SILCA, a brand synonymous with precision, polish, and performance, is taking its turn at reinventing the inner tube. The new SILCA Ultimate TPU Tube looks to redefine what riders expect from their spares and setups. How? Combining unpigmented thermoplastic polyurethane construction, innovative engineering, and real-world usability into one sleek, German-made package.
Lightweight, Packable, and Built for Speed
The new SILCA Ultimate tube weighs in at a claimed 45 grams for a 700×35mm size (compared to ~150g for a standard butyl tube). What is it made from? Clear, unpigmented thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). A material choice we’re seeing more and more in the resurgence of performance intertubes. Why? It avoids the structural weaknesses and higher rolling resistance often caused by colored additives. Plus, it packs down super small (see above).
The Big Question: “Will it make me faster?”
SILCA claims up to 2–4 watts saved over butyl and performance within 0.2 watts of latex. The tubes are available for road (24–43mm) and off-road (44–64mm) tires, with 50mm and 70mm valve options.
Tech Details – Silca Ultimate TPU Tube
- Patented Mechanical Valve Bond: The TPU material is mechanically sandwiched between aluminum flanges, preventing the pump-head stress failures that plague many TPU designs.
- Fully Threaded Aluminum Valve & Locking Nut: Ensures a solid pump connection with no valve movement or rim rub during inflation.
- Removable Valve Core & Extender Compatibility: Ready for deep rims and aero setups.
- Heat-Resistant Design: Optimized for high-flow electric pumps (like SILCA’s ELETTRICO) and rapid inflation, withstanding the heat that typically destroys lightweight TPU tubes.
- Field Repair Kit Included: Each tube ships with adhesive patches and wipes, so your spare effectively becomes two spares.
Built for Modern Rides
Unlike some ultralight tubes that prioritize weight over function, SILCA’s TPU model is built for real-world use. It’s road, gravel, and MTB-ready, designed to handle the kind of abuse you’d expect on long rides or races. While it’s not a run-flat, it packs down so small and inflates so easily that it’s a natural upgrade over traditional spares.
Performance // Practicality
SILCA engineered these tubes to be compatible with modern inflation systems, including high-output pumps. The TPU’s structure allows safe, staged inflation (in 15 PSI steps), avoiding the heat stress that causes other TPU tubes to fail.
SILCA Ultimate TPU Tube – Price and Availability
The SILCA Ultimate TPU Tube is available in three options.
- 700×44-64mm w/50mm valve (claimed weight 62g +/-7%)
- 700x24x43mm w/70mm valve (claimed weight 46g +/-7%)
- 700×24-43mm w/50mm valve (claimed weight 45g +/-7%)
The SILCA Ultimate TPU Tube retails for $39 USD.
