TPU Inner Tube: Features, Pros, and Cons for Road Bikes and MTB

What Is a TPU Tube?

For many years, “butyl” has been the main material for bicycle inner tubes, followed by “latex,” which offers greater lightness and durability. In recent years, a third option has emerged: the “TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane Elastomer) tube.”

TPU is a type of plastic that, despite its high strength, has rubber-like elasticity. This unique combination allows it to offer both durability and flexibility.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Using TPU Tubes for Road Bikes and MTBs

Advantages

The main advantages of using TPU tubes in road bikes and MTBs include:

1. Lightweight
2. High puncture resistance
3. Low rolling resistance
4. High portability

The Biggest Advantage: Weight Reduction

TPU tubes are primarily noted for their lightness. While most lightweight road bike inner tubes weigh around 100g, typical TPU tubes weigh about 40g. Using them on both wheels can reduce weight by nearly 100g.

This weight-saving effect is even greater with wider tires. For example, butyl tubes for gravel bikes (700 x 40C or larger) or MTBs (29 x 2.2 inches or larger) can weigh 200g or even close to 400g. Even though MTB-sized TPU tubes can weigh up to 100g each, they still offer a significant weight advantage over butyl tubes—up to 600g for both wheels.

Another Major Advantage: Compact Size

TPU tubes are also highly portable. Compared to conventional tubes, TPU tubes have over 70% less volume, allowing you to carry two or more TPU tubes in the space needed for one butyl tube.

The image below compares the size of a TPU tube and a standard butyl tube for road bikes, clearly showing the significant difference in compactness.

Disadvantages

Although TPU tubes seem to offer significant advantages, they also have several notable disadvantages.

1. High price
2. Poor heat resistance (some products cannot be used with rim brakes)
3. Fast aging (short lifespan)
4. Lose air easily

The most significant drawback is the price. While butyl inner tubes can be purchased for around $10 each, TPU tubes often cost over $30 per tube, with some high-end models exceeding $50.

Additionally, TPU tubes are “weak to heat” and “age quickly.” While the material itself is strong, TPU is vulnerable to heat, so some products cannot be used with rim brakes.

Polyurethane degrades due to moisture and ultraviolet light, which leads to faster aging. Depending on the product, polyurethane can start to show signs of aging about 2–3 years after the material is manufactured (not after the tube is made, but after the material itself is produced).

As a result, while TPU tubes themselves have high puncture resistance, depending on how they are used, aging can reduce their puncture resistance and shorten their lifespan as tire tubes.

There is also a risk that if the product has been in stock for a long time, degradation may have already started by the time you purchase it.

For those who dislike frequent maintenance, the fact that “they lose air easily” is another disadvantage. TPU tubes are said to lose air at a rate similar to latex tubes, sometimes dropping by about 2 bar in a single day.

If you adjust tire pressure before every ride, this may not be an issue, but if you prefer to inflate your tires once and then ride for a while without refilling, TPU tubes may not be suitable for you.

How Should TPU Tubes Be Used?

Use for Special Occasions Like Races

Given the “rapid aging” weakness of TPU tubes, they are best used in targeted situations where you want to maximize weight savings, such as races or cycling events.

In races, which typically last only a few hours or days, you can enjoy the benefits of reduced weight without worrying about durability. After the event, simply switch back to a conventional tube like butyl, allowing you to fully enjoy the weight advantage during the ride without concern for longevity.

Conversely, TPU tubes are not well suited for everyday use if you want to “avoid frequent tube changes” or “use tubes for as long as possible.”

Replace Regularly Within a Set Period

With road bikes and MTBs, the usual practice is to “replace the inner tube when it gets a puncture” or “replace it when it can no longer be repaired.” If you don’t get a puncture, you might use the same tube for years, especially if you can patch it.

However, as explained earlier, TPU tubes are prone to aging, making them unsuitable for long-term use like conventional tubes.

Therefore, if you use TPU tubes on your road bike or MTB, it’s best to “replace them reliably every six months or once a year.” However, since TPU tubes are expensive and have a shorter lifespan, their running cost will be higher compared to butyl or other conventional tubes.

Comparison of Major Manufacturers’ TPU Tubes for Road, MTB, and Gravel Bikes

Frequently Asked Questions about TPU Tubes