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    • Mar 13, 2023
    • 3 min read

TPU v latex v butyl inner tubes - which are best?


Marginal advantages count in cycling. After years of trawling forums and testing different lightweight bike parts from our garage we still think TPU inner tubes offer one of the best bangs for buck in terms of performance upgrade.


We’ve been fitting all our road bike builds with RideNow TPU inner tubes. They weigh 35g each which means for about £32 we save 200g compared to our old butyl tubes. You can see Lukas’ post on his winter project building a lightweight aero road bike on a budget. His custom bike has a real treasure trove of lightweight bike parts.



But are TPU inner tubes better?


We’ve been examining the research and set up a small survey that got the views of 54 people across our cycling network to find out.


We compared TPU against latex and butyl alternatives across three categories:

  • Speed

  • Durability

  • Air retention

Speed


Speed is essentially a function of weight and rolling resistance. TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) tubes are much lighter than latex or butyl. And lighter inner tubes, all else equal, mean faster acceleration and easier climbs. In terms of rolling resistance there isn’t much difference between TPU and latex, but butyl is noticeably slower. This is because butyl has lower elasticity, causing higher internal friction between the tube and the inside of the tyre, especially under high performance use.


We’ve found our RideNow TPU inner tubes give us a saving of up to 3.5 Watts over regular butyl tubes at speeds around 30 km/h. In percentage terms this equates to a 20% more efficient inner tube.


All in all it means that for speed TPU tubes like the RideNow ones we ride come out top, with latex in second and cheaper butyl tubes in third. This chimed with the responses we got to our survey (n=54):


Litebike RideNow road bike inner tubes TPU latex butyl lightweight bike parts

Durability


Durability is always going to be an important factor. Popping an inner tube ends races or can leave you stranded - we often risk it and go out without a spare and a few times we’ve tried to be sensible, brought a spare and forgotten the pump!


For us there is also a sustainability dimension to the durability of the tubes. The lifespan of the inner tube is crucial to understanding the impact on the environment, as well as evaluating the cost per km. The last thing the planet needs is a shed load of low quality tubes that only hold up for a couple of rides.

Litebike RideNow road bike inner tubes TPU latex butyl lightweight bike parts

Laurence with his mate Marshall fixing a butyl tube puncture on his hire bike near Arre, south of France.


In terms of durability, TPU inner tubes like RideNow come out on top. TPU inner tubes are recyclable, but more importantly are more puncture resistant. This is because TPU has greater flexibility which means the tire finds it easier to handle changes in road surface. Butyl tubes do fairly well on durability whereas latex tubes are more fragile and puncture more often.


The flexibility of TPU inner tubes has additional benefits. It gives better traction and cornering, which means more confidence taking turns at high speeds.


It’s first place to TPU, then butyl with latex in third (n=54):


Litebike RideNow road bike inner tubes TPU latex butyl lightweight bike parts

Air retention


Anyone who has experience with latex and butyl tubes will know they need constant attention. While latex and butyl tubes lose air over time, TPU tubes maintain their pressure for longer, meaning less time spent topping up tires.


Again - it’s first place to TPU, then butyl with latex in third (n=54):


Litebike RideNow road bike inner tubes TPU latex butyl lightweight bike parts

In conclusion, TPU bike inner tubes like RideNow inner tubes offer a range of benefits compared to traditional butyl and latex tubes. TPU inner tubes compare better on speed because they are lighter and have lower rolling resistance, are more durable and have improved air retention. We’re not surprised they are becoming increasingly popular with cyclists. If you’re after next-level performance and want to invest in lightweight bike parts, it’s worth considering upgrading to TPU tubes like RideNow.




For more like this on cycling, sports psychology and wellbeing etc sign up to our newsletter, click here. To follow us on Instagram, click here. If you're after the very best lightweight bike parts you're in the right place. Ultra light carbon handlebars, seatposts, UNO Kalloy stems, RideNow inner tubes, pedals, waxed chains etc all rigorously tested by us and a small team of cyclists. Click here to see more.



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  • Why is weight so important?
    Reducing weight is the most noticeable upgrade you can make. Lightweight bikes accelerate faster and are more responsive to the power you generate, helping you reach your performance potential. Lightweight means going faster and further, for longer. We help cyclists reach their goals - from competitive racers to weekend riders.
  • Do lightweight parts mean compromising durability?
    Most of our bike parts are made from carbon fiber which is lightweight, stiff for optimal power transmission, and flexible in certain dimensions making cycling more comfortable. We put every part through rigorous testing by us and our small team of cyclists. This means you can be confident that our parts will perform for thousands of miles.
  • How come your bike parts are so lightweight for the price?
    The cycling industry is full of gimmicks, poor quality parts and expensive marketing. We are flipping the switch. We work directly with the same manufacturers producing parts for the top cycling brands, avoid the marketing gimmicks and expensive packaging, to bring you top quality products at a fraction of the cost.
  • Are your products sustainable?
    We aim to set the industry standard for high quality bike parts that last. We are the opposite of fast fashion. We are slow fashion - for bikes.
  • Is your packaging recyclable?
    We use biodegradable packaging for all our products wherever possible. We reuse packaging that comes to us too.
  • How long will it take for my order to arrive?
    We aim to deliver all UK mainland deliveries in 1-3 working days.
  • How can I track my order?
    We use Royal Mail’s tracked delivery service. You will get an email with tracking information so you can keep tabs on where your order is and exactly when it will arrive.
  • Do you ship to Europe?
    Yes. Please choose your country at the check out. We charge a flat fee of £8.50, roughly €10.00, for shipping. This is less than it costs us but we don't believe in Ryanair-style add-ons! You may need to pay some taxes on delivery.
  • What’s your returns policy?
    We’re only happy if you’re happy. You can return any part you bought from us within 30 days and we will give you a full refund. Please return the item in its original condition, with any labels attached.
  • Do your handlebars have external cabling?
    Yes. Our handlebars are easy to install for the home mechanic. The cabling is externally routed in a groove running along the bottom of the bars.
  • Are your handlebars DI2 compatible?
    While some customers have fitted DI2 this requires drilling extra holes and we wouldn't recommend it unless you are an experienced mechanic. Please get in touch if you have any questions.
  • Can I fit your carbon handlebars with an alloy stem?
    Yes, our carbon handlebars can be fitted to an alloy stem, such as our super light UNO Kalloy x Litebike.
  • Will the tubes fit my bike?
    Our TPU inner tubes are size 700 x 18-32c and fit a standard bike wheel. Unless you cycle a Brompton you probably have a standard wheel. 18-32c means the tube will inflate to fit a range of tire widths between 18 mm and 32 mm. Our Litebike Performance 50g tubes are suitable for disc and rim brakes. Our RideNow 35g tubes are also suitable for rim and disc brakes.
  • Are your inner tubes difficult to install?
    TPU inner tubes are a performance product and should be installed carefully. This includes cleaning the rim and inflating the tube to a max of 8psi before installing in the tyre. Anyone can install TPU inner tubes at home, but if you are fitting them for the first time it's worth following the instructions on the box carefully.
  • You also sell RideNow gravel TPU tubes. How are these different?
    Our RideNow gravel tubes are sized 700 x 32-47c. This means the tube will inflate to fit the full range of tire widths between 32 mm and 47 mm.
  • Can TPU inner tubes puncture?
    Like with butyl and latex tubes, TPU inner tubes can puncture. However, studies have shown that TPU is more puncture resistant than other materials. You can take steps to reduce the chances of getting a puncture, for example by cleaning your tyre to remove any debris and not inflating the tubes above 8psi outside the tyre.
  • Are TPU inner tubes sustainable?
    TPU is made from renewable sources like plant-based oils and non-toxic chemicals, making it an eco-friendly alternative to petroleum-based synthetic rubbers and plastics.
  • What are the benefits of a waxed chain?
    You will go faster. Studies have shown you will save up to 7 watts. You will save time cleaning. Wax repels dirt. You will help the planet.
  • How do I wax my own chain? It sounds complicated.
    Chain waxing can be done at home with an old slow cooker and a few other household items. Once you have done it once it’s easy to repeat. If waxing is not your thing, but you’re still after the performance benefits of a waxed chain, we sell a small selection of top quality, pre-waxed chains. We wax them ourselves in our workshop.
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