With its new TPU tubes, Swiss tubeless specialist Milkit presents a supplement for tubeless riders who do not want to compromise on lightness and performance even in emergency situations. According to the manufacturer, the tubes made of thermoplastic polyurethane offer twice as much puncture protection as conventional butyl versions and at the same time impress with their low weight and low rolling resistance. Milkit offers the TPU tubes in two versions: One model for mountain bikes and one for road and gravel bikes. The MTB inner tube covers tyre widths from 50 to 64 millimetres (2.0 to 2.5 inches) and is available for both 27.5 and 29-inch wheels. With a weight of 76 grams, it is said to be significantly lighter than comparable butyl inner tubes. The version for road and gravel bikes is designed for tyre widths from 28 to 45 millimetres and weighs just 55 grams.
Outstanding puncture protection with low weight and low rolling resistance - the promises of TPU inner tubes sound like music to bikers' ears. In an extensive test, we found out whether the plastic hoses have what it takes to be a super hit.
Milkit TPU inner tubes: puncture protection and rolling resistance
A key advantage of Milkit TPU hoses is their high resistance to punctures. According to the manufacturer, sharp objects can penetrate 19 millimetres deep into the Milkit TPU hose before puncturing it. With conventional butyl hoses, this value is 16 millimetres. The TPU tubes are also said to withstand a significantly higher force before they are punctured by a sharp object. Milkit specifies a value of 32 newtons here, while butyl hoses would fail at 15 newtons. These properties are intended to provide effective protection against typical puncture causes such as glass splinters, thorns or sharp-edged stones. In addition to the improved puncture protection, Milkit also promises reduced rolling resistance compared to conventional inner tubes
Field of application
The TPU tubes from Milkit are primarily designed as an emergency solution for tubeless riders. They are intended to be a reliable option if the sealing milk is no longer sufficient to seal the damage in the event of a puncture. Thanks to their low weight and compact pack size, they can be easily carried in a saddlebag or jersey pocket without adding any significant weight or volume. However, Milkit emphasises that the TPU tubes are also suitable for long-term use due to their properties. For riders who are often travelling in regions with an increased risk of punctures or who generally want additional safety, TPU tubes could therefore be an interesting alternative to pure tubeless setups.
Caution when using with tubeless milk
Tubeless milk often contains latex, ammonia and other chemical additives that can attack plastics such as TPU. Short-term contact is usually unproblematic, but prolonged contact can lead to chemical reactions, embrittlement or swelling. Manufacturers such as Schwalbe or Tubolito point out that their TPU tubes cannot be ridden with sealing milk.
Aaron Zehner, Sales & Marketing Representative at Milkit, has provided us with the following information:
Our TPU hoses are not is designed for use with conventional sealant, as the bonded valve core can be affected by many commercially available sealants. However, residues of sealant in the tyre itself do not pose a problem for the material of the tube. If sealing milk is to be used, we recommend using only our own water-based sealing milk - this is fully compatible with the inner tube material and is safe to use.
Like their rubber counterparts, plastic bicycle inner tubes can also be patched with special patches. However, there are a few points to bear in mind when repairing a TPU hose. We show you how.
Sustainability and production at Milkit
Another aspect that Milkit took into account when developing the TPU hoses is sustainability. The hoses are produced in Europe, which means shorter transport routes and therefore a better CO2 balance compared to products from the Far East. The TPU hoses are also recyclable, which is an advantage over conventional butyl hoses in terms of the circular economy. These properties are likely to be of particular interest to environmentally conscious cyclists who want to take ecological aspects into account when choosing their equipment. Production in Europe could also speak in favour of high quality control and consistent production standards.
Pricing and availability
Milkit positions the TPU hoses in the upper price segment. With a recommended retail price of 29.95 euros per inner tube, they are significantly more expensive than conventional butyl tubes. The manufacturer justifies this surcharge with the improved properties in terms of puncture protection, weight and rolling resistance as well as the sustainable production in Europe.
Milkit TPU hoses - info & price
MTB TPU tube
- Size: 27.5 x 2.0 - 2.5 inch / 29 x 2.0 - 2.5 inch
- Weight: 76 g
- RRP: 29,95 Euro
Road & Gravel TPU tube
- Size: 700 x 28c - 45c
- Weight: 55 g
- RRP: 29,95 Euro
Milkit TPU hoses - General properties
- Material: Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)
- Puncture resistance: 2x better than standard butyl
- Puncture displacement: 19 mm (vs. 16 mm for butyl)
- Penetration force: 32 N (vs. 15 N for butyl)
- Sustainability: Recyclable, made in Europe
Stefan Frey
Editor
