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A road.cc review of Nutrak’s Presta-valve TPU inner tube found it weighed 56.8g and had a more substantial build and metal valve than many lightweight TPU alternatives. The reviewer reported no problems during testing but said its extra weight, packed size and price made it hard to recommend over lighter TPU tubes.
A road.cc review of Nutrak’s thicker TPU bicycle inner tube found it weighs 56.8g and uses a metal Presta valve, making it substantially lighter than the reviewer’s butyl tube but heavier and bulkier than other TPU options tested. The reviewer reported no punctures during testing, while cautioning that this did not establish long-term durability.
The tube is designed as a middle ground: it uses thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), typically chosen for lighter weight and compact packing, but has a more substantial construction than ultra-light TPU alternatives. Nutrak’s product information describes the tube as having slightly thicker TPU for added durability and a copper valve intended to improve strength and corrosion resistance. Those durability and corrosion-resistance points are manufacturer claims, not findings established by the review.
In the reviewer’s measurements, the Nutrak tube weighed 56.8g, compared with 138.4g for their standard butyl tube. Two other TPU tubes in the review’s comparison weighed 27.8g for a standard-size option and 48.9g for a gravel tube designed for 40–50mm tyres. The Nutrak was also described as larger when packed; the reviewer estimated that two standard TPU tubes could fit in about the space occupied by one Nutrak.
The reviewer said the tube worked as intended and assigned it 8/10 for quality and 8/10 for performance, but rated value at 5/10. The review’s overall rating was 5/10. The reviewer considered the metal valve a practical advantage for riders using electric pumps, which may not suit plastic valve stems as well, but said the tube’s added weight and size weakened its case against more compact TPU alternatives.
The Trade-Off for Spare Tubes
For riders choosing an inner tube to carry as a roadside spare, weight and packed size can affect what fits in a saddlebag or jersey pocket. Nutrak’s construction may appeal to people who prefer a sturdier-feeling tube or a metal valve, especially if they use an electric pump. But the review’s measurements show that those features come with a weight and space cost compared with the lighter TPU tubes tested.
The trade-off is relevant beyond race-day weight. A tube that is easier to handle with a particular pump or feels more robust could suit some riders, while touring and bikepacking riders may place greater importance on carrying compact spares. The review did not establish that the thicker construction prevents more punctures, so riders should not treat the added material as proven protection. Its findings point to a choice based on priorities, rather than evidence that one design is universally more reliable.
Price may also shape that decision. The review said some retailers offered two standard TPU tubes for about £11, while established-brand alternatives were also available at lower prices than their list prices. The report did not provide a specific Nutrak price in the supplied material, limiting a direct price comparison. Its conclusion was that the potential durability benefit might not justify the difference if buyers can purchase multiple lighter tubes for the price of one Nutrak.
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How It Compares With Other TPU Tubes
TPU tubes are commonly chosen as an alternative to traditional butyl tubes when riders want to reduce the weight and bulk of a spare. The road.cc review frames Nutrak’s model as a compromise within that category: it remains much lighter than the reviewer’s 138.4g butyl tube, but does not match the weight of the two TPU examples measured.
For its comparisons, the reviewer cited a 27.8g standard TPU tube and a 48.9g gravel tube intended for 40–50mm tyres. The review also mentioned the PSIKIC TPU inner tube, previously tested at £15.99, and said Tubolito products could often be found below their recommended retail prices. These comparisons reflect the reviewer’s examples and reported market conditions, not a full survey of every available tube or retailer.
The review’s on-road testing produced no punctures or other problems with the Nutrak tubes. That observation applies only to the test period described by the reviewer. No duration, mileage, route conditions or controlled comparison of puncture rates is provided in the supplied report, so it cannot establish whether the thicker tube lasts longer than lighter TPU products.
“I had no punctures or problems with the Nutrak tubes during testing, although that’s obviously not enough to make any definitive claims about long-term durability.”
— road.cc reviewer
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Durability Evidence Remains Limited
The supplied review does not specify the testing duration or mileage, nor does it provide controlled puncture testing against thinner TPU tubes. The reviewer’s trouble-free use is a limited observation, not evidence that the Nutrak design has a lower puncture rate or longer service life. The manufacturer’s statements about high air retention, durability and corrosion resistance are product claims; the supplied review does not report independent measurements verifying them.
The review material also does not give a specific Nutrak retail price, exact packed dimensions, or the size and tyre range of the reviewed tube. It is not clear how its performance would vary with tyre pressure, road surface or riding conditions. The comparison prices are retailer-dependent and may change, so buyers would need to check current listings before comparing value.
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Check Fit and Current Pricing
Riders considering the tube should check its size and compatibility with their tyre and wheel, along with the current price and the type of pump they use. Those who carry a spare may also want to compare packed dimensions and weight with alternatives, rather than judging the purchase on the claimed durability advantage alone.
No further test results or follow-up findings are included in the supplied source. Until longer-term or comparative durability data is available, the review supports a limited conclusion: Nutrak offers a heavier, more substantial TPU option with a metal valve, but the claimed durability benefit remains unproven by the reported testing.
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Key Questions
How much does the Nutrak TPU tube weigh?
The road.cc reviewer measured it at 56.8g. The supplied product information rounds the weight to 56g.
Is the Nutrak tube lighter than a butyl tube?
Yes, in the review’s comparison it weighed 56.8g, against 138.4g for the reviewer’s standard butyl tube. The size and weight of butyl tubes vary, so that comparison applies to the tube tested.
Did the review prove the thicker tube is more durable?
No. The reviewer reported no punctures or problems during testing but said that was not enough to make definitive claims about long-term durability. The added durability is a design aim and manufacturer claim, not a demonstrated comparative result.
What is the benefit of the metal Presta valve?
The reviewer described the metal valve as more robust than plastic stems found on many lightweight TPU tubes and said it could be useful with some electric pumps. The review does not establish that every electric pump is incompatible with plastic valves.
Why did the reviewer give it an overall 5/10?
The reviewer said the tube worked, but judged its weight, packed size and value poorly against lighter TPU alternatives. They rated quality and performance 8/10 each and value 5/10, resulting in an overall 5/10 rating.
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