For the average rider, inner tubes have been one of the most enduring and unchanging parts of bicycle design over the decades. They’re made of rubber, they have a Schrader or Presta valve, and they generally do an okay job at cushioning the ride. However, if you’re an above-average rider, or just obsessive about your gear, you might consider butyl rubber tubes rather old hat. Today, there are far fancier—and more expensive—options on the market if you’re looking to squeeze every drip of performance out of your bike. A Series Of Tubes Butyl rubber inner tubes have a lot of things going for them, which is why they’ve been the standard forever. Rubber holds air well, and is easy enough to repair in the event of a puncture. It’s also cheap. However, there are some ways in which the butyl inner tube holds a bicycle back. A thick rubber tube isn’t exactly light; even in a road bicycle application, a single tube can weigh 100 grams or more. They also add to the rolling resistance of a wheel and tire combination.…