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. It uses a black Presta valve with a TPU stem.
This one has a 85 mm black Presta valve. 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 pocket.
85 mm valve
Black Presta valve to suit your rim depth.
Gravel sizing
Sized for 700 x 32-47C tyres.
Tube
TPU construction
Thermoplastic polyurethane is far lighter than butyl rubber and packs down much smaller.
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 never inflate it outside the tyre. TPU stretches permanently if over-inflated unsupported. Check it is not pinched under the bead before pumping up to pressure.
Patching
TPU tubes need TPU-specific patches. Normal glue-on butyl patches will not 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.
