Anyone using TPU tubes?
#26
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From: New Jersey
Bikes: Bike Friday All-Packa, Zizzo Liberte, Ozark Trail G.1 Explorer



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#27
I use RideNow TPU and for the last few years on my road and gravel bikes and they have been great. In two years I have only had one flat, and I replaced the tube as the patch wouldn't stick and when it finally did, I didn't trust it.
I do NOT carry TPU as a spare as I use Co2, so a butyl tube is my spare.
The reason I use TPU is for the ride. The combination with supple Rene Herse tires makes for one smooth comfortable ride.
I do NOT carry TPU as a spare as I use Co2, so a butyl tube is my spare.
The reason I use TPU is for the ride. The combination with supple Rene Herse tires makes for one smooth comfortable ride.
#28
Commuter, roadie



Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 2,738
Likes: 2,238
From: SE Wisconsin, USA
Bikes: Trek: Domane AL3, Checkpoint SL7; Priority Apollo 11, ZiZZO Forte + eBikes
Just an anecdote that may or may not be related:
I brought my Domane road bike to the shop yesterday to replace a broken front derailleur cable. While it was up on the stand and the tech was looking at it, he noticed things in my tire; the stock, heavy, Bontrager R1 Hardcase Lite tires. We picked about 6 little glass chips out of it. (none in the front)
Those tires may be heavy, but with them and butyl tubes, I haven't had one flat in 5,000 miles. Probably 1/3 of that is city riding, too.
This has me thinking that maybe (the better) TPU tubes are a good compromise inside of heavy, puncture-resistant tires.
I have a pair of Amazon ChiComm TPU tubes for the Domane waiting to be installed, but hearing of easy flats with name brand tubes has me worried.
Can't wait to hear John's experience after a couple hunnerd miles riding around Jersey. I'm sure he'll be carrying the TPU patch kit as well as a couple butyl tubes for awhile.
I brought my Domane road bike to the shop yesterday to replace a broken front derailleur cable. While it was up on the stand and the tech was looking at it, he noticed things in my tire; the stock, heavy, Bontrager R1 Hardcase Lite tires. We picked about 6 little glass chips out of it. (none in the front)
Those tires may be heavy, but with them and butyl tubes, I haven't had one flat in 5,000 miles. Probably 1/3 of that is city riding, too.
This has me thinking that maybe (the better) TPU tubes are a good compromise inside of heavy, puncture-resistant tires.
I have a pair of Amazon ChiComm TPU tubes for the Domane waiting to be installed, but hearing of easy flats with name brand tubes has me worried.
Can't wait to hear John's experience after a couple hunnerd miles riding around Jersey. I'm sure he'll be carrying the TPU patch kit as well as a couple butyl tubes for awhile.
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-Jeremy
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#29
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From: New Jersey
Bikes: Bike Friday All-Packa, Zizzo Liberte, Ozark Trail G.1 Explorer
I finally installed the TPU tubes and went for a ride. I didn't notice any difference. But the tube stems now match my brake cables, which is nice.




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#30
Commuter, roadie



Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 2,738
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From: SE Wisconsin, USA
Bikes: Trek: Domane AL3, Checkpoint SL7; Priority Apollo 11, ZiZZO Forte + eBikes
No flats though, which is good!
About half the guys in my club using them in road bikes with supple tires get flats lickety split, so I think your tires might be protecting the lightweight tubes to some extent.
I have some cheap TPU tubes I got from Amazon with mixed reviews and I hesitate to put them in my Domane with the Harcase Lite tires that haven't had a single flat in 4400 miles of road riding. (and a big chunk of that in the city)
About half the guys in my club using them in road bikes with supple tires get flats lickety split, so I think your tires might be protecting the lightweight tubes to some extent.
I have some cheap TPU tubes I got from Amazon with mixed reviews and I hesitate to put them in my Domane with the Harcase Lite tires that haven't had a single flat in 4400 miles of road riding. (and a big chunk of that in the city)
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-Jeremy
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