TPU Tubes with 70 mm Threaded Valves
We’ve expanded our TPU tube program with 70 mm threaded valves. Which means we’ve now got 23 different TPU tubes in our program. To us, it makes sense to offer that many different TPU tubes. After all, we’re offering more than 100 different Rene Herse tires, so why would we limit our tube offerings to just a handful?
After all, not just racers want to enjoy the benefits of our TPU tubes: more speed, less weight, better puncture resistance, better ride feel, and smaller packing volume—plus all-metal valves that eliminate the mysterious leaks you sometimes get with plastic valve stems. That’s why we support four wheels sizes (700C / 29″, 650B, 26″, 16″), and we offer our TPU tubes in three widths. (That includes our ultralight tubes for racing tires up to 32 mm.)
In addition to the new 70 mm threaded valves, we offer four other valve types. The polished valves look great on bikes with silver or polished rims. The 70 mm valves are for deep aero rims. That leaves the question: When to choose smooth and when threaded valves?
Smooth valves were found on tubular tires, and racers appreciated them, because it was easy to get push-on pump heads onto the valve, and then off again after inflating the tire. With threaded valves, the rubber gasket of the pump head can lock onto the valve, making it difficult to remove without skinned knuckles. If you’ve ever battled with a classic Silca pump head stuck on a threaded valve stem, you’re probably a big fan of smooth valves.
Smooth valves require a little more attention when pushing the pump head onto the tube: You need to hold the valve so it doesn’t push into the tube, which can damage a lightweight TPU tube. Pro Tip: Tilting the valve a bit sideways creates additional friction that prevents the valve from getting pushed into the tube.
Threaded valves have a locknut that keeps them in place even when there’s no air pressure pushing the valve outward. That’s why tubeless valves are threaded. And since many riders come from tubeless tires, they are used to threaded valves. The locknut also eliminates the risk of pushing the valve into the tube.
If you use a pump with a threaded hose, there’s no advantage to the smooth valve beyond aesthetics. (The pump hose threads onto the valve core, not the stem, so it works with threaded or smooth valve stems.)
Which valve type you prefer is a personal choice. That’s why we offer both threaded and smooth valves, in 50 and 70 mm lengths.
For now, the 70 mm threaded valves come in 700C in two models: for 20-32 mm-wide racing tires, and for 30-48 mm-wide road, all-road and gravel tires. If there’s demand for other sizes, write to us via our Suggestions Form, and we’ll consider expanding the program further. In other good news, all models of our TPU tubes are in stock. Ditto for sealant and patch kits.
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