For years, like many, I’ve relied on TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) tubes from brands like Schwalbe and Pirelli. My experience was always positive, a feeling of good performance, albeit somewhat subjective. When I saw that usabikers.net began offering Continental TPU tubes, I was eager to test them. Swapping out the standard butyl tubes on my newer bike, I believe I’ve gained a more concrete understanding of the benefits TPU tubes offer.
My perspective comes from a recent bike upgrade journey. Until last November, my primary bike was a 2021 Specialized Roubaix Expert with alloy wheels. After logging around 20,000 miles, I decided to upgrade to a new bike, acquiring a 2022 Specialized Roubaix Expert, essentially identical to my 2021 model but with a 12-speed drivetrain and, crucially, carbon wheels. Everything else, down to the handlebar tape, was consistent.
Initially, the carbon wheels on the new bike were underwhelming. Compared to the alloy wheels on my 2021 Roubaix, the upgrade felt minimal. The transformative moment arrived when I replaced the factory butyl tubes with Continental TPU tubes. Suddenly, the much-discussed enhancements of carbon wheels became apparent. Several hundred miles later, the ride remains exhilarating. The bike feels faster, more responsive, and genuinely more alive.
This leads me to a key observation. On my 2021 Roubaix, the Continental TPU tubes elevated the performance of the alloy wheels to a level comparable to my 2022 bike with carbon wheels still using the original butyl tubes. If you’re content with your alloy wheels but considering a carbon upgrade, investing in a pair of these Conti Bike Tires TPU tubes offers a significant performance boost at a fraction of the cost. Furthermore, if you’re already riding carbon wheels and haven’t transitioned to tubeless, and are still using butyl tubes, these Continental TPU tubes are an absolute must-try upgrade. They truly unlock the potential of both alloy and carbon wheelsets.
