Pirelli have released a new line of ultra lightweight innertubes for road, gravel and MTB clincher tires. The new Pirelli SmarTUBEs swap out standard butyl for a new thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), the lighter and and stronger option. The brand claim their P ZERO SmarTUBE for road, Cintauro SmarTUBE for Gravel and Scorpion SmarTUBE for MTB save up to 70% on weight and 50% on space with their ultra compact design. Here’s more.
Pirelli SmarTUBE
The new Pirelli SmarTUBE line came about following the development of their World Tour tubular, the P ZERO Race Tub SL, which runs a SmarTUBE inside. Just like the lightweight innertubes offered by Tubolito and Schwalbe, the new SmarTUBE innertubes for clincher tires are composed of TPU plastic.
They can save up to 70% on weight as compared to some already lightweight latex options, and TPU has better air retention properties. For those concerned with their wheels’ rotating mass, these could be a very attractive option. The TPU also offers twice the puncture protection over a standard butyl tube.
There are three options available, specified to fit road, gravel and mountain bike tires. The Pirelli P ZERO SmarTUBE covers road applications for 700c wheels running 23c to 32c clincher tires. With a 60mm Presta valve with glued core, this one weighs in at a svelte 35g.
The Cintaurato SmarTUBE for gravel is available in four options, covering both 650b and 700c wheel sizes with heavier reinforced options too. The 650b version is not reinforced; it weighs a claimed 45g and is specified for use with 40c to 45c tires. The non-reinforced 700c option weighs a claimed 49g and is recommended for use with 33c to 45c tires.
Pirelli offer two reinforced versions of the 700c Cintaurato SmarTUBE. The 28c to 35c option runs a 60mm Presta valve and weighs a claimed 70g. The fatter option for 35c to 45c tires runs a shorter 42mm Presta valve and weighs a claimed 110g.
Finally, we have the Pirelli Scorpion SmarTUBE, named after their line of gravity tires developed with Fabien Barel. There’s a 29″ and 27.5″ option for tires up to 2.6″ wide, weighing 100g and 95g, respectively. There’s also a narrower 29″ XC option (1.8″ to 2.2″) weighing a claimed 75g. All run 42mm Presta valves.
Pricing & Availability
All options of the new Pirelli SmarTUBE innertubes for clincher tires retail at $36.90 USD and are available now.
