Pirelli Cinturato SmarTUBE Gravel Tube

I wrote a previous review about how well they worked as cx tubes. My second pair had micro pinholes after just a few rides. The only way to find the problem is to put the tube under water and look for the tiny bubbles. I guess all batches are not the same. Other brands of tpu tubes have also had problems with micro pinholes.

My gravel tube was 160 grams so this is a great value for weight reduction. Since it takes less room you can use a lighter/smaller/more aero saddle bag as well. I run tubeless so this is for emergencies only I have no concern about durability I really like having added this to my kit.

I was an early adopter to tubeless for road and off road, but for me tubeless is getting old. I can see the value in MTB where very low pressures might be needed for some situations, but for road and gravel not so much.

Enter TPU SmartTubes. Easy to set up on wide rims. High quality feel. Lightweight, compact - easy to carry a spare. Pinch flat resistant even at lower pressures. Hold pressure - little to no need for topping off.

I don't have many miles on them yet so will update a thousand miles in. So far I'm happy.

These tubes are expensive - we will just get that out of the way.

I ride a Quintana Roo tri bike and the tool compartment above the back wheel is limited in space, so this was the only tube I could find that would fit in there. During a race I ran over glass and blew out my tire. I put this tube in and inflated it only to see it was bulging out the tire - I didn't do a very good job looking for cuts. I had a choice - take the tire back off (and do what I should have done initially) and put a dollar bill inside to keep the tube from bulging, or roll the dice and go for it. Since the cut was kinda' on the side I figured I'd got for it. This got me back to transition (about 15 miles)! At the end of the day I found the tire to be flat, but that was okay. I bought a couple more of these super tubes

I had a pair of tubeless PDX tires that didn't work well tubeless. I love the tires so I put these SmarTUBES in just to try it. After more than a dozen CX races with no pinch flats, the same tubes are still going strong. They don't weigh much more than sealant.

The tubes do not wear out. They are tough and reliable. I use them for my road bike tires to make sure I can sometimes ride through a rougher terrain. Never had a problem.

This tube feels light and comfortable on my bike. I'm not able to do a more scientific review, but I like it. It's also reassuring to carry a spare that doesn't take much space. If it resists one puncture that would cause a flat with a cheaper tube it's worth the price! Statistically it seems it will, but of course I cannot speak about flats that I didn't get.

I love this tube. I have tires set up tubeless, latex, and one bike with these. They are super light and have not yet punctured so far so good. They hold air better than latex, not as good as standard butyl but close. They are perfect road or gravel tubes and maybe the best use is as a back up spare if you run tubeless.

I purchased these tubes along with a brand new set of Schwalbe Pro One 28mm tires. I have ridden less than 200 miles and have encountered a slow leak from the tube installed on my front tire. I had higher expectations since these are built for gravel. Not worth it - I should have invested in a tubeless setup. I've learned my lesson

Compared to a lightweight butyl tube this is even half the weight. Between a pair of wheels the weight savings by using these tubes could be equivalent to a couple hundred bucks! The weight savings are where they matter, at the periphery of the wheel. Physics alone tells you your rotational acceleration will be faster.

Lite and easy to put small pouch I like it .