TPU Tube option from Rene Herse
 

A little thicker than some and with a metal valve stem. Looks interesting:

https://www.renehersecycles.com/rene...ces-tpu-tubes/

And only 6x the price of Cyclami TPU tubes which also have metal valve stems. :rolleyes:

Tim

I was really happy to read this. One of the worries I've had about the TPU tubes with plastic stems is that I don't think you're supposed to use CO2 with them? Or maybe I'm imagining that.

Anyway, the RH ones have a metal stem and I trust them to put out a quality product for sure. Will likely be ordering some as soon as they're released. It would be nice to have confirmation that these are compatible with CO2 or if they're pump-only.

"most TPU tubes use plastic valve stems, and the plastic deforms when the (metal) valve core in screwed in. Then the tube leaks, not because the material is porous, but because the valve doesn’t seal. "

Blah blah blah...

The Schwalbe Aerothan TPUs I've running hold air impressively. I chose these over lighter options hoping for less durability compromise, and thus far seen this.

Have to say the reviews of those Cyclami tubes look rough. Price is great, but clearly seems to have a QC issue.

Will be curious to see if the RH TPU tubes fare any differently once the reviews are in.

Adjectives
 

I was so sick of "super". Now, I cannot stand it's replacement: "ultra". JH uses this word at least 11-times in his website to describe his TPU tubes.

Ultra-thin, Ultra-fast, Ultra-light, Ultra-high pressure.

He may be right and the TPU tubes are the bomb even for their ultra-high price. ;-)

But if one resorts to using "ultra" to describe every parameter of the TPU tube, the only word that echoes in my mind is that is all of this ultra-BS?

Isn't the metal valve stem going to potentially rub and damage the TPU material, especially when rolled up in a tool bag?

Never ever had a problem with the plastic valve stems on Tubolitos. They're largely emergency-use items, anyway.

I looked at them on the Above Category site. They’re described as “super light but sensibly so”. There’s that word. They actually are lighter than normal Tubolitos and about the same as the “S” model for road sized. RH is a little cheaper than Tubolito which must kill Above Category. Imagine leaving margin on the table.

I have never been disappointed with any RH products so these tubes will most likely be the same. No doubt I will try them.

Intrigued, a bit.
I've not dabbled in tubolito-type tubes. However, there is an argument to be made for a lightweight tube in place of topping up sealant in seldom-ridden tires/wheels. Latex tubes (or butyl in a pinch) are what I use in that situation now. Maybe these RH TPUs could be an upgrade...

fwiw, the RH NUDA minipump was a bit frustrating, but otherwise, I gladly buy their stuff, tires mostly.

Totally unfamiliar with polyurethane tubes and am now curious.

My jersey pocket would love a lighter/smaller spare tube.

I am sort of curious, that is an expensive tube though

I've never explored any alternate tubes.

At this point I go so long between flats maybe I'd consider it.

However these are all out of stock anyway.. maybe they announced before they actually got them in stock.

Can they take the heat from heavy rim braking? A lot of the TPU tubes say not for rim brakes.

They don't say and they show Jan riding rim brakes in one of the pictures.

Be interesting to know for sure.