Continental700c TPU Road/Gravel Tube(Return to Product Page)

I almost wrote this review after my first ride, but didn't want to be one of "those" riders.

I've been riding TPU tubes from Schwalbe and Pirelli for years. I've always felt they perform well, but frankly that was a subjective opinion. I was excited to see that BTD started offering this Continental TPU tube, and swapped out the OEM butyl tubes on a newish bike. With that change, I think I have at least a more qualified opinion regarding TPU tubes.

Here's why:

Up until late November, my Bike #1 was a 2021 Specialized Roubaix Expert with alloy wheels. The Roubaix is a perfect fit for me, but with about 20,000 miles on it I decided to buy a new bike. I got a killer deal on a new, never-assembled 2022 Specialized Roubaix Expert. The 2022 is identical to my 2021 but with a 12-speed drivetrain and more significantly, carbon wheels. Everything else is the same right down to the handlebar tape.

I loved my new bike, but frankly I was disappointed that the carbon wheels seemed to make so little difference relative to the alloy wheels on my 2021. They didn't seem like much of an upgrade at all until . . . I replaced the OEM butyl tubes with the Continental TPU tubes. With that change, all the stuff you read and hear about carbon wheels changing the character of a bike came true for me. A few hundred miles later and I'm still loving the ride. The bike feels faster and more lively.

Here's my takeaway. The TPU's on my 2021 upgraded the performance of its alloy wheels to roughly the performance of my 2022 with carbon wheels using OEM butyl tubes. If your alloy wheels are in good shape but you're thinking about carbon wheels, IMHO a couple of these tubes are a great way to upgrade at a fraction of the cost. And if you're hesitant to go tubeless and still using butyl tubes with carbon wheels, you absolutely need these.

Bought four of the Continental TPU tubes. Two of the tubes would not work with my Leyzne screw head pump.

The Continental Conti TPU 700c Road/Gravel Tube is light and compact. It takes up very little space in my seat bag. I have not had a flat with 300 miles in so far. Easy to install.

The tubes are lighter but they do not appear to be more puncture resistant than regular tubes. One had a flaw at the seam, the flatted within weaks of installation. Additionally, they require Additionally patch kits to repair a flat.