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TPU Tubes

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Old 10-04-23 | 07:52 PM
  #51  
yaw
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Originally Posted by SoSmellyAir
That will be my next setup after my current tires are worn (in about a year). Any concern using these tubes within rim brake CF wheels?
I think the Pirelli P Zero SmarTubes have a print on them stating they are for use with rim and disc, and are sold as such, but iirc there are other TPU tubes in the Pirelli lineup that are (or were) geared towards MTB/wider tyres and disc only, and some other manufacturers may differ of course. I've only ever used these SmartTubes with 60mm stem and not looked further. They are expensive in Australia, but since they have stood up so well, I bought a bunch of spares when I could because they were hard to find in stock back then, so looking into alternatives won't be a topic for a while. I'd probably just buy them again anyway because they work.

One thing to consider is that the material will stretch, so if you pull out the tube when changing a tyre, it will be in a thin expanded state, not recoiled back to original. Totally fine to put back in, but I think it is not recommended to do so when downsizing tyres. So if they were run in and stretched to 25mm, putting them into a 28mm and expanding them further is fine, but not the other way around. I assume they would just sit in there with extra folds that could compromise them. I've done same-same tyre swaps and upsizing swaps already with no dramas.
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Old 10-04-23 | 09:51 PM
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I saw on GCN show a few days ago that Pirelli have revised their SmarTube design and the new models are called SmarTube EVO. Don’t know anything much beyond that.
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Old 10-05-23 | 07:21 AM
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Originally Posted by Sy Reene
What should the review say.. "Went for a ride, got a flat in my front and back tire"?

I suppose it couldn't be because both tires rode thru the same flat-causing stuff?
If he posts he "rode thru the same flat-causing stuff" the review will get ignored, if quality issues it will help as on Amazon the cheap Chinese Cyclami are running 14 and 15% 1 star reviews which is very high.
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Old 10-05-23 | 10:46 AM
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Bought some turbolitos and am interesting in giving it a try. I run latex on both road bikes and my TT bike. My daily driver is a 2022 TCR Pro and I like the idea of lightening it up a bit w TPU tubes. I have a couple questions for you guys:

1) Can you re-use TPU tubes after initial installation? My guess is that you can, since people try to patch them at times. I ask b/c I also have some new tires to install (Pirelli Pzero 4s), but the GP5000s that are on there have some life left.

2) What pressure do you recommend for a 145 lb rider on 25's or 28's? I run 90 on my latex.
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Old 10-05-23 | 02:10 PM
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Originally Posted by Trsnrtr
I bought eight TPU tubes mainly for spare tubes to carry in my pocket because they are so small and light. That got me wondering if anyone runs them for daily use. I mean, 36g, I'd like to try and maybe will but I'd like to get a report from people who've used them daily.
The use the RideNow ones as my dailies for my aero bike and maybe had 1 valve issue and 2 others that got a flat over span of two years on two different bikes. I like the harder feel of them and how they retain air super well. Obviously even the 36g ones are insanely light and can easily shed 90g off each wheel. I have a few of the 19g ones but I haven't used them yet.
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Old 10-05-23 | 02:12 PM
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Originally Posted by TMonk
Bought some turbolitos and am interesting in giving it a try. I run latex on both road bikes and my TT bike. My daily driver is a 2022 TCR Pro and I like the idea of lightening it up a bit w TPU tubes. I have a couple questions for you guys:

1) Can you re-use TPU tubes after initial installation? My guess is that you can, since people try to patch them at times. I ask b/c I also have some new tires to install (Pirelli Pzero 4s), but the GP5000s that are on there have some life left.

2) What pressure do you recommend for a 145 lb rider on 25's or 28's? I run 90 on my latex.
You can reuse and patch them. The only thing you do have to be careful is not damaging the valve since they are non replaceable and not inflating them too much when not mounted since they can start to deform

I am 138lbs-140lbs and run them with GP5000 28c at 92 PSI but I like a firm feel
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Old 10-05-23 | 04:51 PM
  #57  
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TMonk Jrasero just an addition regarding re-using them (which is fine and I've done so repeatedly), do not downsize the tyres. Keeping tyre width the same, or going up in size, is ok, but downsizing is a no go because the material stays distended from the largest volume it was inflated to and would then crease inside a smaller tyre.
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Old 10-06-23 | 04:34 AM
  #58  
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Thanks, yaw, for the heads up re: not downsizing to narrower tires. Fortunately the roads in my area are pretty good so I plan to stick to 25 mm GP5K mounted on 19 mm IW wheels.
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