The S-Tubo and Tube MTB tubes from Tubolio
A $38 inner tube? When you first hear it, the retail price of the Tubolito Tubo MTB Tube sounds outrageous. However, it might just be worth it. A 29″ Tubo MTB Tubolito tube weighs in at a listed 85 grams, is tougher than a standard tube, and has half the packed size.
The S-Tubo MTB tube and a standard butyl tube, compared.
Consider this: a standard 29″ MTB tube weighs around 200 grams, nearly half a pound. If you’re a prepared rider, on every ride you’re carrying a spare tube, some tubeless tire plugs and maybe even sealant and patches — that weight adds up. If you are the type of rider that counts grams on your bike, the Tubo is an easy sell; $35 to drop 100 grams of loaded carry ends up being a solid value.
The Tubo, mounted on a rim for demonstration purposes. While very durable, they don’t expand as much as a butyl tube, so carrying the correct size is key.
While it seems like a lot of spend on an inner tube. When the Tubo was initially launched, it was priced at $40, which.. yeah. The less expensive Tubeo, which at$35, does sound better than $40, but it’s still a hell of a lot for an accessory that’s sole role is to just sit in a frame bag, backpack or waist pack. But when you consider the role of a spare tube is primarily insurance, the logic of lightening that every ride carry is sound. And if you pop for the lightest model, the S-Tubo-MTB, (which you will, at this point $3 is nothing) the weight drops down to a measly 45grams. You could carry a few, and still save weight and room.
And you can bet your ass that when your unprepared riding buddy “forgets” to pack his spare you are having him sign an IOU.. (or probably going to also claim to have done the same.)
On the upside, you could easily pack several of the Tuboito tubes in the same amount of space a convention tube takes. Is it worth the price? We have yet to actually try one, but are always working on ways to lighten our load; the value proposition Tubolito presents is strong.
The 45g S-Tubo MTB tube lists for $37.90, and the Tube $34.90. Learn more at Tubolito.com
