AERON CITY/TOUR TUBE TYPES

* compared to corresponding butyl tubes

Cyclists have always relied on butyl inner tubes. Everyone knows them, everyone has patched or changed them after a puncture. However, the cycling world is on the brink of a new era, and the good old black butyl inner tube will soon be a thing of the past. With thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), a new material is entering the world of bicycle inner tubes that promises many advantages over butyl inner tubes.

What is TPU?

The well-known hoses are being replaced by TPU hoses. TPU - thermoplastic polyurethane - has many advantages over the black rubber hose. But what is TPU anyway? Thermoplastics are plastics that deform when heated and solidify when they cool down. TPU has long been used in manufacturing for the automotive, transport, aerospace, sports equipment and medical device industries. TPU combines the high durability of plastic parts with the elasticity of rubber, making it the ideal material for applications that require repeated bending or compression of parts. Due to its elasticity, TPU is often used as an impact modifier in products such as helmets, protective packaging, vibration damping products or seals. TPU also has excellent abrasion resistance and is therefore used in applications with high friction (e.g. interior components of vehicles) or for electrical cables and insulation. 

Are TPU inner tubes better than classic butyl bicycle inner tubes?

The short answer is yes, absolutely. TPU bicycle inner tubes such as those from AERON can be created or engineered, so to speak. In other words, engineers can give a bicycle inner tube exactly the attributes that the rider needs for the application in question. Of course, a TPU inner tube can be produced in different sizes and widths and also with a desired valve. But there's more: a TPU inner tube can be manufactured in such a way that it offers more or less puncture protection, it can be heavier or lighter and, of course, come in different colours. Many tests carried out by independent institutes and test magazines ultimately clearly show the advantages of TPU bicycle inner tubes over those made of butyl. They are:

• Lighter
• Work with less pressure
• More puncture resistant
• Better rolling resistance
• Easier to mount
• Smaller pack size
• Less air loss
• Heat-resistant even with rim brakes
• More sustainable

Are TPU inner tubes better for trekking bikes and city bikes?

You might think that TPU bicycle inner tubes are particularly suitable for sporty road or mountain bike riders due to the advantages mentioned above. After all, performance-orientated cyclists in particular are interested in the advantages of the thermoplastic material: Rolling resistance as good as latex tubes, puncture protection like a tubeless system or light and small so that a tube fits in any small jersey or tool bag. But what's good for athletes can't be bad for a rider on a trekking bike or city bike. Even those who are out and about in the city or on a leisurely weekend tour will appreciate the small pack size and weight, as well as the puncture protection and low rolling resistance of TPU inner tubes and thus the better riding experience.

What are the best bicycle inner tubes for trekking bikes and city bikes?

Ultimately, this question has already been answered in the section above. TPU inner tubes are the future, the old butyl tubes have had their day. In this respect, TPU inner tubes are also the best choice for riders of trekking and city bikes. Ultimately, the only question here is which TPU inner tube the rider chooses. If he already has a casing, i.e. a bicycle tyre, with high puncture protection and a large wall thickness in the carcass, he does not need to choose a TPU inner tube with optimised puncture protection. Such a trekking bike rider can then opt for a very light TPU inner tube. However, if the city bike is fitted with a visually attractive but very slim, thin tyre, a TPU inner tube with increased puncture protection is worthwhile.

Tubeless or inner tube for trekking bikes?

Many cyclists shy away from fitting tubeless systems, not least because fitting with the rim tape (sealing the spoke holes and valve hole) and the sealant - especially if you are inexperienced - can turn into quite a mess. Nevertheless, more and more cyclists have switched to tubeless systems in recent years, ultimately because tubeless, in combination with the sealant added to the system, provides excellent puncture protection and there are now many good descriptions in text and moving images on how to fit them. Mountain bikers and gravel bikers in particular have opted for this feature in combination with better rolling resistance compared to tyres with a butyl inner tube. Even racing cyclists are increasingly discovering a liking for tubeless tyres - mainly due to the low rolling resistance. However, the new TPU bicycle tubes could now become serious competition for tubeless systems. Because if fitting is easier than with tubeless, the rolling resistance is only slightly worse and the puncture protection is very good, then trekking and city bikers in particular, who don't want to stand in the middle of the forest or go to the nearest restaurant with dirty fingers and dirty clothing, are very well advised to use a TPU tube.

Which inner tube holds the air best?

First of all, TPU tubes are ridden with similar air pressure to butyl tubes. As already mentioned, TPU bicycle inner tubes can be created, i.e. equipped with special properties such as good rolling resistance or optimised puncture protection. It is therefore not surprising that TPU tubes also hold air better than butyl tubes. A rider with a trekking bike or city bike therefore has to use an air pump less often.

On which rims can TPU inner tubes be used?

Bicycle inner tubes made of thermoplastic polyurethane can withstand even high temperatures. With this in mind, they can be mounted on a rim or a wheel with disc brakes or rim brakes.