TPU inner tubes redefine what a bike tube can be. This advanced material unlocks performance levels that simply aren’t possible with traditional compounds like butyl. Significantly lower weight, outstanding air retention, reduced rolling resistance, and exceptional puncture protection make TPU a genuine game changer. Once you’ve ridden it, the question is no longer if—but why’d it take this long?
TPU inner tubes redefine what a bike tube can be. This advanced material unlocks performance levels that simply aren’t possible with traditional compounds like butyl. Significantly lower weight, outstanding air retention, reduced rolling resistance, and exceptional puncture protection make TPU a genuine game changer. Once you’ve ridden it, the question is no longer if—but why’d it take this long?
AERON/TPU airtubes are up to 80 percent lighter than butyl alternatives. This saves you weight where it impacts you the most: in rotating mass. Your bike accelerates faster, responds more directly, and handles better.
TPU can be rolled up incredibly small. AERON/TPU tubes fit where butyl tubes are too big, freeing up space for spares, tools, or nutrition. Less bulk with more freedom on the road or trail.
TPU holds air pressure far better than butyl. Tire pressure stays consistent day after day, with less topping off, more reliable performance, and greater confidence in your equipment.
Every time a rolling tire deforms over a bump it costs energy. The thin-walled TPU construction is supple to rapidly absorb the terrain changes. The result is a fast, fluid rolling sensation you can instantly feel. It is efficiency you never have to think about.
AERON/TPU delivers performance comparable to a tubeless setup, but without the complexity. TPU inner tubes are used like conventional inner tubes, but are lightweight, efficient, and hassle-free. AERON/TPU airtubes are the best choice for riders who demand performance without sacrificing everyday usability.
TPU is highly flexible yet extremely resilient. Foreign objects tend to cause deformation rather than damage – significantly reducing punctures and increasing reliability on long rides, in races, or in daily use.
For nearly a decade, AERON/TPU has focused exclusively on TPU inner tubes – because TPU isn’t a trend, it’s the future.
Our airtube systems are built around our own material and construction solutions. Weight, airtightness, and puncture protection are precisely balanced. Performance is not an accident. We know how to engineer it.
Engineers, material scientists, and manufacturing specialists work side by side at AERON/TPU to drive the next evolution of the bicycle inner tube. TPU isn’t just a means to an end, it is the key technology.
From development to final inspection, every product follows clearly defined processes. At AERON/TPU, quality is the result of consistency and attention to detail.
What works in theory must perform in real conditions. Our tubes are ridden, stressed, and refined outside the lab. Real-world testing is paramount in development.
TPU is pure grade and fully recyclable. Our products are designed from the beginning for a more responsible use of resources.
AERON/TPU manufacturing technology allows multilayer construction within an Airtube.
AERON/TPU valve bases are mechanically heat bonded to endure demanding leak testing.
The specially designed AERON/TPU valve stems guarantee optimum pump head interface and retention.
Every AERON/TPU Airtube is subjected to strict quality controls.
AERON/TPU valve cores are permanently bonded to ensure reliable and long-lasting performance.
High-end aluminum valve stem. Perfect combination of lightweight construction durability and flawless finish.
Multi-layer constructions and different TPU formulations create precisely tuned inner tube concepts. Three product lines cover clearly defined areas of use.
SUPERLITE RACE – PROTECTION LEVEL 2: RACE / MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE
Designed for pure speed. With ultra‑low rolling resistance and exceptionally low weight, SuperLite Race delivers race-day performance without sacrificing basic puncture protection in a small packed size.
EXTRALITE PROTECT – PROTECTION LEVEL 3: ENDURANCE / HIGH PERFORMANCE
The sweet spot between performance and reliability. ExtraLite Protect balances effective puncture protection with low weight and smooth rolling – making it ideal for riders who want efficiency without compromises.
ULTRAPROTECT – PROTECTION LEVEL 6: DURABILITY / PERFORMANCE
Built for riders who demand maximum reliability. UltraProtect combines outstanding puncture resistance with exceptional durability, while offering excellent air retention and a surprisingly low weight for its level of protection.
| Category | Weight Advantage (%) | Low rolling resistance (%) | Puncture protection (%) | Air retention (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Butyl | 17 | 80 | 49 | 83 |
| SuperLite Race | 100 | 100 | 50 | 88 |
| ExtraLite Protect | 65 | 97 | 61 | 91 |
| UltraProtect | 31 | 77 | 100 | 100 |
ExtraLite Protect and SuperLite Race are engineered for maximum efficiency, minimal weight and maximum impact.
Every gram of reduced rotating mass translates directly into performance with faster acceleration, sharper response and immediate gains where it counts.
Multiple AERON/TPU tubes take up less space than a single butyl tube. Designed for modern bikes with integrated storage and minimalist setups.
TPU’s high flexibility minimizes energy loss. The ride feel is light, fast, and efficient – exactly what performance should feel like.
The UltraProtect models stand for maximum reliability. Built for long days, changing conditions, and the highest demands on materials.
Multi-layer construction, high material strength, and exceptional resistance turn punctures into rare exceptions.
TPU resists pinch flats far better than butyl. Even at lower pressures, the system remains stable and ready to ride.
Reduced air loss means less effort. TPU keeps pressure stable and your bike ready whenever you are.
Ultra-light, super-fast and mega-compact: AERON/TPU road bike tubes are trimmed for maximum performance. Depending on the discipline and intended use, they guarantee you the perfect set-up with a focus on maximum weight saving and minimum rolling resistance or outstanding puncture protection.
TPU technology, perfectly designed for off-road use: Lightweight, puncture-proof, low rolling resistance and the smallest pack size. AERON/TPU offers high-performance tubes for gravel and cyclocross racers as well as variants with maximum puncture protection for bikepackers and ultra-riders.
Tech for trails: AERON/TPU provides the perfect tube technology for mountain bikers with the best compromise between lightness, puncture resistance and low rolling resistance. Specific models offer you the perfect tube for your favourite mountain bike discipline, depending on your preferred terrain or riding style.
Developed for bikers who want maximum reliability in everyday use. AERON/TPU tubes for city and touring are characterised by optimised puncture protection. Their low weight and low rolling resistance also increase performance and the fun factor on every tour.
The well-known tubes are being replaced by TPU tubes. Because TPU - thermoplastic polyurethane - has many advantages over the black rubber tube. Please also read our TPU introductory text. 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 and 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.
Yes, TPU bicycle inner tubes such as those from AERON-TPU can be created or engineered, so to speak. This means that 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 produced 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 bicycle inner tubes made of TPU over those made of butyl. They are:
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, touring or everyday use - TPU tubes have many advantages everywhere and in combination with all kinds of tyres, according to unanimous reviews from test laboratories, professional athletes and other users.
As already mentioned, an AERON/TPU inner tube can really be customised. With this in mind, AERON-TPU offers tyres for MTB, gravel, road, city and touring. These are not only available in different widths and wheel sizes, they also come in different categories, from super light models optimised for rolling resistance to very robust tubes that can take on anything, even off-road. Of course, there are also different valves with different valve lengths.
TPU tubes are significantly lighter than butyl tubes. While a road bike tyre made of the well-known material weighs around 120 grams, a TPU inner tube of comparable width weighs between 25 and 40 grams (including valve). Incidentally, the TPU tube also performs better in comparison with a tubeless system in which between 30 and 60 millimetres/gram of sealant plus valve are used.
Due to the high surface tension and strength of the material, the tyre develops good stability even at low air pressure. It is therefore already well formed at less than one bar, when a butyl tyre is still flabby. With the TPU tube, lower pressures can also be used in the tyre casing, which significantly increases comfort when riding.
TPU is more resistant to tears and cuts compared to conventional rubber inner tubes. If you want to puncture a TPU tube with a needle, for example, you need three to four times as much force to punch a hole in the material compared to a butyl tube. Even when it comes to the risk of so-called snakebite - when the tube is subjected to high pressure, it punctures the rim of the rim and creates two holes - the TPU tube impresses with its greater inherent stability and performs significantly better than a butyl tube. In fact, manufacturers can even produce their TPU inner tubes in multiple layers and thus improve the resistance of their products enormously. If a TPU inner tube does have to accept a hole, it can be repaired easily, cleanly and quickly with self-adhesive patches - no more roughening the surface as with butyl tubes, no more glue on your fingers.
TPU tubes have a lower permeability compared to some rubber tubes. This means that they are less susceptible to air loss, which has a positive effect on tyre pressure and riding characteristics. They are also more resistant to weather conditions such as extreme heat or cold.
Even if there are die-hard tubeless fans out there, a puncture in open terrain is a problem, and if you can't close the hole even with a tyre plug kit, you'll need a spare tube. A TPU inner tube is also much better than a butyl tube for this purpose, as it is not only lighter than the rubber product, but also packs down much smaller. This is an advantage for all cyclists, but especially for bikepackers who have to carry a lot of luggage on their bikes on long tours anyway.
Fitting the new TPU inner tubes is just as easy as with butyl inner tubes. Lift off the tyre cover on one side, insert the inner tube, pump it up slightly, lift the cover over the rim, inflate the tyre, done. The ease of fitting is the big advantage of the TPU inner tube over tubeless systems. Many cyclists shy away from the complicated tubeless installation - and rightly so. You have to be reasonably experienced to convert your wheels to tubeless, and at the latest after a puncture that the system cannot seal with sealing milk, you are faced with quite a mess.
Both butyl and TPU inner tubes can be recycled. However, TPU products leave a significantly lower CO2 footprint during manufacturing. This is due to the raw material and the lower weight. Less water is also used in the production of TPU hoses.