Lightweight TPU inner tubes?

I may try these, at least for my bike bag.  I have seen ads for TPU tubes from mainstream brands (like these from Vittoria), but at some $35, and a warning against rim brakes, I have shied away from them.  The Ridenow brand seems to bring them into a more affordable price range ($14 or so); hopefully the are of decent quality.

I found the following reviews of the Ridenow tubes.; they seemed mixed.  Perhaps some customers did not heed the inflation warning for a bare tube, perhaps quality control problems..

"Top reviews from the United States
4.0 out of 5 stars Tube is fine, valve is faulty, replacement has been flawless
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on July 11, 2023
Size: 700x18-32c SV65mmVerified Purchase
no issues with packaging or quality of the tube. however, the valve did not seal. the presto, finger tight, leaked air down to 20 psi. I had to pump it up to 90+ psi, then quickly tighten with pliers to keep it from hissing. It had dropped ~70 psi by then. I did ride 20+ miles on it. It then lost all air over night. I ordered a replacement that arrived two day later. It was apparent the previous tube had been a returned as the replacement packaging was cleaner, the band was branded, and the valve hole tape was included. No issue with the replacement. For the pack size a weight, I'll switch completely to TPU tubes and replace instead of repair on the road.
5.0 out of 5 stars Some of the lightest tubes period w/ great rolling resistance in a extremely small package

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on June 19, 2023
Size: 700x18-32c SV65mmVerified Purchase
These are my go to tubes. Extremely small, maybe 1/4 of the size of a traditional butyl and maybe half the size of a latex which means these easily fit into a back jersey pocket or even the smallest saddle bags. At 45mm, 65mm, and 85mm you probably will never need extender valves. These come in at a true 36g and this is probably 3.5X less weight than a butyl or half the weight of a latex tube, yet is more puncture resistant than both butyl and latex. But there is more, TPU tubes have about the same rolling resistance as latex tubes, thus TPU tubes are the smallest, lightest, and fastest tubes out there. If this wasn't impressive enough RideNow makes even lighter Super Light version at 26g. The only con IMO is that these things cost $15-$20 but even then a Tubolito costs $25-$38 per tube. I have put these tubes on all my bikes and knock on wood I have only had two tubes go bad. One tube the valve core was loose and could not be fixed and the other was a tube that had glass puncture it but was later patched.

1.0 out of 5 stars LIGHTWEIGHT - FRAGILE - POOR QUALITY CONTROL - BUT BRIGHTLY COLORED!
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on June 23, 2023
Size: 700x18-32c SV45mmVerified Purchase
When they work they're great! Unfortunately after buying THREE tubes and only getting ONE that worked I was incredibly disappointed.

Bottom Line Up Front: I would not trust these for any long rides or even as a backup tube.

The positives:
- Low rolling resistance
- Great easy to see "line" indicator to know the tube is centered.
- Really easy to install with great directions and a dashed line to make the installation simple.
- Bright pink color makes install super easy and avoids pinching
- Very clear directions
- Ultra compact size

The Bad
- One of three tubes had a leak out of the package
- Second of three tubes had a flat within 1 hour of being installed in a BRAND NEW TIRE.
- Plastic stems on the tubes make CO2 use impossible and leaks out the side. Also many bike pumps will leak air when trying to inflate due to the smaller size.
- Plastic stem prevents the use of a washer to secure the valve to the wheel, and an entry point for water on the wheel
- TPU material is thin and prone to flats due to puncture. I had a flat on my first ride in the fist 2 hours on a brand new tire. I had ZERO flats with the same brand tire a diffferent tube over months.
- Patch kit does not always adhere properly even with prep (alcohol). I ended up using a separate patch kit that worked perfectly so now I pack my own kit.

5.0 out of 5 stars Durable
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on July 7, 2023
Size: 700x18-32c SV65mmVerified Purchase
I will use them in the senior Olympics

1.0 out of 5 stars Unreliable Tubes
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on June 23, 2023
Size: 700x18-32c SV65mmVerified Purchase
I did only one group ride on these tubes and the tube exploded before the second ride even started, when I wasn't even riding the bike. These tubes are not safe and are not reliable."

RideNow says their tube are compatible with rim brakes, so I bought four ($48) to carry as spares. In addition to the weight and size, I like the idea that one size fits all (700/18-32); I currently have to sort my kit by tube size.

Jim

I find the small size and light weight to be attractive for use as a spare; generally, butyl tubes are fine for me. Certain brands do not recommend using their TPU tubes with rim brakes as the material may not stand up to the heat generated on long descents. This caught my eye as I live in the mountains. These days my rides are more leisurely than in the past; On long steep descents, I used to get brake fade from overheated brake pads. These days (other than steep descents on my ebike) I only experience warm (not hot) rims.

Cheers
Jim

Did you ever try these Jim? I have a couple of RideNow on order from AliExpress ,£11 including delivery.

Mine arrived a few days ago (pretty quick for Aliexpress).

First reaction was 'these are a bit weird, will they actually 'work'?. Very lightweight. They also come with a couple of patches

Here's the link if anyone is interested
www.aliexpress.us/item/1005005044251602.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.4.4ed61802sAGAfF&gatewayAdapt=4itemAdapt

There’s some good info on TPU tubes at renehersecycles.com I haven’t gone this route yet, but it sounds like there are some real advantages.
Best,
John “wheelson”

I am almost certain they would be fine.

I ordered a 4-pack of of TPU tubes, 2 for a lightweight Viscount Aerospace single-speed I am building, and two for spares. The wheels for the build have Presta valve holes so no problem there.

Brian

Online reviews are mixed. Of course, you'll always find examples of people who've had a bad experience, if you look for them, but TPU tubes seem to be variable in quality - or at least in people's experience of them.

On Cycle Chat from January 24:
"I’ve recently purchased several Ridenow TPU tubes. The ride is fine but they leak down 7 to 10 psi per day. Both front and rear tubes. After several water tests I found that they were both leaking past the presta valve along the inside of the plastic stem. To be clear, the valve is not leaking. The air is passing between the valve and the plastic stem.
I treated my third tube by applying a small bead of super glue where the body of the valve and the opening of the stem. No problem with the third tube. "

and

"I've similarly had an issue with Wiggle/ChainReaction's Lifeline tubes. When they get wet in heavy rain the glue on the valve detaches with an instantaneous deflation."

on the other hand (from the author of the first comment):
"I’ve tried another brand, Heasygo, and so far so good. Made of tougher material and no leaks in several days."

You pays your money and you takes your choice....

(leaky valve cores seem to be increasing in prevalence, in my experience:I've had several Butyl tubes with this problem in the last couple of years. I don't remember it ever being much of a problem previously)

Got up this morning and they are maybe 7-10 PSI per tube, as stated in Draco's post

Had them both in water today and discovered a small air leak in the seam of one, but nothing in the other. It doesn't look like a puncture from an object, it is so small, that I cannot see it except when pressure is applied in water, so it might just be inherent fault in material?

The patch they supply (only 1x per tube) is adhering well and doesnt show a leak in that spot now.

Reading up on these a bit more and the issues mentioned include leaking presta valve top. If you do not screw it tightly shut, then it just leaks out of it's own accord.

I'm disappointed , as these were so convenient that it seems like game changer in terms of size and weight in the bag. But I don't have total confidence in them now. I might mail 'RideNow' and see what they say.

Both are fully inflated again , and I will report back

No problem - I now wish I had waited to give balanced conclusion on these. I suppose mine could be a bad batch , or they could just be inherently liable to problems.

One word review...'disappointed'