Schwalbe introduce Aerothan lightweight plastic innertubes

[Danneaux]

Hi All!

For those interested in some of the advantages of tubeless (lightweight) without the worries of high-pressure seating and goo loss, Schwalbe in October introduced their new Aerothan plastic tubes.

I first learned of them from friends at BikeTiresDirect.com up in Portland 186km north of me via some special Strava posts they made:
https://www.strava.com/clubs/585000/posts/12573822&ecn=12effdecb7ad17091f2788807954c1be&ln=16411647&ctpc=4kr3m34hx?utm_source=BTD+2.0&utm_campaign=cd99020d5d-BTD_111720_PUB_GIFTMTN_GIFTR_FW20PI_FW20SHIM_DSC3&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_bcabc9a71b-cd99020d5d-72216245

Additional links here:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CHqbwRdlR9g/?utm_source=BTD+2.0&utm_campaign=cd99020d5d-BTD_111720_PUB_GIFTMTN_GIFTR_FW20PI_FW20SHIM_DSC3&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_bcabc9a71b-cd99020d5d-72216245
https://bikepacking.com/news/schwalbe-aerothan-tubes/
https://www.strava.com/clubs/585000/posts/12573822
https://road.cc/content/review/schwalbe-aerothan-inner-tube-277797
https://www.schwalbetires.com/aerothan/
https://www.biketiresdirect.com/product/schwalbe-aerothan-700c-tube

Of course USD$30/tube is stratospheric, but...! The reviews are generally good.

I used some plastic tubes back in the 1980s that left me feeling a little "meh". They were nothing to write home about and at that time, did not have any real advantage over rubber 'cos they were pretty thick and worse, non-pliable and ultimately not very flexible near their limits. It took real care to match tube size to tire size else they would "lock out" on bumps -- bulge to a certain point, then no more and this translated into an extreme rising-rate for suspension.

These seem ideal for folks looking to cut as much rotating weight as possible, as they appear to be even lighter than latex tubes. These require no special valves or tires or rim preparation and simply replace standard tubes...at a premium price.

Anyone tried them yet? Thoughts?

Best,

Dan.

[JohnR]

Interesting, but it appears that Schwalbes's puncture resistance tests did not include using a sharp object. Thorns from hedge trimming are one of the main puncture hazards in my part of the world.

[Danneaux]

Thorns from hedge trimming are one of the main puncture hazards in my part of the world.

<nods> ...and goathead thorns for me in America's Great Basin deserts. 

Best,

Dan.

[PH]

I'm quite curious to try tubeless, though not until I'm needing to change wheels or rims anyway, so maybe never.  My main interest would be the ability to run lower pressures without the risk of pinch flats, but as these tubes do nothing in that regard they're on no interest. 
The only other advantage seems to be the weight saving, I'm currently running on Schwalbe SV18 XLight*, the size I'm using in 700c covers 28-44, though also seems OK in the 50mm Almotions that measure 47 on my rims. That has the advantage for me of having the same tube for all three 700c bikes.  They weigh 105g, according to Schwalbe, that's compared to the 61g Aerothan or a 50g race version that would fit one bike.  Would you notice 40 - 50g difference?  Remind me when the Covid restrictions are lifted and I might set up a blind test by adding weight to the rim tape. I doubt I'd notice, maybe others will.  I did run latex tubes in an Audax bike for a while, I didn't notice the weight difference or the supposed improvement in rolling resistance.  I'm not saying there is none, just that it wasn't of a magnitude that I'd notice, and keeping them at an acceptable pressure was a real pain.

* Currently on offer for a fiver
https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/inner-tubes/schwalbe-sv18-xlight-presta-tube-28-tyres-28622-to-44622/

[JohnR]

I did run latex tubes in an Audax bike for a while, I didn't notice the weight difference or the supposed improvement in rolling resistance.  I'm not saying there is none, just that it wasn't of a magnitude that I'd notice, and keeping them at an acceptable pressure was a real pain.

In my experience the biggest factor in how well a bike seems to roll is the weather.

[martinf]

Would you notice 40 - 50g difference?  Remind me when the Covid restrictions are lifted and I might set up a blind test by adding weight to the rim tape. I doubt I'd notice, maybe others will.  I did run latex tubes in an Audax bike for a while, I didn't notice the weight difference or the supposed improvement in rolling resistance.  I'm not saying there is none, just that it wasn't of a magnitude that I'd notice, and keeping them at an acceptable pressure was a real pain.

I use latex tubes on 3 bikes (700C x 28, 26" x 1.6" and 26" x 1.95"). Compared to standard butyl:

Puncture protection - don't believe there is much difference, although increased puncture resistance with latex is claimed by some manufacturers.
Weight difference    - don't notice. Never bothered to check the weights.
Rolling resistance     - not really noticeable for me in 700C, but I think I notice an improvement in 26" x 1.95".
                                  Can't say for 26" x 1.6" because I haven't tried butyl tubes on that size of tyre.
Comfort                    - better in 700C and 26" x 1.95" sizes (at same pressure), so I believe that would be the same in 26" x 1.6".

All the above is opinion, I have no figures to back this up. Although the test below seems to confirm my belief insofar as wide tyres and lower rolling resistance is concerned:

https://www.bicyclerollingresistance.com/specials/tubeless-latex-butyl-tubes

The same site also did comparative tests of Tubolito polymer inner tubes:

https://www.bicyclerollingresistance.com/specials/tubolito#tubolito-mtb

My 3 bikes with latex are my heavy tourer and my fast day bikes, which generally get used for longish rides where the (perceived or imagined) extra comfort outweighs the hassle of checking tyre pressure before each ride. I don't bother with latex on my utility bikes, these have butyl tubes.

I don't want to try plastic tubes, as I reckon field repairs will be difficult, I don't find latex tubes difficult to patch. And I will continue to avoid tubeless if possible, because fitting and repair seems more complicated, even if there may be less punctures. I have tried lightweight versions of butyl tubes, and had a few problems with tube failure, this is also more frequent with latex, which perishes after a few years.

Latex is more hassle than butyl, but it is hassle I am used to. 

[PH]

I did run latex tubes in an Audax bike for a while, I didn't notice the weight difference or the supposed improvement in rolling resistance.  I'm not saying there is none, just that it wasn't of a magnitude that I'd notice, and keeping them at an acceptable pressure was a real pain.

In my experience the biggest factor in how well a bike seems to roll is the weather.

Ha, yes there's so many variables it's hard to isolate any of them. 
I used to tie myself in knots trying to work it out, now I'm less concerned, if I believe X improves my cycling in some way, then it does.  problems only arise if you tell people it'll improve theirs, so I try not to do that