Riders who want to save weight on the bike or in the saddle bag without going tubeless.
TPU tubes have changed what a spare looks like. This RideNow Gravel tube weighs about 45 g, a fraction of a butyl gravel tube, and rolls up small enough to disappear into a saddle bag or pocket.
It fits 700 x 32 to 47C tyres, the sweet spot for gravel and all-road bikes, and RideNow rates it for 29er tyres from 1.5 to 2.0 inches too. The black aluminium Presta valve is sturdier than a plastic TPU stem, and the removable core means you can add a valve extender or swap a damaged core.
This one has a 85 mm valve for deep-section rims. Carry it as your emergency spare, or fit a pair to shed rotating weight without the fuss of going tubeless.
Very light
About 45 g, far less than a butyl tube.
Packs tiny
Rolls up small for a saddle bag or jersey pocket.
Aluminium valve
Black alloy Presta valve with a removable core.
85 mm valve
Valve length to suit your rim depth.
Tube
TPU construction
Thermoplastic polyurethane is far lighter than butyl rubber and packs down much smaller.
Metal composite valve
RideNow's TPU and metal valve is stronger than an all-plastic stem and has a removable Presta core that takes threaded valve extenders.
Great for
Maybe not for
Fits 700c (622) tyres from 32 to 47 mm wide, and 29 x 1.5 to 2.0 inch. Presta valve, 85 mm long, suits deep-section rims.
Fitting a TPU tube
Put just a tiny puff of air in to give the tube shape before fitting, and don't inflate it outside the tyre. TPU stretches permanently if over-inflated unsupported. Check it isn't pinched under the bead before pumping up to pressure.
Patching
TPU tubes need TPU-specific patches. Normal glue-on butyl patches won't stick, so keep the right patches in your saddle bag.
TPU inner tube specialists.
RideNow was one of the earliest companies to make bicycle inner tubes from TPU, and its Race Formula range now covers road, gravel, mountain, BMX and folding bike sizes.
