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Bike gear roundup: New releases from BikeTube // 4iiii Innovations // Flectr

4iiii Power Meter
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Bike Tube Butane Tube Valve

Here’s another dose of fresh gear to get you through the weekend. BikeTube released their Butane tubes that offer a lightweight alternative to standard tubes, plus a low priced hand pump. 4iiii Inovations is selling pre-set cranks with their new PRECISION power meter installed along with providing a custom install service. Additionally, Flectr launched their Gravel Guard frame protection systems that offer self-healing properties and a thicker frame protection alternative.

Get the weights, prices and compatible options after the break.

BikeTube Butane Tube

BikeTube Butane Tube
Photo c. BikeTube

New from BikeTube are their Butane High-Performance Road Tubes. By using a 0.73mm tube construction and an aluminum valve stem they’re able to shave around 50g off (a pair – varying with stem length) of a standard rubber tube. Stem lengths range from 48mm to 80mm, while tube widths include 18 – 25mm and 25 – 32mm. Butane tube weights include – 700 x 18 – 25c : 74 g [48mm] : 75 g [60mm] : 77 g [80mm] – 700 x 25 – 30c : 82 g [48mm] : 83 g [60mm] : 85 g [80mm]. Weights may vary +/- 3 g. The $8 Butane tubes have a noticeable weight loss compared to BikeTube’s standard tube offerings that use brass valves and weigh about 96 g for a 18 – 25mm tube [48mm valve] and 130 g for a 25 – 32mm tube [48mm valve].

Since you’ll need something to inflate those new tubes, BikeTube also has a new Air Handler mini pump which should do the trick. The pump is pretty compact and includes a switch to go from high volume to high pressure with a price tag of just $12.

  • Patented piston system pumps air in both stroke directions
  • Two-stage switch allows high pressure pumping with minimal effort
  • Patented Auto Head automatically adapts to Presta or Schrader valves
  • Polished aluminum barrel
  • Rated to 120 p.s.i.
  • 6.5″ (16 cm.), 3.8 oz., 107 grams
  • Spare rubber grommet included

4iiii Innovations PRECISION Power Meter

4iiii Power Meter Cranks
Photo c. 4iiii Innovations Inc.

4iiii Innovations claims to have the lightest power meter in the world with their PERCISION meter. It weighs only 9 grams and sports their 3D technology which allows riders to analyze the vertical and horizontal forces on the crank. Plus, it’s compatible with ANT+, Bluetooth computers, smartphones and other products provided by 4iiii. Replaceable 2032 batteries, a 100+ hour run-time and low battery alerts make it easy to manage over time. System options available including pre-installed Dura Ace cranks (dual sides) $1,500 : left-side arms are available in 105, Ultegra, Dura Ace, XT and XTR from $400 – $600. You can also have them installed on your personal cranks for $400 (left arm), $600 (drive-side), $750 (dual). A list of compatible cranks is found hereopens Word doc web page.

Flectr Gravel Guard

Flectr Gravel Guard

Flectr Gravel Guard Bike Frame Protection Flectr Gravel Guard Bike Protection

Photo c. Flectr

The Gravel Guard from Flectr focuses on providing high-impact-damping film to protect your frame from rocks, gravel and day-to-day abuse. The 0.36mm film provides a barrier that’s thin enough to keep the surface from catching against other objects, and thick enough to absorb the force of potential road/trail spray. It also has self-healing properties that keep the guard from appearing damaged after impact. They have five options available through their website starting at €8 for small patches and up to €39 for the XL frame protector kit. They’re also releasing them on Kickstarter where products starting at the €12 pledge.

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23 Comments
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Fred
Fred
6 years ago

If I’m going to spend more money on tubes and am willing to sacrifice durability for leightweight and suppleness why not go the full enchilada and drop the extra four bucks for latex. I’ve never understood this mentality, then again I don’t understand the mentality of people who train on race wheels.

PabloE432
PabloE432
6 years ago
Reply to  Fred

Because cat 6?

Tree
Tree
6 years ago
Reply to  Fred

latex can melt on certain carbon rims during certain high braking rides

Dinger
Dinger
6 years ago
Reply to  Fred

Latex bleeds air pretty fast. Not a big deal for criteriums and short RR’s, but it’s significant enough for some. They’re also harder to patch.

Fred
Fred
6 years ago
Reply to  Dinger

I’ve never patched latex and am pretty sure it’s not worth it do so considering they’d be in race wheels where equipment failure can be catastrophic. I also have done 4+hour rides on them without a significant loss of pressure. I seriously doubt the pro peloton would be on latex tubulars if they bleed air that badly considering their races can last upwards of 6 hours.

zeberoni
6 years ago
Reply to  Fred

Bleeding air is not a problem, I’ve ridden them 48h after pumping in a pinch, still had enough PSI to ride 30 miles to the nearest known pump (i was abroad). Latex tubes are great, they’re lighter, and significantly more flexible which = MORE puncture resistance. However, riding on a butyl tube which is knowingly thinner than a standard tube is just dumb to me. The only benefit is weight, and it comes at an big expense.

Maxx
Maxx
6 years ago

74g for 48mm Presta valves is anything but lightweight to crow about.

I had lightweight butyl tubes from Continental with 48mm valves that weighed less. And that was probably a decade ago.

Eli
Eli
6 years ago
Reply to  Maxx

Its 1gram less then performance bike’s lightweight tube using rubber .13mm thicker (though not sure how they attribute stretch making the tubes thinner when installed)

Ryan S.
Ryan S.
6 years ago

My bike already has a few pieces of clear, protective tape where the brake cable rubs, but this Flectr stuff seems useful.

Flatbiller
Flatbiller
6 years ago

I just love the artisanal movement; it touches everything on a bike.

Now, can we be sure that these tubes are made using sustainable farming methods? Here’s to hoping that their next stop is conflict-free spoke nipples.

Wiscomark
Wiscomark
6 years ago
Reply to  Flatbiller

Uhh, did you read a completely different article than I did? Where did you get artisanal or any of your other ramblings?

TDO
TDO
6 years ago

How is a generic Chinese pump with a logo on it newsworthy?

PabloE432
PabloE432
6 years ago

Did you forget to mention what is new from 4iiii, or is this just an ad?

Ric Liang
Ric Liang
6 years ago
Reply to  PabloE432

Exactly. Nothing new re:4iiii

slackers
slackers
6 years ago

Just buy bulk rolls of 3M clear bra material. Put this stuff anywhere on your bike you want protection.

Greg
Greg
6 years ago

Proper lightweight butyl tubes for road are 65g and are drawn to 0.6mm with zero drawbacks besides the slightly higher cost. Bonkers light ones are 0.45mm and weigh 50grams. These are only special when compared to their standard tube.

Greg
Greg
6 years ago
Reply to  Greg

and these don’t have removable valve cores

Smallwood
Smallwood
6 years ago
Reply to  Greg

Are you removing valve cores to inject sealant? If so,what sealant and what has
been your experience?

yard dog
yard dog
6 years ago

Why make a lightweight tube and then stick a 48mm valve on it? I won’t ride anything but 32mm valves as I don’t need the extra height (or weight).

john
john
6 years ago
Reply to  yard dog

Because some people need longer valves?

Dinger
Dinger
6 years ago
Reply to  yard dog

Many “standard” depth rims on stock bikes are deep enough to make 32’s a little short. 48mm valve has become the industry standard.

drewcifer
drewcifer
6 years ago

an alloy valve stem + =/> weight in sealant will still offer a better ride quality, compliance, and more flat protection.

Veganpotter
Veganpotter
6 years ago
Reply to  drewcifer

Alloy valve stems improve compliance?

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