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  • The code 'SAVE40' now takes 40% off everything at innertube shop, not just bundles.

  • I have dabbled with the world of "superlight" inner tubes and I would say no. Puncture resistance comes from your tyre. If something pierces through that, the thickness of your inner tube is going to do diddly squat.

    Pinch flats could be another story, but if you're getting those you need to pump your tyres more and stop riding into curbs.

  • Are the "superlight" tubes any good?

    I'm sure their tubes are no better or worse than anyone else's, but making butyl tubes lighter (ie thinner) is not a good way to go about the problem of saving weight.

    Latex is superior to butyl in every regard, as a material for an inner tube, except gas permeability. So you don't want them on your daily, which is exactly the use case that calls for maximum puncture protection and making butyl thinner, reduces it.

    Hovis is right that tyres are your first line of defence, but the tube still has a role to play unless you're rolling on something like Marathon Plus and in that case you wouldn't be bothered about saving a few grams of butyl.

    During hedge cutting season I picked up a thorn in my rear tyre. I only stopped because of the noise and what I could feel: doink-doink-doink. The thorn was fully 5mm out of the inside of the tyre, but the latex tube didn't puncture and stretched around it instead. Butyl is too rigid to have done that.

    If you want lighter inner tubes, get latex and enjoy the benefits of reduced rolling resistance, improved puncture protection and greater comfort. Just make sure your tyres warrant them.

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