Best TPU tube brand

[amacal1]

just yesterday I ordered 2 of these in the "gravel" size -- 45g, for tire width 32-47. These will just be saddle-bag backups for 35mm tires set up tubeless.

I have a few of these that I use for the same purpose. Unfortunately, for me, they're essentially "single use" since I'm otherwise tubeless for my gravel bike and there's no way to really pack them back up into the same tight, small size to fit back in the seat bag. I've had to use one when I split a tore a sidewall and it wouldn't seal, but then when I replaced the tire I didn't need the tube anymore so it sits on a hanger in my garage waiting for a big, non-tubeless tire to go into.

[-Tarantula-]

Received my 5 Meroca tpu tubes today, orange, 80mm valve, paid 2,39 per piece, 28g. Will try them tomorrow.

[ecm]

I've decided to give a second chance for those TPU inner tubes, and for my surprise I've found a good one: OFFBONDAGE (Purple)

Riding some hundreds KM in ROAD (700x28c and 700x25c) and GRAVEL(700x47c), this TPU it's very good. A little heavier than others brands, but less valve leaks and replaceable air core.

If the price hurts a little bit, my second choice would be X-Tiger (green).

[Dell]

I've had no issues with the cyclami tubes with metal valves. Ridenows have been fine for me, too. OFFBONDAGE I only tried once and it lasted about as long as expected.

With ThinkRider tubes, I've had the little metal ring holding the valve core on get stuck in my pump. The first time this happened I didn't notice it and the valve core flew off on a (luckily) slow descent.

A buddy of mine also had RideNow tubes fail on a long and steep descent (Männlichen in Switzerland) using rim brakes. There was no hole, so we're assuming there was some glue keeping the valve attached on that melted.

[-Tarantula-]

Received my 5 Meroca tpu tubes today, orange, 80mm valve, paid 2,39 per piece, 28g. Will try them tomorrow.

Did the plug Streets of Mesen (from the Gent Wevelgem classic) which has lots of small stones, also a bit of gravel with my roadbike and these tpu tubes, No flats. So they are not more vulnerable than butyl tubes imho, all depends on the tire (continental gp 28mm zit thé moment)

[amacal1]

Just want to come in and re-extol the virtues of my older Ride now (classic?) tubes. The older 36g ones with the plastic valves. I've had a rash of broken spoke nipples and other wheel issues. I've had one tube that I swear has been removed and re-installed about 4 or more times now over the last 800+ miles and it's been fine. I used to worry about how delicate they seemed and would fret over pinching them on install, but I guess I don't need to worry so much.

I just had a broken spoke nipple fixed again on that wheel the other day and finished up a ride on it today with that same reused tube so it was fresh on my mind when I saw this thread again.

[jonathanf2]

I stopped using TPU tubes on all but one bike. If you have tubeless ready wheels, I would just go that direction. You still have to tape your rims with TPU tubes, so might as well go the extra step. TPU tubes are not bullet proof and they're still a pain to patch and not guaranteed to stay on especially if you live in very hot weather.

The one bike I'm using TPU tubes is on my daughter's 26er. The wheels aren't tubeless ready and I think for wide tire applications they are okay, since not so much air pressure is needed. The TPU material doesn't need to be stretched out thin, making them more durable. Also the weight savings is quite good over butyl and latex. I find air pressure holds better on wide tire TPU tubes. When I was running road TPU tubes, I had to pump them often.

I'm running 25c tubeless and comfort is very similar to 28c TPU tubed, but with the lighter weight and quicker acceleration of the narrow tire. Also some brands are easier to mount narrow tires like Panaracer Agilest and the Schwalbe Pro One tires. I haven't tried the newer GP5K 25c tires, but I hear they're easier to mount now.

[MR3MR3]

Just want to come in and re-extol the virtues of my older Ride now (classic?) tubes. The older 36g ones with the plastic valves. I've had a rash of broken spoke nipples and other wheel issues. I've had one tube that I swear has been removed and re-installed about 4 or more times now over the last 800+ miles and it's been fine. I used to worry about how delicate they seemed and would fret over pinching them on install, but I guess I don't need to worry so much.

I just had a broken spoke nipple fixed again on that wheel the other day and finished up a ride on it today with that same reused tube so it was fresh on my mind when I saw this thread again.

I've been running the clear plastic valve ones since 2023, somehow haven't managed to puncture yet and my pair have lasted well over 10000 miles. Maybe it's my tire choice (GP5k's, now Pirelli P Zero RS Clinchers), but they're awesome.

[oker_s]

ridenow and cydi for more than 14000 km this year! both are fine! no problems...

[OralMaster]

Received my 5 Meroca tpu tubes today, orange, 80mm valve, paid 2,39 per piece, 28g. Will try them tomorrow.

how did it worked out for you? the orange meroca tpu tubes were the best i ever had, almost zero pressure lost in 1 week.

[GSoroos]

BUT I noticed a bubble had formed near the valve stem where the tube was trying to stretch its way out in the space between the rim and the stem. Clearly, the tpu is just a little too thin to stand up to anything but absolutely perfection in terms of rim, tire, or anything else you send at it.

When I worked at a shop (decades ago) I'd see this with latex and butyl tubes as well. Sometimes the valve isn't pulled all the way to the rim and the tube will develop a "bubble" in that space.

[-Tarantula-]

how did it worked out for you? the orange meroca tpu tubes were the best i ever had, almost zero pressure lost in 1 week.

To be honest, I think I lost about 1 bar in a week after 13 hours of riding. A bit more than with butyl before, but normally I always add a bit of pressure before every ride, now I didn't, just to check.

[JustinFox]

I've used TPU tubes for over a year now and have found that I have no issues at all with the 19g RideNow tubes on wheelsets that have no holes in the rim bed, but have had issues with them on wheelsets which use rim tape.

I only use the heavier/thicker 30-40g TPU tubes now on wheelsets with holes in rim bed/rim tape and have no issues at all with punctures.

[Takiyaki]

I just caught a flat on a Ridenow 36g tube this weekend. I'm pretty sure it was on a spoke hole. I might try tubeless again

[hsaus]

The second of my 24g Ride now TPU tubes with the clear plastic stem was losing pressure overnight, so I tried replacing it with one of my spares.

The spare had a leak straightaway. I take care and follow the instructions carefully when installing TPU tubes. And I had already checked the tyre for any sharp bits. No tyre levers were used to install the new tube - only to remove the tyre from the rim seat so I could remove the old tube.

Then I repeated the process with my last spare 24g tube, and with exactly the same result. That's 4x 24g RideNow tubes failing all within the space of a few weeks. A bad batch?

I have now been running the Offbondage TPU tubes with the part black and part silver color stem for a little over a month on this bike with no issues. I've used them before on another bike for well over a year, also with no issues.

I'll stay away from the 24g Ride now tubes with clear plastic stems from now on.