TPU Tubes
#51
should be more popular
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 259
Likes: 170
From: Wax Town
Bikes: 22 Emonda
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.
#52
Thread Killer

Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 13,140
Likes: 2,163
From: Ann Arbor, MI
Bikes: 15 Kinesis Racelight 4S, 76 Motebecane Gran Jubilée, 17 Dedacciai Gladiatore2, 12 Breezer Venturi, 09 Dahon Mariner, 12 Mercier Nano, 95 DeKerf Team SL, 19 Tern Rally, 21 Breezer Doppler Cafe+, 19 T-Lab X3, 91 Serotta CII, 23 3T Strada
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.
#53
Senior Member


Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,148
Likes: 883
Bikes: too many sparkly Italians, some sweet Americans and a couple interesting Japanese
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.
#54
Not actually Tmonk




Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 17,322
Likes: 6,104
From: San Diego, CA
Bikes: road, track, mtb
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.
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.
__________________
"Your beauty is an aeroplane;
so high, my heart cannot bear the strain." -A.C. Jobim, Triste
"Your beauty is an aeroplane;
so high, my heart cannot bear the strain." -A.C. Jobim, Triste
#55
Senior Member

Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 800
Likes: 311
From: Westchester, NY
Bikes: Cannondale SuperSix EVO Hi-Mod 2, Specialized Tarmac SL8 Fact 10r
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.
#56
Senior Member

Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 800
Likes: 311
From: Westchester, NY
Bikes: Cannondale SuperSix EVO Hi-Mod 2, Specialized Tarmac SL8 Fact 10r
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.
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.
I am 138lbs-140lbs and run them with GP5000 28c at 92 PSI but I like a firm feel
#57
should be more popular
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 259
Likes: 170
From: Wax Town
Bikes: 22 Emonda
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.
#58
Method to My Madness

Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 4,737
Likes: 2,071
From: Orange County, California
Bikes: Trek FX 2, Cannondale Synapse x2, Cannondale CAAD4, Santa Cruz Stigmata 3
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.





