Thermoplastic polyurethane replaced butyl rubber decades ago in applications where weight and durability matter—phone cases, watch bands, medical tubing. Tubolito applies that same TPU material to inner tubes, and the Tubo Road demonstrates what that shift means for road cyclists. At 38 to 40 grams depending on valve length, you're looking at roughly 70 grams of rotating weight savings per wheel compared to a standard butyl tube. That difference adds up over a long ride, particularly on climbs where every gram you spin up matters.

The TPU construction gives the Tubo Road a different feel than rubber tubes. The material is inherently more resistant to punctures—Tubolito claims twice the puncture resistance of standard butyl—without the air retention issues that plague latex alternatives. You'll pump these up on the same schedule as your current tubes. The Tubo Road fits 700C tires from 18mm to 32mm widths, covering everything from narrow race rubber to moderate gravel tires. It works with both rim and disc brake setups, so you don't need to worry about heat compatibility on carbon clinchers with rim brakes.

Three valve lengths cover different rim depths: 42mm for standard rims, 60mm for mid-depth wheels, and 80mm for deep-section carbon. Each valve adds roughly a gram, which is why you'll see weights listed as 38 to 40 grams. One thing to note: if you flat, standard butyl patch kits won't bond to TPU. You'll need Tubolito's specific Tubo-Patch Kit for repairs. The tube rolls up smaller than butyl, so it packs easily into a saddle bag as a spare, but make sure you have the right repair kit with it.