TPU Tubes

I run my tires tubeless and carry these TPUs in my downtube for emergency. I have read that Silca had the best product due to tack welding the ends and using clear plastic, whcih seems to make it the strongest TPU on the market.

I’ve used a lot of TPU tubes over the years, and most of them feel like they were engineered by people who hate floor pumps. SILCA’s TPU Tube is the first one that made me stop treating every spare tube install like a hostage negotiation. It’s ridiculously compact, absurdly light, and somehow still manages to inflate without twisting itself into modern art halfway through installation. I tossed one in my saddle bag expecting “emergency-only backup,” and now it’s become my default because it just works. The real magic is how tiny it packs down. I swear this thing takes up less space than a gel wrapper, which means I finally have room in my kit for important things, like snacks I’ll forget to eat. Bonus points for not feeling terrifyingly fragile the second you touch it. Some TPU tubes make you feel like you’re handling a soap bubble with a valve stem attached. This one actually inspires confidence. Downside: now when someone asks if I have a spare tube, I hesitate for half a second because this thing is too nice to give away.

I'm going with only 4 stars here, because these tubes were INCREDIBLY difficult to keep inside the tire and rim while pushing the second bead over the rim. Their slippery nature had them continually popping out of the tire, and it was impossible to get them to stay inside the rim. I took my time and crossed my fingers, and eventually got it finished. They feel good on the road, and the valve is very high quality and well attached to the tube itself. Maybe it's because this was my first time using TPU tubes, or perhaps it was the small size of the tire (25c). I'm very experienced otherwise with tire changes (40+ years of semi-professional mechanic work). Hopefully I'll continue to see benefits as the miles pile on!