Impenetrable Tubes? Or maybe without an inner tube?

What to choose? Impenetrable inner tubes? Michelin Protek Max tube? How about FOSS or tubeless? In this post, we will try to answer these questions by suggesting the choice of a Michelin tube for the majority of cyclists.

Let's start with the Michelin Protek Max tube. Despite the fact that in many places on the Internet we can find information that it is an "impervious tube", in fact, even the manufacturer states that it is an "extreme puncture resistance tube". Its resistance to punctures comes from the fact that a special liquid on the inner wall of the inner tube floods the puncture hole so effectively that it quickly stops the escaping air, and we can safely reach our destination. At least that's what should happen in most cases and with relatively good and undamaged tyres.

Considering the price of this inner tube, i.e. about PLN 35-45 (depending on its diameter and width as well as the type of valve), our opinion is definitely positive and we say that it is worth buying, but you cannot count on it protecting you always either with cheap or very old tires. Therefore, it is also worth investing in tires that are more important, choosing those with the greatest durability and puncture resistance (we also describe and recommend different tires on this blog: outstanding tires on our blog ).

In addition, more competitive riders may consider alternatives such as a tubeless system or a slightly different non-puncture tube from the manufacturer FOSS. We list them here as currently the best alternatives to the ones described above, but we don't recommend them for infrequent riders. A tubeless system, apart from the potential difficulties of its installation, requires topping up and pumping when the bike is used infrequently or in dry and hot conditions, when it can also create more serious problems such as having to reinstall almost the entire system. A well-known manufacturer here is WTB. On the other hand, FOSS impenetrable inner tubes, unlike Michelin, will not patch themselves when a foreign body comes out of it - in this case the air will come off as quickly as with an ordinary inner tube and we will have to walk the bike home (it will also not help to get rid of the manufacturer's praised holes with a lighter, as you won't find holes without a good amount of water due to the properties of the FOSS tube material).

Final note: In this article, we could only rely on the opinions of others, our long experience with Michelin Protek Max inner tubes and many similar articles we found on the internet.

The following can be purchased on Amazon:

- Michelin Protek Max on AMAZON:

All Protek Max tubes on Amazon

- Tubeless tires on AMAZON:

26" TUBELESS TIRES ON AMAZON

28" TUBELESS TIRES ON AMAZON

Or read more about the tubeless system:

- https://austin.mellowjohnnys.com/the-latest/the-benefits-of-going-tubeless