![]() Installation is as simple as installing a regular tube, even a little easier, since the slippery surface of the tube quickly pops into place on the rim when partially inflated. I swapped the standard 29″ butyl tubes out for the Aerothan 700c Allround tubes on a bike I’m currently testing. Like the Tubolitos, the Aerothan tubes pack down to slightly larger than 1/3 the size of an equivalent rubber tube and have the ability to be compressed a little further with a small strap or tape. They definitely live up to Schwalbe’s weight claims and are on par with Tubolito’s large line of ultralight tubes. The 27.5+ Aerothan tube weighed an impressive 116g, compared to a Maxxis 27.5+ tube at 343g. On my scale, the 700c Allround tubes weighed in at 65g, compared to an equal butyl rubber tube (700 x 45-50mm) at 147g. They ship in a small paper box with a little rubber band to keep the tube from unraveling. Both the 700c Allround and 27.5+ tubes pack down impressively small, disappearing in the bottom of a frame bag while bikepacking or easily tucked into a hip pack while out for the day. The TPU construction is quite slick, not grippy like standard rubber tubes, and doesn’t feel fragile to the touch. The Aerothan tubes are impressively lightweight, and their semi-transparent, undied finish looks particularly futuristic. I’ve been running a pair of their 700c Allround tubes (and carrying a 27.5+ tube as a spare) for the last few weeks to see how they feel. ![]() What makes them unique is their puncture, heat, and pinch resistance, and a ride feel that has been compared to a true tubeless setup. The Schwalbe Aerothan Tubes are made from a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), including the valve, and weigh 65% less than a comparable butyl rubber tube. Although there are other ultralight tube options out there, the latest traditional tube alternative to join the ranks is Schwalbe’s Aerothan Tube, and the brand is making some big claims about them. ![]() For a last resort item like a tube, it seems a bit crazy to lug one around when some of the larger plus-sized options weigh over a pound and aren’t small by any means. Of course, running a proper tubeless setup can help mitigate some of that, and is certainly our recommendation for bikepacking-but you should still carry a spare tube just in case. A major drawback of running big tires and tubes is the weight that comes with them. ![]()
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