AERON CX/GRAVEL TUBE TYPES

* compared to corresponding butyl tubes

TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) is gaining ground when it comes to equipping your bike with the right inner tubes. Until now, the butyl inner tube was the measure of all things. Whether road freaks, racing cyclists, mountain bikers, gravel riders or even commuters, everyone has seen and probably touched one of these black butyl tubes - at the latest after the first puncture. However, the cycling world is actually on the brink of a kind of turning point: the good old black butyl tube could - and probably should - soon be a thing of the past.

Thermoplastic polyurethane - the new material for bicycle inner tubes

The old familiar products are being replaced by TPU inner tubes, which are now being offered by several brands. TPU has many advantages over the black rubber inner tube. But what is TPU anyway? Thermoplastics are plastics that deform when heated and solidify when they cool down. This property makes them ideal for the production of bicycle inner tubes, as they can easily adapt to any tyre size and width. TPU inner tubes can also be customised. For example, they can be produced in multiple layers, equipped with more or less puncture protection and produced in any colour - the TPU inner tube is an all-round artist.

Why TPU inner tubes for gravel bikes?

TPU inner tubes are suitable for all cyclists and can be used in MTB bikes, road bikes, everyday bikes, gravel bikes and even e-bikes. The type of use is also variable. Whether racing on gravel, touring or everyday use on the road - TPU tubes have many advantages everywhere and in combination with all possible tyres and rim widths (TPU tubes are of course also available with Sclaverand valves (sv) or car valves). For gravel bikes, riders can now explicitly decide whether they want a lightweight, good rolling, extremely puncture-resistant tube or one that combines many of these properties, an all-round talent, so to speak. Because TPU inner tubes can be really customised. See the variety of Aeron TPU tubes.

Does a TPU tube really make sense for a gravel bike?

Gravel biking is, and gravel bikes are, extremely diverse. There are bikes that are designed for gravel racing. There are also gravel bikes that are ridden almost exclusively on the road, almost like a racing bike, and there are gravel bikes that are almost like an MTB and with which their riders want to go on long adventures. There are many different gradations in between. This is precisely why it makes sense to use a bicycle inner tube or bicycle inner tubes with different properties. While competitive riders in short races on good gravel surfaces tend to pay more attention to weight and opt for a lightweight TPU inner tube, riders on an adventure trophy covering thousands of kilometres tend to rely on almost puncture-proof inner tubes, i.e. very high puncture protection. TPU inner tubes also have enormous advantages over butyl rubber inner tubes as spare tyres, as they are much lighter and have a smaller pack size. So TPU inner tubes and gravel tyres make perfect sense.

Are gravel bike TPU tubes better than classic butyl bike tubes?

Quite clearly: Yes! TPU tubes offer equal riding behaviour, but they roll better, are lighter, have a smaller pack size and are significantly more puncture-resistant than a butyl tube. To put it bluntly: TPU tubes only have advantages over butyl tubes. The only thing is that they are more expensive to buy, but this is clearly relativised by all the advantages. You can find all the advantages of TPU inner tubes in this article.

Tubeless or TPU inner tube for gravel bikes?

This question is not easy to answer. Let's take a closer look.

•  In terms of rolling resistance, a tubeless system is a tiny bit ahead of the TPU system. In races this may be an argument in favour of tubeless, but for adventure and training rides it is probably negligible.
• Weight: The TPU system is probably ahead here. With a 40 millimetre wide tyre, the necessary sealant in the tubeless tyre in combination with its valve (whether Sclaverand with valve core or auto valve) and the tubeless patches ("bacon strips", "flick sausages" or "tubeless salami") are already heavier than a TPU tube.
• Pack size: Replacement sealant and TPU inner tube should be roughly the same size.
• Puncture protection: Tubeless has always been the measure of all things. If a small spike punctures the tyre, you pull it out and the sealant closes the hole. This is quick and lasts for hours, days, weeks, even months. Things get complicated when you have to patch a larger hole that the sealant alone cannot manage. This is where the tubeless salami comes in. If you have some practice, this is relatively easy. However, if there is a large tear in the casing, caused by a large shard for example, and even several tubeless patches no longer help, then you are out of luck. You're lucky if you have a TPU inner tube as a spare. However, to be honest, this is where the mess with the sealant begins. And at the latest when your hands and clothes are soiled with the sticky stuff, some of you will wonder why you didn't opt for a puncture-proof TPU inner tube in the first place.
• Which brings us to the assembly. TPU hoses are available with Sklaverand valves (SV, with small valve core) as well as with auto valves. They are just as easy to fit as the old butyl tubes. Remove the tyre from the rim on one side, remove the old inner tube and valve, insert the new inner tube, pump it up slightly, lift the tyre onto the rim, inflate the inner tube fully and you're done.

Gravel bike with rim brakes - can I also ride TPU inner tubes here?

There is no reason why TPU inner tubes cannot be used with rim brakes - regardless of the tyre width or tyre size used, and regardless of whether MTB, road bike or gravel bike. Another good property of the material is its high heat resistance. So no matter how hot a rim is braked, the TPU tube will hold up.

Can I repair a TPU inner tube on a gravel bike?

Yes, of course! In addition to many different tubes, Aeron also offers a patch kit. This will contain glue and patches with which you can easily and quickly patch the TPU tube.