Travis]

Hasn't concern with weight been shot to hell or sequestered in torn and therefor neglected feelings? 

Thirty or even 60 grams doesn't matter much compared to the weight packed in carcass, tread, and then lug blocks on today's  400-500g  60mm  tires. 

In fact,  Parimoto's would be looked on with even greater suspicion - "Why, there's nothin' there, Mate! "- if I note some that come in UNDER listed weight.

What used to be a selling point is now irrelevant or worse.  

 To say how many - in truth, few- grams lighter than spec would imply Parimotos  must be a spread- out versions  of 23mm tri-athlete's racing tire, passé.

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Harry P Travis

14.7.1

On Sep 12, 2021, at 5:57 PM, Peter Adler <divis...@gmail.com> wrote:

Worth noting, for weight weenies: Revoloops claim to be much lighter than Schwalbe Aerothans or Tubolitos, within comparable sizes/product categories. For example, in the 622 x mid-30mm touring tire range without crazy-long aero valve stems:

Revoloop CX/Gravel Inner Tube REVO.cc.ultra 700×32/40c 40mm PV:  30g (US $35)

Tubolito Tubo CX/Gravel 30-47mm 42mm PV:  60g (€ 29.90/US $35.31 09/12/2021 exchange rate)

Schwalbe Aerothan Allround 700x35-50C 40mm PV:  61g (US $40)

All these tubes are scary expensive, but tubes with valves short enough for box rims are getting hard to find. Maybe it's worth making an investment to see whether the reduced rotating weight pays off. I'd be very interested in hearing the results of 500 miles or so if riding.

Peter "or maybe I should take the two Kryptonites and ten pounds of tools out of my panniers" Adler

Berkeley, CA/USA

On Sunday, September 12, 2021 at 5:22:41 PM UTC-7 njh...@gmail.com wrote:

I bought a few Revoloop 584 x 40-60mm inner tubes to see what they are like. They look extremely fragile compared to a butyl tube, but the claim is that they are actually more resistant to puncturing. I can't answer to that, but I haven't had a puncture yet in the few weeks I've been using them.

Here's one for comparison next to a Schwalbe SV14 extra light, a butyl inner tube for the same size range of tyre. The Revoloop is about one third the weight - 45g vs 130g. Rather than the reduction in weight, I think a bigger advantage is that they pack down to a much smaller size when being carried as a spare. The patch kit for them is also tiny - self-adhesive patches where you just peel off the backing and slap them on the tube.

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[Andy G]

Also funny that they claim to be only disc brake compatible (at least for 650b)

[Greg Achtem]

Are there 650B versions of these tubes in, say my size of tire (650B x 42)? From what I understand these plastic tubes do not stretch up or down to fit sizes outside of a narrow range that may or may not fit my tires. 

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[Peter Adler]

You mean, like this one? Or this one? Or this one? Or this one, which has a chip embedded near the stem and an accompanying iOS app so you can tell the inflation pressure (sheesh)? All the links I provided earlier were to the manufacturers' sites/web stores; the 650B info is there as well.

Followup point: I posted links to the manufacturers because I figured they'd have reasonably accurate size/weight information. I used 700c tubes for weight comparison because I don't currently own a 650B wheelset (no rims around, and I don't want to cold-set any of my oldie frames to fit modern prebuilt wheels), so 700c tires/tubes is what I normally look at. I figured the comparison would apply equally well to 650B tubes, which it does. Further, I have not yet made any effort yet to search for third-party retailers, so I don't know whether there are lower prices out in the world or whether MSRP is pretty much what you'll have to pay everywhere. My local REI had Tubolitos for a hot minute, so it's possible that REI can get a price, if the chain is making large orders.

The 27.5" Schwalbe Aerothans don't come in anything narrower than 53-61mm (2.1"-2.4"). Whether or not you could safely fit that inside your tire probably depends on the tire.

Peter "seek, and ye shall find" Adler

Berkeley, CA/USA

[ericni...@gmail.com]

From the Revoloop FAQ:

“Are REVOLOOP® inner tubes suitable for use with rim brakes?

The official position of TPU Plus GmbH, owner of the REVOLOOP® brand, is that the range of REVOLOOP® ultra light inner tubes carrying the “ultra” model name (e.g., REVO.cc.ultra, REVO.mtb.ultra and REVO.race.ulra) are intended to be used on bicycles outfitted with disc brakes only”

Perhaps the thin “ultra” models don’t have sufficient heat resistance.

Eric in NH

[Greg Achtem]

When I last looked at the Tubolitos I don't think there was a narrower option than 1.8 inches/45.72 mm, which is 3.72 mm wider than my nominal 42 mm tires. Not sure if it's cool to stuff a bigger plastic tube into a smaller tire. Looks like the 1.6 inch/40.64mm version would work. The Revoloop option was not available at the time I was researching plastic tubes. But I use rim brakes so the Revoloops are out. I couldn't find non "ultra" tubes for 650B

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[lena...@gmail.com]

My Black Mountain Road+ is fitted with RH SBH EL (48mm) tires with the Schwalbe Aerothan tubes on Spinergy wheels. This has been a fine combination for me. The front tube loses air faster than the rear, unsure why. A weekly top-off is adequate.

Has anyone tried any of these tubes with rim brake wheels?

Lena

Bellevue WA USA

[ThermionicScott]

*bump*

I only recently learned that Schwalbe Aerothans can be used with rim brakes.  Anybody running these in demi-ballon size 650Bs?  I'm curious how much they stretch to meet their rated size, or alternately, how wide they are when deflated and rolled flat.  Recommendations on the SV13E vs SV21E for our use?

They're pricy, but on a grams-saved-per-$ basis, not as stupid as some other things I've bought.  ;^)

Thanks!

- Scott in Cedar Rapids

[ericni...@gmail.com]

re: SV13E vs SV21E.  That is really a question of whether to use a tube that is nominally for 26" tires (SV13E) or for 650B tires (SV21E).  I've used the butyl equivalents (SV13, SV14. SV14A and SV21A) on 650B rims, and find the 26" tubes are a slightly snug fit on a 650B rim.  The tube needs a little more coaxing to avoid pinching it between the tire and the rim.  They work, but they require a little extra care during installation. 

While I have yet to use the Schwalbe Aerothans in 650B, I've used other TPU tubes on other sized rims and find them to be a little finicky to mount in other ways.  TPU tubes in general are reportedly intolerant of being pinched during initial inflation, so that would suggest to me that using the correct SV21E tube on a 650B rim would help reduce that risk. 

Eric in NH

[ThermionicScott]

Thanks, Eric!  I've had good luck with the SV14A in 650B wheels, so that's why I was curious if the same might be true for the TPU tubes.  I'll keep thinking about these.

- Scott in Cedar Rapids