Track cycling inner tube Crr testing: TPU vs latex

PH587141 • 30 July 2025
Reducing rolling resistance is imperative to improved cycling performance, particularly during high speed track cycling. A tyre with a high rolling resistance will require more power to travel at the same speed, whilst a low rolling resistance tyre requires less power.

We have previous shown that top end clincher tyres, such as the FMB/AeroCoach Pista Ultra 3000 have extremely low rolling resistance. We have also found that for road tyres at road pressures, latex inner tubes are the best option for reducing Crr compared with TPU tubes. 

In this test we explore the difference between TPU and latex tubes but at higher, track relevant pressures and with a track specific tyre rather than a road tyre.

The goal of this test was to establish the Crr difference between latex and TPU tubes at higher pressures and with track specific tyres, in this case a Vittoria latex tube and Schwalbe Aerothan TPU tube fitted to an FMB/AeroCoach Pista Ultra 3000 24.5mm clincher tyre.


In our previous inner tube Crr test, using Continental GP5000 25mm clincher tyres, we found that there was a ~5.5% increase (=worse) Crr when swapping from a Vittoria latex inner tube to a Schwalbe Aerothan. 

In order to test rolling resistance, we swapped between the tubes as a rider rode a bike on rollers, measuring power output and speed, as well as atmospheric conditions and bike/rider weight. This allows us to calculate what is known as the Coefficient of Rolling Resistance (or "Crr"), which can be used to model the power output required to travel on a normal road. A lower Crr is better - in that it requires less power to travel at the same speed.


The FMB/AeroCoach Pista Ultra 3000 24.5mm tyre was fitted to an aluminium rim (external width 24.7mm, internal width 19.6mm). The pressure was 130psi for all tubes. 

We found in this test, that when using a track specific clincher tyre (FMB/AeroCoach Pista Ultra 3000), at a high pressure of 130psi, that the difference between a latex tube and TPU tube was greater than when we had previously tested it on a road tyre with road pressures.


The increase in Crr (=worse performance) with the TPU tube in this test is the equivalent of ~5.7w at 55kph, for a pair of wheels. This is ~2.9w per wheel.


In the chart below the Schwalbe Aerothan is in yellow and sits just above the Vittoria Pista Speed tubular in 23mm (which uses a latex tube internally)

In this test we found that, similarly to the previous test conducted with a road tyre and at road pressures, using a Vittoria latex inner tube resulted in a better (lower) Crr than a Schwalbe Aerothan TPU tube.


However at the higher pressures used in track cycling, and with a track specific clincher tyre, there was a greater Crr difference between latex/TPU. This may be because track clincher tyres do not have a puncture protective belt under the tread, like road tyres, so the inner tube has more of an impact on the overall Crr of the tyre and tube system compared with a thicker tyre which increases total Crr.

FMB/AeroCoach Pista Ultra 3000 track clincher & tubular tyres

4 April 2025
AeroCoach has collaborated with French artisan tyre makes FMB to create the highest performance track clincher and tubular tyres. Read on for the process and data.

Continental Aero 111 wind tunnel & rolling resistance data

by PH587141 • 27 November 2024
The new Continental Aero 111 tyre is designed to provide maximal aerodynamic advantage by use of a custom tread pattern. However there is often a tradeoff between aerodynamics and rolling resistance (Crr) in terms of how tyres are shaped and how this affects Crr, and understanding how the two combine to provide the overall fastest system is essential when looking to improve performance on the bike.

Clincher tyre rolling resistance performance in track cycling

16 February 2024
This test explores the difference in rolling resistance between clincher and tubular track racing tyres. Vittoria, Veloflex, Dugast and Continental tyres are compared at different inflation pressures.
Dr Xavier Disley of AeroCoach & Chris Hall are performing a road bike fit at AeroCoach HQ

Understanding road bike fit aerodynamics - how to get more aero!

by PH587141 • 23 October 2023
Chris Hall came to visit us at AeroCoach HQ in order to improve his bike fit on his Cervélo road bike, specifically focusing on aerodynamics for road bike time trials. Holding different positions such as in the drops, the breakaway aero position and on the hoods we explored the impact on Chris' body position and how that would relate to his aerodynamic drag. Watch the video to improve your road bike fit for aerodynamics: Xavier and Chris discuss narrow handlebars, turned in levers, torso angle, aero helmets and more!

Tubular track tyre rolling resistance

22 May 2023
Ensuring you have the best equipment during high speed track cycling events is extremely important. This data set provides information on the best tubular track tires/tyres for rolling resistance/Crr.

UCI Time Trial position regulations for 2023 onwards

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How to hold aerobar extensions

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Front light aerodynamics

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Clip on aerobars

29 October 2021
Using clip on aerobars on a road bike is a great way to improve your aeroydnamics. Your body accounts for around 80% of the aerodynamic drag of the bike and rider system. In this test we explore the impact of holding different positions on a standard drop handlebar, alongside an aerobar position using a set of Ascalon extensions. A lower aerodynamic drag will result in less power required to travel at the same speed, or for the same power will cause an increase in riding speed, when not travelling up steep gradients.
UCI legal and illegal banned road bike aero positions

UCI banned road bike position aerodynamics

18 April 2021
The UCI have banned and outlawed some aero positions, such as riding using your forearms as a point of contact. What is the impact of turning the lever hoods inwards or riding with an illegal position with the forearms on aerodynamic drag? What is faster?
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