TPU inner tubes, instead of butyl ones, promise to combine the low rolling resistance of a tubeless setup with the ease of handling of traditional inner tubes. Rightly so, they are enjoying increasing popularity. Time to get an overview: Which manufacturers offer a TPU inner tube?
All brands at a glance (simply click on them):
Aeron
Barbieri
Shelf
Eclipse
Ekoi
Fumpa pumps
M Wave
Milkit
Moquai
on-track
Panaracer
Pirelli
Revoloop
Schwalbe
Silca
surly
Tubolito
Tuff
Vittoria
WTB
Aeron SuperLite / ExtraLite / Ultraprotect
Aeron's TPU inner tubes are manufactured in Austria. In addition to road and XC/Gravel series, Aeron also offers tubes for mountain bikes and even city and touring bikes. The TPU tubes are tailored to different applications in terms of weight reduction, rolling resistance, and puncture protection. Versions with aluminum valve stems are also available – these are identified by the abbreviation "AL".
- field of application. Road, Gravel, MTB, City
- Valve stem Aluminum or polymer
- Weight (SV 65 mm 700C-32, l. manufacturer) 44 g
- aeron-tpu.com
- Price (RRP) from € 19,95
Barbieri NXT
The Italian family business is known for its bright green, affordable TPU inner tubes, which are also produced in Italy. From gravel and road bikes to MTBs and even BMX bikes, Barbieri's NXT range covers it all. Incidentally, not all Barbieri inner tubes are bright green: the blue Roccia NXT are particularly robust, the white Piuma NXT are especially lightweight, and the also white Metallo NXT use an aluminum valve stem. Interesting for those who like to customize their tubes: the inner tube chamber and valve are sometimes available separately.
- field of application. Road, Gravel, MTB, BMX
- Valve stem Aluminum or polymer
- Weight (SV 65 mm 700C-32, l. manufacturer) 46 g
- barbieripnk.it
- Price (RRP) from € 15,19
Shelf ContiTPU
The long-established brand from Hanover also offers TPU inner tubes. The range is pleasingly straightforward with three variants. One valve length (60 mm) and three tire sizes cover mountain bikes (27,5 & 29 inches) as well as road bikes (25 to 35 mm width). Conti now also offers 40, 80, and 100 mm long valves for road bikes.
- field of application. Road, MTB
- Valve stem Polymer
- Weight (SV 70 mm 622-35, l. manufacturer) 35 g
- continental-reifen.de
- Price (RRP) EUR 31,95
Eclipse GT / Performance
The Swiss company claims to have commercially produced the first TPU bicycle inner tube in 2011. The TPU tubes are manufactured in Germany and are available in various sizes, valve types, and quality levels. Even 16- and 20-inch versions are available; perfect for riders who want to squeeze even more lightweight performance and speed out of their Brompton.
- field of application. Road, Gravel, MTB, BMX, City
- Valve stem Polymer
- Weight (SV 70 mm 622-40, l. manufacturer) 53 g
- eclipse.bike.de
- Price (RRP) EUR 19,95
Ekoi Racing Road TPU
The French brand Ekoi is ubiquitous in professional cycling and known, among other things, for its strong direct sales model. Besides helmets, goggles, and clothing, the French company also offers a very lightweight TPU inner tube. Weighing just 40 grams in the road bike version (25 to 32 mm width), the Ekoi Racing Road TPU is one of the lightest inner tubes on the market. It has a very specific application.
- field of application. Road
- Valve stem Alu
- Weight (SV 45 mm 700C-25/32, l. manufacturer) 40 g
- ekoi.com
- Price (RRP) EUR 27,36
Fumpa pumps TPU Tubes
Fumpa's TPU inner tubes come in a cherry red – generally, TPU inner tubes are often brightly colored, though the color is hidden beneath the tire casing. The Australian bicycle pump manufacturer has paid particular attention to ensuring that their TPU inner tubes are compatible with electric air pumps. The aluminum valve stem also contributes to this compatibility.
- field of application. Road, MTB, Gravel
- Valve stem Alu
- Weight (SV 60 mm 622-30, l. manufacturer) 38 g
- eclipse.bike.de
- Price (RRP) EUR 15,95
M Wave PURride
The family-run company from Baunach now operates globally and includes suitable TPU inner tubes in its comprehensive product range. Various models are available, from MTB (27,5 and 29 inch) to gravel and road sizes; a metal valve core is bonded into the TPU valve stems. Comes in classic M-Wave blue.
- field of application. Road, MTB, Gravel
- Valve stem Aluminum/Polymer
- Weight (SV 48 mm 700-30, l. manufacturer) 36 g
- messingschlager.com
- Price (RRP) EUR 16,90
Milkit TPU hose
Milkit is known, for example, for its comprehensive range of tubeless accessories. But fans of TPU inner tubes will also find what they're looking for – road cyclists, mountain bikers, and gravel bikers alike. The Milkit TPU inner tubes come in the familiar Milkit blue.
- field of application. Road, MTB, Gravel
- Valve stem Aluminum/Polymer
- Weight (SV 45 mm 622-45, l. manufacturer) 55 g
- milkit.bike
- Price (RRP) EUR 29,95
Moquai TPU hose
Moquai is a product of Zoulou GmbH from Aachen, a company known for its gravel and cyclocross bikes, among other things. With its Moquai TPU inner tubes, the company offers an exciting alternative to conventional butyl tubes, characterized by their very low weight and extremely compact size. The tube material is resistant to oils and chemicals. In addition to the road version, wider versions are also available for gravel bikes.
- field of application. Road, Gravel
- Valve stem Polymer
- Weight (SV 60 mm 700C-23/32, l. manufacturer) 35 g
- zoulou-bikes.com
- Price (RRP) EUR 14,90
on-track Race / Race Pro
Founded in 2009, the Chinese brand Ontrack specializes in reliable bicycle tires and is increasingly making its mark on the European market with its TPU inner tubes. These bright orange tubes are made from 100% recyclable thermoplastic polyurethane and include a valve. Ontrack offers a proven standard version of its TPU inner tubes as well as an even lighter "ultralight" variant aimed at weight-conscious cyclists.
- field of application. Road, Gravel, Mountain bike
- Valve stem Polymer
- Weight (SV 65 mm 700C-18/32 Race, manufacturer's specification) 35 g
- ontrack-tyres.com
- Price (RRP) EUR 19,99
Panaracer Purple Lite
The traditional Japanese brand Panaracer has been a mainstay in cycling for decades and is world-renowned for its Gravelking tires. To complement this, they offer the Purple Lite, an in-house TPU inner tube that – as the name suggests – shines in a stylish purple. A clever feature is the heat-resistant metal valve stem, which effectively protects the tube from the sometimes intense heat generated by electric compressor pumps.
- field of application. Road, Gravel
- Valve stem Alu
- Weight (SV 65 mm 700C-23/32, l. manufacturer) 36 g
- panaracer.eu
- Price (RRP) EUR 26,99
Pirelli P ZERO SmarTUBE
With the bright yellow P ZERO SmarTUBE, Italian tire giant Pirelli offers a true high-performance inner tube. The custom-designed TPU material was originally developed for World Tour professionals to achieve maximum speed with minimal weight. In addition to the road version (P ZERO), Pirelli also offers the Cinturato SmarTUBE, a more robust version for gravel riding, and the Scorpion SmarTUBE for mountain bikes. SmarTUBE RS, X, and Lite represent further variations.
- field of application. Road, Gravel, MTB
- Valve stem Polymer
- Weight (SV 60 mm 700C-23/32, l. manufacturer) 35 g
- pirelli.com
- Price (RRP) from € 25,90
Revoloop 001-004
Revoloop's all-white TPU inner tubes originate from Aachen, Germany. This German brand is passionately dedicated to lightweight construction and manufactures its tubes exclusively from thermoplastic polyurethane. Their product range is impressive, covering everything from road bikes (including the extremely lightweight "ultra" version, weighing just 25 grams) to gravel bikes ("cc"), mountain bikes, and even fat bikes.
- field of application. Road, Gravel, MTB, Fatbike, BMX
- Valve stem Polymer
- Weight (SV 100 mm 700C-23/35, l. manufacturer) 45 g
- revoloop.com
- Price (RRP) from € 14,95
Schwalbe Aerothan
German tire specialist Schwalbe has achieved a true milestone with its Aerothan inner tube. Developed entirely in Germany in cooperation with BASF, this halo-transparent tube with its characteristic black valve is said to be 100% recyclable. Schwalbe promises not only low rolling resistance but also a particularly linear and smooth ride feel, closely resembling a pure tubeless setup. The product range covers road, all-road, and MTB applications, as well as cargo.
- field of application. Road, Gravel/Allroad, MTB, Cargo
- Valve stem Polymer
- Weight (SV 60 mm 700C-23/32, l. manufacturer) 51 g
- schwalbe.com
- Price (RRP) from € 27,90
Silca Ultimate TPU Tube
The cult brand Silca, originally Italian but now based in the USA, stands for absolute high-end accessories. The Ultimate TPU Tubes are no exception. These colorless tubes, manufactured in Germany, are aimed at performance riders and feature a valve stem made entirely of aluminum. This drastically minimizes annoying punctures caused by broken or leaking valve stems. Available for tire widths of 24-43 mm and 44-64 mm, with 50 or 70 mm long aluminum valve stems.
- field of application. Road, Gravel
- Valve stem Alu
- Weight (Road, l. Manufacturer) 45 g
- silca.cc
- Price (RRP) EUR 45
surly TPU Tube
The iconic American brand Surly, known for its indestructible steel frames, wide tires, and love of the unconventional, now offers a TPU inner tube – for fat bikes! True to the brand's spirit, the TPU tube prioritizes robustness over shaving off every last gram. Despite its required volume, the TPU tube for 24-inch tires up to 6,2 inches wide boasts a compact size when packed, making it the perfect spare tube for bikepacking adventures.
- field of application. fatbike
- Valve stem Polymer
- Size SV 48 mm 24×6,2″
- surlybikes.com
- Price (RRP) 49 USD
Tubolito Tubo / S-Tubo
Tubolito from Austria is considered one of the major and influential pioneers in the TPU inner tube market. A distinctive feature is the bright orange color of both the tube and valve. Their product range is now vast, encompassing everything from road bikes and mountain bikes to cargo bikes and BMX bikes. For those who prefer an even more minimalist approach, there's the special "S-Tubo" series, which further reduces pack size and weight and, with its removable valve, is perfect as a tiny emergency tube. A version with an integrated tire pressure sensor and app connectivity is even available (Tubo-Road SYNCD, from €39,95).
- field of application. Road, Gravel, MTB, City, Cargo, BMX
- Valve stem Polymer
- Weight (SV 60 mm 700C-23/35 Tubo-Road, l. manufacturer) 39 g
- tubolito.com
- Price (RRP) 24,95 euros (Tubo-Road)
Tuff TPU Tube
Tufo, a Czech company, is best known in the cycling world for its tubular and gravel tires. Now, with their TPU inner tubes, they are also catering to riders of classic folding and clincher tires. Tufo is focusing primarily on the core road and gravel segments, with the inner tubes available in a discreet white and designed to offer low rolling resistance.
- field of application. Road, Gravel
- Valve stem Polymer
- Weight (SV 60 mm 700C-25/32, l. manufacturer) 50 g
- tufo.com
- Price (RRP) EUR 19,90
Vittoria Ultra Light Speed TPU
The prestigious Italian tire brand Vittoria delivers the Ultra Light Speed, a true racing inner tube made of TPU for the highest demands. With a wall thickness of just 0,3 mm, it is extremely thin and features a matching red TPU valve stem with a replaceable core. Vittoria is targeting this high-end tube specifically at road cyclists, and due to heat generation, it is explicitly approved for road use only with disc brakes. The BMX version, however, can also be used with rim brakes.
- field of application. Road, BMX
- Valve stem Polymer
- Weight (SV 60 mm 700C-25/30, l. manufacturer) 30 g
- vittoria.com
- Price (RRP) from € 28,95
WTB NanoAir TPU
The American brand Wilderness Trail Bikes (WTB), world-renowned for its robust MTB and gravel products, completes its portfolio with the NanoAir TPU. In keeping with its philosophy and many skinwall gravel tires, the inner tube comes in a light brown shade ("Tan"). Durable yet very compact versions are offered for mountain bikes (27,5 and 29 inches) as well as for road bikes and the ever-popular gravel sector.
- field of application. Road, Gravel, MTB
- Valve stem Polymer
- Weight (SV 65 mm 700C-18/32, l. manufacturer) 35 g
- wtb.eu
- Price (RRP) from € 22,95