Cycling Equipment 9 Sep.2022 10:09 Sergio P.Although tubeless tires are in full expansion, there is still a majority who prefer the simplicity of the tube system, which still has a lot to offer thanks to its latest generation models that achieve minimum weights and fantastic rolling resistance.Although for those who practice sports cycling, in any of its modalities, tubes may seem like something of the past in favor of the increasingly common tubeless or tubeless tire system, reality tells us that there is still a large majority of those who maintain the traditional option of tube tires on their bikes.Good performance in most situations and, above all, the absence of maintenance and the simplicity when it comes to repairing punctures continue to be the arguments that make the cameras continue to be used in worlds such as road cycling or urban commuting. being fully present.Even the user of tubeless tires cannot do without their use since they continue to be the life insurance to repair efficiently when a puncture is suffered on the road, so it is something that cannot be missing in the repair kit of any cyclist.Traditionally, the tubes have been made using butyl rubber, except for the exclusive high-performance models that chose latex in order to improve rolling quality.In recent times, a new actor has joined the offer, the cameras made with thermoplastic polyurethane or TPU that have managed to suddenly evolve a technology that remained practically stagnant since the dawn of cycling.These are the conventional rubber tubes that we have all used, and in many cases still do.It is a cheap product that does its job really well, achieving great air retention which means that in many cases we do not have to worry about tire pressure for weeks.Besides, butyl is a rubber with considerable absorption capacity, which results in greater walking comfort.We must also add the great ease of repair using conventional patches, even in the middle of the route, or substitution.In addition to the conventional models, we can find ultralight versions that manage to reduce weight by using a thinner rubber that, on the other hand, means losing much of its absorption capacity as it is a less elastic material.It is not uncommon to find anti-puncture versions that include a sealing liquid inside that is capable of repairing small punctures.In the debit of this type of tubes we find its weight, which, being located on the outside of the wheel, is the main responsible for the rolling resistance that they provide to the tires under which they are used.Latex is a highly elastic natural rubber that is used for endless applications, including high-performance bicycle inner tubes.These types of tubes have traditionally been used inside competition tubulars precisely because of their high elasticity and lower weight than a conventional tube.Also, those who were looking for a better rolling of their tires use them despite the fragility when mounting them and that their repair in case of a puncture is more delicate.The great elasticity of the latex makes it fully adapt to the inside of the tire, reducing friction favoring the adaptation of the tire to the road, so the quality of rolling improves substantially despite the fact that the weight saving is not excessively noticeable either. compared to conventional cameras.They also have a higher resistance to punctures due to this elasticity that makes it more difficult for the spikes to go through them.The main problem with using latex in the tubes is their great posority, which makes them lose air progressively, something that is not a problem along a route, but that forces us to check the pressure of our tires on a daily basis. .The true evolution of the bladder and cover system has come from the hands of thermoplastic polyurethane, a synthetic material that allows the manufacture of bladders with an enormous capacity for retaining air, tremendously low weight and volume, and great elasticity.The union of these qualities means that the improvement in the rolling resistance of the tires under which we mount them is enormous, very close to what we obtain when we use the tubeless system.Like latex tubes, its elasticity is responsible for its characteristics, including greater resistance to punctures, although when these occur, the repair requires the use of specific patches.Although the cost of TPU tubes is higher than those of latex or butyl, the significant gain they provide in terms of rolling resistance and lightness well compensate for the extra expense, especially considering the longer duration of this type of cameras.Finally, we cannot forget another aspect, the reduced space they occupy when they do not have air, which, together with their lightness, make them the perfect option to fill a gap in our repair kit, even for those who prefer to use the tubeless system. .Subscribe to our newsletterSubscribe to our newsletter and receive all our news.Mountain bike, advice on training and 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