IN BRIEF
Hutchinson is adding a range of TPU inner tubes to its catalogue, the thermoplastic polyurethane already adopted by other inner tube makers such as Tubolito. The French manufacturer claims a tube “up to 60% lighter than a standard butyl tube”, a saving it puts at up to 70 grams per wheel, and half the bulk once folded into a jersey pocket. Three families are listed: two for road and gravel in 700, one for mountain biking in 29 inches, with Presta valves of 48, 60 or 80 mm depending on the part number. The brand promises “very low rolling resistance that brings your ride incredibly close to a full Tubeless setup”.
| Material | TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) |
| Road sizes | 700 x 25 à 35 |
| Gravel sizes | 700 x 35 à 50 |
| MTB size | 29 x 1.9 à 2.5 |
| Valves | Presta, 48, 60 or 80 mm depending on the part number |
| Claimed weight saving | up to 60% vs butyl, up to 70 g per wheel |
| Claimed bulk | 50% less volume |
| Road part numbers 700×25-35 | CV658521 (48 mm) · CV658511 (60 mm) |
| Gravel part numbers 700×35-50 | CV658531 (48 mm) · CV658541 (60 mm) |
The TPU inner tube is no longer a curiosity: Tubolito, for one, quotes 26 to 28 grams depending on valve length for its S-Tubo-Road, which it presents as the smallest and lightest road tube. Hutchinson, a French manufacturer, now enters the category in turn with a range plainly named TPU Tubes.
The Hutchinson TPU inner tube takes aim at butyl
The main argument comes down to a comparison, and Hutchinson states it bluntly on its product page: the tube is “up to 60% lighter than a standard butyl tube”. The brand turns that 60% into grams: “Save up to 70g per wheel”, up to 70 grams saved per wheel.
These are relative gains, and they should be read as such: they depend on the butyl tube taken as the benchmark, which the brand does not specify.
Half as bulky in the pocket
The second argument is often the one that counts for anyone riding far: volume. A TPU tube folds down into a noticeably smaller object than a butyl tube, which transforms a minimalist saddle bag. Hutchinson claims “50% less volume”, half the volume, and describes a tube that “easily fits into any jersey pocket or small saddlebag without adding bulk”.
The brand also puts forward an efficiency argument, more unexpected for a spare tube: it promises “very low rolling resistance that brings your ride incredibly close to a full Tubeless setup”. That is a manufacturer’s claim, with no measurement protocol published on the page; it deserves to be taken for what it is.
Road, gravel and mountain bike, Presta only
The official catalogue lists three formats. For road, a 700 x 25 to 35, available with a 48 mm Presta valve (part number CV658521) and a 60 mm one (CV658511). For gravel and wide tyres, a 700 x 35 to 50, also in 48 mm (CV658531) and 60 mm (CV658541). And for mountain biking, a 29 x 1.9 to 2.5. Valve lengths go up to 80 mm on the road version, enough to cover deep-section rims.
The official page sums up the intent in a tagline: “More performance. Less weight. Ready for the road.” The page also spells out the intended use: Hutchinson promises “maximum reliability for Tubetype or Tubeless Ready tires”. It mentions neither a price nor an on-sale date.
