Optimizing a carbon folding bike: What advantages do TPU tubes offer?

Anyone who's ever handled a folding bike with a carbon frame knows: weight isn't a detail, it's a core experience. You feel every kilogram less when carrying it on the train, lifting it into the luggage rack, or pushing it through the station. The MYVELO Monza Carbon takes this concept further – with an upgrade that seems inconspicuous at first glance, but has a noticeable effect: TPU inner tubes .

By Fabian Huber 3 minutes read time

Carbon Klapprad optimieren: Welche Vorteile TPU Schläuche bringen

About the author Fabian Huber

Fabian founded MYVELO together with Vincent. The two share a long-standing passion for cycling. Together they have cycled thousands of kilometers and fought for victories in the German racing bike league. The idea of founding MYVELO arose from their many years of experience and knowledge of what makes a good bike. Find out more about MYVELO now

Published: July 15, 2026

Lightweight was yesterday – ultralight is today.

Anyone who's ever handled a folding bike with a carbon frame knows: weight isn't a detail, it's a core experience. You feel every kilogram less when carrying it on the train, lifting it into the luggage rack, or pushing it through the station. The MYVELO Monza Carbon takes this concept further – with an upgrade that seems inconspicuous at first glance, but has a noticeable effect: TPU inner tubes .

What are TPU hoses?

TPU stands for thermoplastic polyurethane – a high-performance plastic primarily known from the sports sector. Unlike the widely used butyl rubber hoses, which have been the standard for decades, TPU hoses are manufactured using injection molding. The result is a hose with an extremely thin, uniform wall thickness and a weight that far surpasses butyl hoses.

A classic butyl inner tube for 20-inch wheels typically weighs between 100 and 150 grams. A comparable TPU inner tube, on the other hand, weighs only 40 to 55 grams . That may sound like little, but when you add up the weight of the front and rear wheels, that quickly amounts to 100 to 200 grams less rotating weight .

And rotating mass is not ordinary mass: it must first be set in motion for every acceleration. Lighter wheels react more directly, accelerate faster, and brake more responsively. The difference is measurable – and noticeable in everyday use with a folding bike in city traffic.

TPU vs. Butyl: A direct comparison

Characteristic	Butyl	TPU
Weight (20 inches)	100–150 g	40–55 g
Rolling resistance	Medium	Low
Air loss (standby time)	Medium	Small amount
Repairability	Very good	Good (special patches)
durability	Proven	High
Cold resistance	Good	Very good

TPU inner tubes lose significantly less air when stationary than butyl inner tubes – a practical advantage for anyone who doesn't ride their folding bike daily but wants it to be ready to go at all times. TPU also remains elastic in cold weather, while butyl becomes more brittle at low temperatures.

The Monza Carbon: Where every detail is placed

The MYVELO Monza Carbon is the flagship among MYVELO folding bikes. Its full carbon frame sets the standard for weight – TPU inner tubes are the logical consequence of this philosophy. Anyone investing in a carbon folding bike has clear priorities: weight, ride feel, and everyday usability. Optimization doesn't stop with frame selection.

Carbon frame + TPU tubes = maximum weight efficiency. Both measures aim for the same goal: a folding bike you can truly take anywhere – because it feels light, because it's easy to carry, because it redefines commuting.

What this means in everyday life

Imagine your typical commute: leaving your apartment in the morning, cycling up one flight of stairs, taking the train, getting off at the station, and then cycling the last two kilometers to the office. You don't just do this once – you do it every day. And every day you notice whether your folding bike is lightweight or not.

The Monza Carbon with TPU inner tubes isn't just a technically impressive bike. It's a folding bike you won't leave at home because it's too heavy. A bike you won't forget in the trunk because it seems like too much trouble. A bike you 'll simply take with you – because it's designed to.

Maintenance and breakdown cover: What you should know

TPU inner tubes can be repaired in the event of a puncture – however, this requires special patches designed for TPU material. Standard repair kits do not adhere reliably to TPU. Those who frequently travel should therefore carry a suitable repair kit.

Alternatively, thanks to its compact size, a TPU inner tube can be folded even smaller than a butyl inner tube – it fits easily into any jersey pocket or saddlebag. A spare inner tube weighs hardly more than a chocolate bar.

For maximum puncture protection, we recommend combining a TPU inner tube with a high-quality tire featuring a puncture protection belt. The Monza Carbon comes standard with Schwalbe Big Apple tires.

Conclusion: No detail is too small

The decision to use TPU inner tubes on the MYVELO Monza Carbon is not a marketing ploy, but rather the result of consistent engineering. A folding bike that combines carbon and TPU understands that true quality arises from the interplay of many details – not from a single standout feature.

If you're looking for a folding bike that makes no compromises – in terms of weight, riding feel, and everyday use – then the MYVELO Monza Carbon is just right for you.