Out with the Old, In with the TPU: Rene Herse's Tube Revolution

Tubeless tires have been the go-to for their puncture-sealing capabilities, but the hassle of frequent sealant top-ups and unpredictability of air retention has left some riders yearning for a simpler solution. Enter TPU tubes: a game-changer that combines the speed and lightness of latex tubes without their notorious air leakage, all while sidestepping the complications of tubeless setups.

Crafted from thermoplastic polyurethane, a material far surpassing the durability of traditional butyl rubber, TPU tubes offer an unmatched blend of strength, weight savings, and puncture resistance. Rene Herse's innovative approach includes a patented all-metal valve design to eliminate air leakage issues associated with plastic valve stems. Furthermore, by slightly increasing the material thickness and ensuring uniform wall thicknesses, these tubes promise enhanced durability without compromising their superlight appeal.

The extensive real-world testing of Rene Herse TPU tubes has revealed their ability to roll faster on actual roads compared to both steel drum tests and the performance of ultra-thin latex tubes. These findings, corroborated by roll-down tests with live riders, underscore the tubes' superior efficiency and speed, with full details to be shared in the Spring 2024 edition of Bicycle Quarterly.

Beyond their performance benefits, TPU tubes are remarkably user-friendly, boasting easy installation and simple repair processes. The tubes are compatible with a wide range of tire sizes and come in two valve lengths, featuring unthreaded stems for hassle-free use with press-on pump heads. Their ultra-lightweight and compact nature make them perfect as spare tubes, offering a reliable backup for tubeless tire users.

Specifications

• Material: Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU)
• Valve Types: All-metal valves, 50 mm (polished) and 70 mm (black), non-threaded
• Weight: 32 grams for narrow racing tires version
• Sizes Available: 700C (20-68 mm wide), 650B/26" (30-68 mm wide)
• Features:
  • 1/4 the weight of standard butyl tubes
  • Less rolling resistance than butyl or tubeless, on par with lightweight latex tubes
  • 1/4 the volume of standard butyl tubes, ideal for spares
  • Durable, easy to install, and simple to repair with included patch kit