Considering how useful it would be, we have to assume that a self-inflating inner tube is not the easiest thing to create. Perhaps that is why after an aborted attempt to fund the project in 2011, Pumptire has reorganized with a working prototype and a new valve design.
On the initial release, Pumptire’s valves used a preset pressure setting. Likely one of the reasons the design went back to the drawing board, now Pumptire is promoting an adjustable valve. The photo above was posted on the company’s facebook page, which appears to show the prototype though to our eyes the valve itself looks to be a computer generated image. This would be in line with the fact that Pumptire states the adjustable valve has been designed and patented, but hasn’t yet made it to production. As you can imagine, the adjustable valve would be an important feature so that riders aren’t forced into a certain pressure.
There is no word as to expected pricing, but if it falls in line with their previous pricing, you can expect a single tube to run as much as many tires. However, if it has the potential to all but eliminate flats it may have some real potential. According to Pumptire, once the finished design is complete we can expect a new Kickstarter launch in 2016.
