More about bike tires - Not everyone –
least of all me – knew that there are two alternatives to butyl tubes - the
older tech latex tubes, and the newer tech TPU tubes. Turns out that the
latex tubes are the leaky ones, while TPU tubes are considered equal to butyl
tubes, if not better. The difference in (packed) size and weight is
nothing short of stunning, especially in the large tire sizes.
The funny part is that I actually bought a
couple of those extremely compact TPU tubes a few years ago, but that was
intended only for emergency use. Those were the Tubolito brand of
TPU tubes, and they were several times more expensive than butyl tubes -
fortunately, I never had to use them. TPU tubes have for a long time been
so expensive that few people could afford to buy them for regular use, rather
than just as an emergency spare.
Those that have bought them for regular use tended to buy the cheap brands that were perhaps less reliable than the high-end brands. That may have contributed a bit to less than glowing reviews, and negative perceptions by potential users. In recent years. the prices have been going down slightly, so they are gaining popularity. The high-end brands will still cost you top dollar, in most cases.
I happen to have found an Italian webstore that had Pirelli Cinturato SmarTube 700x33/45C TPU tubes for €15.50 each, so I bought 6 (shipping to Tenerife €8). In Quebec, Primeau has them for C$45.90 each, but free shipping in Montreal. €15.50 is roughly C$24, so the difference for 6 is C$131.
C$24 is still high compared to butyl tubes, but there is just no comparison in portability. Combined with the small floor pump, it makes for much easier packing of luggage for those overseas trips.
And, having found that Italian store with
reasonable prices, I also bought four tires for my gravel bike, after reading
many reviews and test reports of what is available on the market. I
opted for the Tufo Swampero 700x40C, at €32.70 ea. (more expensive in Canada
& US).
Jan 23rd - Western Europe is
getting hammered by a series of large north Atlantic storms. The Canary Islands looks about the best place
to be right now, but weather is not great here this week either.
Photos belong to Jaro Franta
