Just received a Tubolito MTB Plus 27.5"/29" 2.5"-3.0" for my Flansberrium with a 50mm Surly Rabbit Hole 29"rim and Duro Crux 29x3.25" tire. This tube weighs exactly the claimed 101g on my scale.
When I first installed and inflated it, the valve stem was pointing away from the rim to one side at a pretty sharp angle. I’ve not ever experienced that before. But I just removed bead from one side and got my hands in there and rolled the tube a little to the other side. Now the stem sits perfectly vertical.
I’ve only done a short test ride so far with hops and riding off curbs. The lighter weight is immediately noticeable (previous butyl tube was 425g). Yes, the tire is a little wider than the max width for the tube but so far no issues. Will report back after more significant muni riding.
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I think these TPU tubes are more stretchy than you think. I’m currently testing a 24" Fatty unicycle with 24x 4.0 tires, but I don’t have a 24" Fatty tube. Well, I carefully took a 24x 3.0 TPU tube and gently inflated it with safety glasses and ear plugs. I expected a loud bang at any time. Nothing like that happened. The hose has now been installed for almost 2 weeks. It may lose air a little faster than a normal hose, like 0.1 bar in 2 days, but it doesn’t cause any problems
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Ended up using E6000 adhesive on it. Glued the patch in place and let it sit for 2 days. Installed it the other day then went riding. Did some jumps and so far the patch still holds.
I am undecided on the tube. While I do like the light weight, I dislike the inability to patch it like a butyl tube on a trail. I simply carry a spare in my pack and will swap it out if/when needed. At that point if I can tell any rotational difference I’ll pass my final judgement on TPU tires.
You can get tpu specific patches. They are self adhesive and don’t take long to set, similar to patching a traditional butyl tube from videos I’ve seen. I haven’t had to use them yet but I do carry them when I have a tpu tube.
I haven’t tried a tpu tube in my unicycle but I have used them in mountain bikes without problems. I have a 29er hard tail and a 27.5 full suspension. I also use the Tannus insert, which is designed to be used with a tube. As a heavy rider I was suffering lots of pinch flats, and the Tannus insert really helped with that. The tpu tube offsets the weight of the insert so I guess it probably weighs around the same as a normal tube again, but with much better puncture resistance and better support in the side walls.
When I start riding my 29er uni again I intend using the same set up - tpu tube and Tannus insert. For now I’m mostly using my 24 with a butyl tube though.
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I’ve used the Park GP-2 glueless patches on my Foss tube. They’re intended for normal butyl inner tubes, but they worked OK. Might be worth trying on the TPU tubes.
It’s been a month now and the hose is still holding up. However, I only drove this 24x 4.0 wheel moderately for about 2 weeks and then installed the 26" again. Air pressure after 1 month: Still 0.9 bar. I started with around 1.3 bar. So the pressure loss is limited. I have I’ve read everywhere that TPU tubes aren’t that stretchy, but this example tells a different story. I just didn’t test it under extreme conditions. It’s quite possible that the tube wouldn’t hold up when riding downhill.
But it’s still amazing how stretchy TPU can apparently be, because a Schwalbe 26x 3.0 downhill tube (butyl) only survived for 2 weeks on my 4" Fatty
Talking about TPU tubes, I just did my first patch on one.
(In the previous episodes)
While ordering protective gears, I took the opportunity to order a Revoloop fat tube to see how it goes with a 26x4.8 setup.
(End of previous episodes summary)
Weirdly, I only rode the muni around the block after installing the tube and it hanged in the garage. After 2 times finding it flat, I noticed a hissing noise while pumping. I finally got around to patch it (as there was 3 patches bundled with the tube and alcohol wipes). I found a weird hole and what looked like abrasion marks 
.
Wiped the tube, put the patch and mounted back the tire and tube. I will try to put the frame back and reinflate (or just reinflate the wheelset alone) and see if it holds the pressure.
Before reassembling, I turned the tire inside-out to check for anything with the hand and did a second round with a rag for anything loose. But there was only dried sealant and some sand. Let’s see how it bounces back 
As far as I know, it is not recommended to use TPU tube in tires that have received sealant. It may compromised the tube. This could be the issue there…
I’ve actually read that too. I don’t know if it’s in the Revoloop or Schwalbe instructions or somewhere else.
Thanks for the warning. However, I would expect a chemical reaction that would degrade or weaken the TPU. What I had to patch looked liked a cat scratch (so suspecting a cheeky group of sand grains).
I will try to swap the tire with a clean one
I am also curious about the patch resistance (after a good 24h to sit without any inflation stress).
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I asked the TPU manufacturer I work with if he would also produce 36" TPU tubes with AV valves. I received positive feedback. Before I order them, I would like to make sure there is interest. The final price will be CHF 29.90 per piece, valve: AV 30mm (metal valve).
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Not a bad price compared to what’s available elsewhere! Question being: how much import/export taxes from Switzerland to Europe?
I think it depends on the price and with cheap items it could work that there is customs and VAT free. I can’t tell you exactly. You have to ask the post office in your country. I can only give you the example of Switzerland, where the duty-free limit by post is around CHF 62 (by land it is 150). This means that if the shipment (including postage costs) is less than 62.00, I don’t pay anything. Otherwise you will pay VAT, then maybe some customs duty and usually a fantasy fee. I would ask the post office in your country whether there is a duty-free border for imports from Switzerland. I have just ordered 20" and 24" tubes and I think I could place another order within 1 - 2 weeks. It doesn’t make sense to me to have the 36" tubes manufactured individually later, as they would then be much more expensive because of the freight costs.
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Unfortunately, I had to hurry with the decision because the deadline for changes had already been reached. I had to decide quickly. I have now also ordered the 36". Unusually, I did not request any samples, but I am confident that the tubes are good because I have had positive experiences with the other sizes.
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Same here. Lucky me had a flat on my first muni ride ever 
. I repaired the puncture (presumably made by a thorn) with a Park Tool GP-2 patch. Cleaned the area with isopropylic alcohol, roughened it up, cleaned it again with alcohol and after letting it dry I applied the patch. Then I put some weight on it and left it like that overnight. I‘m not saying that all of these steps are required - it‘s just how I did it.
That was about a month ago. So far so good. I’m riding it most of the time at around 15PSI in a 26x4 tire - yeah, more road than muni. I really need a 29er road uni… …and it‘s only a matter of time, I‘m considering different options at the moment 
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@www.einradshop.ch I think it‘s great that you decided to go for it! Hope the demand will be there.
Should I ever get myself a 36er (almost did recently, but I was a bit too late: the owner decided to keep it after all), I will certainly upgrade to a TPU tube of yours.
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Thanks, I hope so too.
There will only be a small increase in inventory. 600 TPU tubes in 6 sizes are already here
]
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600! Fortunately they don‘t take up as much space as butyl tubes 
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Yes, I had these tubes specially made because I couldn’t find a supplier for 3" tubes with a metal AV valve. These are not stock items. The minimum quantity for production was 100 pieces per size.
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Good news for 2 happy 36 inch unicyclists.
The TPU tube manufacturer made 2 samples and I would like to test them first.
If you would like to test a 36" TPU tube (note, it has a car valve, so the rim must have an 8.5mm bore). Can you send me a PM and leave your complete address with email and telephone number (including international area code).
I prefer 1. drivers from Switzerland, and 2. from Europe, especially Switzerland’s neighboring countries.
2 addresses will then be selected by me and those who receive the tube will be notified by me.
In return I expect to receive feedback. You must drive with the tpu tube.
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