Schwalbe is setting new standards in the field of ultra-light bicycle tubes with the latest generation of its Aerothan tubes. The tubes, already known for their low weight and high robustness, have now been given an upgrade in the form of an aluminium shaft with an external thread. This innovation not only promises improved stability, but also optimised handling during assembly and use.
Improved stability & compatibility
The new aluminium stock with external thread replaces the previous plastic stock and is intended to provide significantly greater stability. According to the manufacturer, this design also offers various compatibility advantages. The new Aerothan inner tube is now compatible with the Schwalbe Clik Valve, all common pumps, the Schwalbe Airmax Smart Bike Sensor and the Bosch Speed Sensor. This versatility makes the inner tube a flexible solution for various applications and bike types.
Proven performance features
Despite the innovations to the valve stem, the key performance features of the Aerothan tubes remain the same. The extremely low weight, very low rolling resistance and high robustness speak in favour of TPU. In our last test, the Aerothan inner tube came out on top out of 10 TPU bicycle inner tubes.
Wide range and local production
Schwalbe offers the new Aerothan inner tubes in a wide range. The range comprises a total of 39 different articles, ranging from small to large dimensions. The manufacturer thus covers a wide range of bicycle types and applications. The tubes continue to be produced at Schwalbe's headquarters in Reichshof, North Rhine-Westphalia. This local production enables a high level of quality control and short delivery routes.
Contribution to the circular economy
Sustainability was a particular focus during the development of the new Aerothan inner tubes. Schwalbe is consistently pursuing its path towards a circular economy and is working with partner companies to establish a recycling process for used tyres. The resulting raw materials are fed into the production of the new Aerothan inner tubes. As a result, the proportion of circular materials in Aerothan reaches 91 per cent - with consistently high quality and robustness.
Innovative recycling process
The recycling process for the Aerothan tubes is complex and involves several partners. Schwalbe obtains TPU material (thermoplastic polyurethane) from BASF's ChemCycling® process. The aim of this process is to manufacture high-quality products from chemically recycled plastic waste on an industrial scale. BASF uses pyrolysis oil from Schwalbe's tyre recycling as a raw material. This oil is extracted from used tyres by Pyrum Innovations AG and fed directly into BASF's production process, where it replaces fossil raw materials for TPU production.
Certified sustainability
The sustainability of the process is ensured by a mass balance procedure. The recycled raw materials are allocated to the certified Ccycled® TPU. Certification confirms that the quantities of fossil resources required for the Aerothane hose are replaced by pyrolysis oil. This process ensures that the contribution to the circular economy is traceable and quantifiable.
Availability & outlook
Availability of the new Aerothan tube is planned for autumn 2025. With this innovation, Schwalbe is not only setting new standards in terms of the performance and handling of bicycle tubes, but is also making a significant contribution to sustainability in the bicycle industry. The combination of high-quality recycled material and proven performance makes the Aerothan inner tube a forward-looking solution for environmentally conscious cyclists.
Technical specifications
- Material: Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)
- Valve stem: Aluminium with external thread
- Proportion of circular materials: 91 per cent
- Compatibility: Schwalbe Clik Valve, all common pumps, Schwalbe Airmax Smart Bike Sensor, Bosch Speed Sensor
- Pyrolysis gas: Conversion to electricity in the recycling plant
- Pyrolysis oil: Use in BASF production
- Recovered Carbon Black (rCB): Used in Schwalbe tyres (>70% of all tyres)
- Market launch: autumn 2025
- Product range: 39 different articles
