Tubolito S-Road TPU Inner Tube

[@pierrex3226]

The AliExpress clones work fine for as little as 2.5 to 3 euro a tube, shipping included... I've installed 10 and they've all been fine. Even if you happen to get a dud, just bin it and put a new one. The price difference simply means tubolito is price gouging like there's no tomorrow.

[@RenghisKhan]

Exactly. 30 bucks is ridiculous. I've used the Ali's for over a year now, for 10% of the cost, they hold air really well and so far no punctures. I was genuinely surprised at the improvement on the ride quality when compared to butyl. Then again, having 200 grams less on the furthest point from your axles to set in motion...yeah, it makes a difference.

[@SignorLuigi]

I've been using the RideNow TPU inner tubes available on Ali Express for over a year and a half. They have performed very well at a fraction of the cost of Tubolitos.

[@neilpassingham7309]

I've been using Ride-Now and Baent TPU tubes from Ali-Express for around a year and had no issues. The one brand I'd avoid is "Think-Rider", I bought a couple of them and they both failed within a week.

[@bonbonflippers4298]

5k miles 4 wheelsets and used 6pairs of ridenow tpu tubes. Of all those only 1 was a dud. Still using them on all my bikes. One of the treasures of aliexpress.

[@MarquitoRH]

Great info: Which ones are you buying from Ali please 🙏

[@Surestick88]

They certainly have advantages (weight, size, rolling resistance, air retention compared to latex) but there are a couple of caveats I've found: 1- They seem very prone to developing slow leaks from any grit on the inside of the tire. 2- The lack of a threaded stem means it can be tricky to get the valve to sit straight in the rim (aesthetic more than anything but still). One tip worth knowing is small punctures can be fixed with a drop of cyanoacrylate (crazy glue).

[@robertmcfadyen9156]

The ridenow TPU schrader 26 x 1 9 - 2 1 tubes fitted to my TREK ntb are great and holding air at 50 p.s.i. very well .

[@Willard_guy]

I'm tubeless on my mountain bike but these are still perfect for a backup incase I cut a tire on a rock or something. Also, these are way better for things like bikepacking where space is somewhat of a concern.

[@RealLifeReviews]

Absolutey - thank you 😀

[@reganarendse6157]

Placed an order for four tubes within 9minutes of starting the video. Thank you

[@RealLifeReviews]

Thank you for your comment - I'm pleased the video was useful.

[@seraph4581]

Been using RideNow TPU tubes for 3 months now for over 800km and no issues. Zero punctures. I do use Mr Tuffy liners though for extra protection.

[@krissk77]

Just started using tpu and I think they are ok... ordered 4 from amazon... Will add more. 😊 done 90km already.

[@simonfrost8279]

I bought the standard Road 2 years ago for my hill climb bike. They are not robust enough for uk roads. Many punctures and a wrecked rear rim from a pothole strike where it just popped like a balloon convinced me to stick with tubeless.

[@dogphlap6749]

Tubolito tubes and valves are manufactured in Austria. If you don't like the price you can get a similar (possibly lower quality) product from China for a quarter of the cost.

[@truthseeker8483]

TPU Tubes are a non brainer.....I have been using them for a while with zero issues....

[@RealLifeReviews]

Thank you for taking the time to comment - it is much appreciated.

[@timfreeman2603]

I put these in my MTB in preference to tubeless valves and 2 replacement tyres.

[@RealLifeReviews]

Many thanks for taking the time to comment - it's much appreciated.

[@tomfernandez2387]

Just purchased these. They are definitely light. One potential concern I found out afterwards… as the valves are not threaded I’m concerned that they will rattle on my carbon rims. Guessing that could likely be remedied with tape or a rubber washer around the valve. Have yet to test but I’m hopeful that they live up to the claims. Small price to pay for significant weight savings

[@RealLifeReviews]

Yes to all 😀. When I tried them out I just put some black electrical tape around the base of the valve stems.

[@ericpmoss]

I wish they had metal stems, but I do like how these aren't crimping the stem over at a sharp angle in the box. Metal stems so that I don't accidentally bend the stem and make it harder for the core to seal.

[@jamesbenning9665]

Agree, I think it's a key weakness and there are reports of leakage past the valve. There are generic ones (green) that have metal valve stems and of course, they are heavier but for me, represent the best compromise between weight and reliability.

[@mkenyon7429]

Polyurethane s are thermosets. Good review. Been thinking about TPU tubes for down tube storage. Could get two or more tubes. 😊

[@RealLifeReviews]

Absolutely. Thank you for taking the time to comment, it's much appreciated.

[@dogphlap6749]

I've employed 4 Chinese TPU tubes, 2 of which had the valves fail to hold tyre pressure after a month. I'd strongly suggest only buying TPU tubes with replaceable valve cores (most presta ones are not).

[@gc641]

So far after 6 months my ridenow is doing great

[@RealLifeReviews]

I glad to hear that. Many thanks for taking the time to comment, it’s much appreciated.

[@rick-wg4in]

So far, and about a month later, I'm on RideNow, 36gram for my road bike. So far so good. What I don't hear mention of are the TPU tubes that fail right out the box. Would like to hear more about this potential risky expenditure.

[@RealLifeReviews]

Fair comment - I'm intrigued to hear more regarding people's experiences.

[@festerofest4374]

My ONLY TPU failure (RideNow) was an extremely slow leak (it took overnight to be noticeable) after installing. It could have been me causing it during installation... I dunno. The pin hole was so tiny it was very hard to find even with a water bucket. I carry 2 spares, but it wouldn't be a bad idea to pre-inflate and test just to be sure.... only downside with that is you loose that super-tight factory rolled-up condition.... you would have to fuss a little to re-roll nie and compact. Also, I have found rubbing the tube with some corn starch or talc before installation to be helpful. It only takes a tiny amount of powder but it seems to remove some of the "static-y" stick-to-itself behavior of the plastic material, making for a nicer installation, IMO.

[@jamesmcguckin6288]

I bought two of these and one of them leaked through the valve stem. Tried re gluing the valve, unfortunately the valve stem became brittle and fell to pieces, so I binned it. I have ordered another two TPU tubes which have alloy valve stems which weigh 36 grams but hopefully will be more robust regarding the valve stem. Plastic stem type to be avoided in my opinion. I’ve also bought some latex tubes which transforms your ride re comfort.

[@artt3231]

A nightmare to repair a puncture. Followed the instructions as described by Tubolito but impossible to fix. Forced to bin. Could you make a video on how to repair a puncture? That would be so helpful

[@truthseeker8483]

Throw it away and buy another...

[@RealLifeReviews]

A good idea - I'll add it to the list. Just one little tip though, make sure you use the glue that they supply and that it isn't cold.

[@krissk77]

Use the patches they come with.. mine came with 4 ...so far no punctures.

[@RenghisKhan]

Don't bin them, give them to someone with a 3d-printer.

[@donbethel7675]

I use glue less patches and wipes, and it super fast and easy to repair. No need to throw away, you just have to be smarter than the inner tube.

[@lawrencebaker6233]

Brilliantly informative video.. thanks!!

[@RealLifeReviews]

Not a problem - thank you for your kind words.

[@canepaper967]

10:03 they absolutely leak more air than butyl. I have 2 bikes that had flat front tyres that now have TPU in the front and butyl in the rear. I have to inflate the front tyres on these bikes at least 4 times for every time I pump the rear tyre. That could be down to these tubes being aliexpress tubes or maybe the valves being of lower quality but that's been my experience.

[@festerofest4374]

My RideNow's hold air very well... I've experienced slower air loss than butyl, personally.

[@jamess7181]

Loved these initially but over time and 10 tubes the valves gradually gave up.

[@haroldsmith45302]

Are they patch-able? What is the patching process?

[@RealLifeReviews]

Hi, yes they are. Tubolito recommend their own patches and glue.

[@gengar678]

I use them . I love em. we dont talk about money...

[@RealLifeReviews]

I'm glad you like them. Many thanks for taking the time to comment - it's much appreciated.

[@skyrunr]

I've been curious about these, but I'm concerned about plastic versus butyl from a sustainability point of view. This thin TPU seems worse and more hazardous to wildlife when dropped or in the landfill. Or maybe it is less material, and therefor less of an issue.

[@RealLifeReviews]

A totally viable concern - Tubolito have a recycle programme and you can return them or drop them off at a specific retailer (you'd need to contact Tubolito).

[@festerofest4374]

Oh brother. Don't consume anything then, otherwise you might not be able to sleep at night.

[@skyrunr]

@@festerofest4374 Making more responsible choices helps me sleep better at night, and so does setting a better example for my family. Highly recommended!

[@rickguerrero2282]

At 10:05 in your video, you claim that Tubolito tubes leak air the same way that a butyl tube does. I have used Tubelito’s and Schwalbe Aerothon’s for over 2 years, and my experience is that both brands absolutely 100% undoubtedly hold air significantly better than standard butyl tubes. I only have to add air to either brand of TPU tube about every 2 weeks……and I ride 2 hours every other day. And for what it’s worth, the Tubolito patch kit successfully patches both Tubolito tubes and Schwalbe Aerothon tubes. I don’t think I can ever go back to standard butyl tubes after being so happy with the performance of TPU tubes.

[@RealLifeReviews]

I'm so pleased that your experience is so positive. Thank for taking the time to comment - it is much appreciated.

[@festerofest4374]

I too have found TPU's to hold air better/longer than butyl.

[@yvesn58]

Hopefully more reliable than Ridenow ones with which I had bad experiences with 4 tubes.

[@RealLifeReviews]

I've no experience of the Ridenow tubes but I've had one of these for a couple of weeks now in the front of my road bike and it's been fine so far (about 350km). My main use is to carry when racing as a backup to a catastrophic tubeless failure 😂.

[@jam6875]

My ridenow ones have been great, 36gram with the clear plastic valve

[@bingbing3464]

Ridenow are more reliable than pirelli's and tubulito in my experience. Especially the newer ones with metal stems.

[@festerofest4374]

@@bingbing3464 I have the plastic stem RideNow's and they have been fine. I just re-used the two I had on the bike when I put on new tires a few days ago and I checked today and they are still fully inflated.

[@WowRixter]

Can a TPU tube be reused. If I use it just as a backup then when I get home swap out for a butyl tube can I repackage and use it as a backup again?

[@RealLifeReviews]

Hi there - yes it can. Just let the air out/roll it back up 😀

[@festerofest4374]

I have reused mine when putting on new tires. If there isn't a leak no reason not to as long as the tube is the appropriate size for the tire. They only stretch so much so proper sizing is important, but that's true with all tubes.

[@benschuttenbeld]

What about the recommended tire pressure? You can run tubeless on a 1 bar lower tire pressure compared to butile tubes. Are tpu tubes similar to tubeless or butile?

[@festerofest4374]

Same air pressure as butyl.

[@benschuttenbeld]

@@festerofest4374 Thanks. Too bad. I like tubeless because of the comfort of lower tire pressure.

[@theBFactor]

Could have rolled the black tube half as thick as he showed it. Did not compare them fairly for rolled size.

[@MarquitoRH]

Not really … even straight out of the box they are about that size IMHO

[@thegeordiefellwalker8878]

good but pricey. I'll stick with latex for the ride feel 🚴👍

[@RealLifeReviews]

I'm sure your sentiments ring true with a lot of people.

[@robertharrison4049]

Your price is ridiculous, they can be obtained on eBay for as little as as £5 each. I bought eight for £32. I used them on road,static trainer and gravel with no punctures. They are brilliant and work better with quality tyres.

[@RealLifeReviews]

Hi there - the price is the standard retail price. With care Ebay, Amazon etc. will often have 'deals'.

[@pedigreedDOUG]

no thanks have rode to work 5 days a week get a flat once a year tried tpu 4 flats in 5 days went back to butyl 7 months later no flats

[@truthseeker8483]

They need careful fitting...lightly blown up just enough to get it's shape before inserting in the tyre.

[@RealLifeReviews]

I'm sorry to hear that. As @truthseeker8483 says, they do need careful fitting. Peoples experiences seem to be at either end of the spectrum.

[@whistlerrealestate1]

Same here and it wasn’t a fitting issue. They just randomly develop holes for no reason. Tubolitos are garbage. I’ve also tried the Pirelli Smart Tubes. Same garbage. I’ve also used the patch kits for them and they also don’t work. Won’t stick whatsoever. And it wasn’t because they were cold. 👎🏼

[@casperdegohst6492]

too pricey for the extremely low 'advantages' hard pass