Road bike wheels can be inflated using a number of different methods. Butyl inner tubes, TPU inner tubes and tubeless sealant are the most popular ways of doing so, but which is best? What is the best way to inflate road bike tyres?
Sam Gupta has tested all three methods to work out what's best. Each has benefits and drawbacks, so Sam identifies what they are and what the best use cases are for each different type of inflation.
This video was produced in partnership with Pirelli / Extra UK
Sam Gupta has tested all three methods to work out what's best. Each has benefits and drawbacks, so Sam identifies what they are and what the best use cases are for each different type of inflation.
This video was produced in partnership with Pirelli / Extra UK
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SportsTranscript
00:00There are multiple ways to inflate your road bike tyres.
00:03Some of the most popular ways include the standard trusty butyl inner tube, TPU smart
00:08tubes and of course, tubeless.
00:11But out of these three different ways, what actually is the fastest set up?
00:16Well, to find out, we've come here to the Silverstone Sports Engineering Testing Facility
00:21where we're going to be using its rolling resistance rig.
00:25Then we can find out, out of the three, which really is the fastest out on the road.
00:35Now before we start any testing, we have to set some baseline parameters to ensure that
00:40all of the testing is fair.
00:42We'll be using the Pirelli PZero Race TLR tyres with the new updated Speedcore casing
00:49for the tubeless test and the Pirelli PZero Race tyres for both of the clincher setups,
00:55all of which will be in a 28c tyre size.
00:59These tyres sit at the top of Pirelli's road race offering and work as the perfect
01:04test bed for today.
01:06The tyres are made in the brand's Italian factory over in Milan and make use of the
01:10most up-to-date technologies, meaning they're perfect for anyone who wants to go fast without
01:16compromise.
01:18In fact, the latest TLR version features Pirelli's new Speedcore casing and it's claimed that
01:24this new technology has resulted in a 24% reduction in rolling resistance, so we should
01:30be in for some fascinating results.
01:33And to keep everything as fair as possible, I'll also be using Pirelli's own inner
01:38tubes, smart tubes and sealant.
01:41The tyres have been mounted to the same fast forward front wheels, all of which have been
01:45pre-set up and have had over 48 hours sat in the testing facility to ensure that they
01:50are fully acclimatised to that environment.
01:53I'll be using this digital Toppeak pressure gauge and Joe Blow floor pump to ensure that
01:59the pressures are all exactly the same, which for this test will be 6 bar.
02:05Then when the tyres are on the rig, each tyre will be run on a 10 minute warm up cycle.
02:11Then we'll run them at two speeds, 25kmph and 40kmph, each three times, which will give
02:19us some very accurate numbers to work off.
02:22We'll be monitoring the sidewall temperature, the environment temperature and of course
02:27those all important wattage numbers.
02:29So without further ado, let's get going!
02:41So, with the testing concluded, we now have some pretty interesting numbers to have a
02:56look at.
02:57We'll first start with the standard butyl inner tube.
03:00Of course, it still very much has its place in the market and poses a convenient and cost
03:05effective way of setting up your road wheels.
03:09The scores on the doors are as follows.
03:11At 24kmph it created 12.8 watts of rolling resistance.
03:17However, at 40kmph it created 24 watts of resistance.
03:23So, now that we have the first set of numbers, let's move on to those Pirelli Smart Tubes.
03:30It created 11.38 watts of resistance at 24kmph and 21.2 watts at 40kmph.
03:40So we have already seen a drop in resistance to the tune of nearly 3 watts.
03:46And that's just on one wheel.
03:49On to the tubeless setup, which makes use of those PZero Race TLR tyres and at 24kmph
03:56it created 11.2 watts of resistance and at 40kmph it created 20.88 watts.
04:05So compared to the standard inner tubes, the tubeless tyres have saved well over 3 watts
04:11per wheel.
04:12And compared to the Pirelli Smart Tubes, it has saved a third of a watt at 40kmph.
04:18I think these numbers paint quite an interesting picture.
04:22It shows that the standard inner tubes, although slower, still have a place in the market.
04:27But if you really do want to go fast, the PZero Race TLR tyres are the way to go.
04:33However, if you want to enjoy a clincher setup, then by using the Pirelli Smart Tubes you
04:38can increase the performance of the Pirelli PZero Race tyre to almost match that of the
04:44tubeless version.
04:45It's not just rolling resistance that makes you fast, but instead what the tyres feel
04:51like when you're out on the tarmac.
04:54Reducing feedback through the bike means that as a rider, you'll be less fatigued and
04:58be able to put out more power for longer.
05:02And in my experience, this is where tubeless makes a dramatic difference.
05:07The ability to run at lower pressure means you can achieve just that.
05:12Also, the measured widths of the tyres actually varied quite a lot.
05:17Despite all the tyres being 28C in size, the setups with the inner tubes and smart tubes
05:22measured at 27.7mm across the wheel, while the tubeless setup came in at 28.4mm.
05:29So for the least amount of rolling resistance, we were able to enjoy the largest contact
05:35patch with the road.
05:37A bigger contact patch results in more grip and comfort, and that is especially important
05:43when you want to increase your speed in the corners or just over some rough terrain.
05:48Another factor to consider is the weight.
05:51A standard butyl inner tube generally comes in at around 100g.
05:55However, the Pirelli Smart Tubes come in at about 35g.
06:01And it's a similar story with the Searlent too, because for the 40ml that you get in
06:06one of those little bottles, that comes in at about 45g.
06:11By reducing the weight of the wheels, especially right at the rim, you'll be able to take
06:16advantage of a faster accelerating wheel, making it easier to attack on the climbs and
06:21just beat your mates in the sprints.
06:24But this leads me onto another consideration that you should be thinking about, and that's
06:29puncture protection.
06:31Happily, these PZero race tyres are equipped with Pirelli's Speedcore technology, meaning
06:38that the tyres aren't just fast rolling, but they also contain some puncture protection.
06:43However, by opting for the TLR tyres, if you do get a puncture, then the Searlent will
06:49be able to take care of it, meaning that you can keep on riding.
06:53Whereas on the tube setup, you may have to stop to make a repair.
07:00So what can we take away from all of this information?
07:04Smart tubes make a lot of sense for those wanting a lightweight setup, and one which
07:08is almost as fast as a tubeless one.
07:12But if you're looking to go as fast as possible everywhere, from the results, the PZero race
07:18TLR tyres certainly steal the crown.
07:21They're the fastest rolling, they have the biggest contact patch with the road, aiding
07:24in grip and comfort, and in the event that you do get a puncture, well, you should be
07:30able to keep on riding.
07:31They certainly represent themselves as a high quality option.
07:36Quite frankly, if they are good enough for Trek-Segafrido's Mads Pedersen, then I've
07:41no doubt that they will perform for you too.
07:43Happily, these tyres sit within Pirelli's wider range of road tyres.
07:48So if you're after other performance tyres manufactured in Pirelli's purpose-built
07:52factory in Italy, where the highest standards of quality control and technical capability
07:58are harnessed, covering a multitude of different price points and offering different features
08:03for different conditions, then just head to the link below to discover what could be right
08:08for you.
08:09Let me know down below, given the results, which setup would you opt for?
08:15If you enjoyed the video, then please do drop it a like, subscribe to the channel for more
08:18content and I will see you again very soon.