Schwalbe Aerothan Tubes with Aluminum Valve and Clik in Review
17.06.25 10:05 12025-06-17T10:05:00+02:00Text: NoPain (translated by AI)Photos: Erwin HaidenTPU meets Clik: Ultra-hard practical test of Schwalbe's premium tubes of the second generation on gravel and road bikes.17.06.25 10:05 4162025-06-17T10:05:00+02:00Schwalbe Aerothan Tubes with Aluminum Valve and Clik in Review
17.06.25 10:05 4162025-06-17T10:05:00+02:00 NoPain (translated by AI) Erwin HaidenTPU meets Clik: Ultra-hard practical test of Schwalbe's premium tubes of the second generation on gravel and road bikes.17.06.25 10:05 4162025-06-17T10:05:00+02:00
Four years after their joint development with BASF, the Swabians are sending their Aerothan tubes into the next stage of evolution. The proven thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) remains untouched – but significant improvements have been made to the valve stem: Instead of plastic, aluminum with an external thread is now used. This not only provides additional stability but also makes handling easier during installation, removal, and pressure control.
On top of that, there’s a significant improvement in compatibility: The new Aerothans are now fully compatible with the Schwalbe Clik Valve, the Schwalbe Airmax Smart Bike Sensor, the Bosch Speed Sensor, and all pumps.
The proven strengths remain unchanged, of course: low weight, high puncture resistance, a ride feel close to a tubeless setup, and compact pack size.
Thanks to our good connection to the Schwalbe development lab, we were able to test the new Aerothan tubes with aluminum stem over several months on road bikes and gravel bikes with Clik valves.
The new Aerothan tubes with aluminum stems are expected to be available in stores starting in fall 2025.
Aerothan is nothing without Clik.
Sounds strange, but it’s true!
About Aerothan
With thermoplastic polyurethane called Aerothan, Schwalbe declared war on the classic bicycle tube a few years ago – without rubber, but completely recyclable and “Made in Germany.” The promises back then sounded as ambitious as they do today: Extremely low weight, high stability and heat resistance, low rolling resistance, and puncture protection that is said to rival some tubeless setups.
In fact, our road bike version in 23/32-622 with an aluminum valve stem weighs only 51 grams, while the gravel tire counterpart in 33/47-622 weighs 62 grams. This makes them lighter than most extra-light butyl tubes or tubeless setups with heavy TLR tires – possibly an additional argument for some weight weenies.
And that's not all: Despite the lightweight construction, the Aerothan tubes are said to excel with properties like high elasticity, massive tensile strength, impressive damping, and remarkable heat resistance. What initially sounded like a marketing extravaganza has now been confirmed in tough real-world tests. At least most of it – aluminum valve stem and Clik compatibility included.
Under review
In the Plunger Test, which simulates the penetration of a sharp object, Aerothan demonstrates impressive resistance with a force of 47 Newtons, making it more than twice as resistant as other materials. Even in the Snakebite Test with a guillotine, the Aerothan tube withstands significantly higher stresses compared to models made of butyl or latex.
Particularly interesting for owners of road bikes with rim brakes: Tested at over 150° C and at 78 km/h, the material also proves to be excellent in terms of heat resistance.
The high dimensional stability brings additional advantages: In the event of damage, Aerothan tubes do not burst explosively but lose air more gradually. At the same time, the ride quality remains surprisingly stable even at low air pressure – making snakebites and the dreaded burping much less of a concern.
Combined with the low rolling resistance, which according to Schwalbe's test bench measurements is on par with latex, Aerothan not only competes with butyl & co. – even die-hard tubeless fans might start to reconsider.
In production
Even the highest-quality tube material is of little use if the manufacturing quality is not up to standard. Weight, stability, and puncture protection can only fully deliver their potential if the tube is produced with minimal manufacturing tolerances and consistently high quality.
This is precisely why Schwalbe manufactures every Aerothan tube using the blown film extrusion process as an endless tube, which is cut to length in Germany (Reichshof, NRW) and fully automatically welded in a patented process. The centerpiece: a high-precision laser that seamlessly connects the tube body and valve. The resulting flat weld seams not only ensure smooth riding behavior but also provide increased puncture safety.
Despite all the manufacturing precision, Aerothan remains a flexible material, which is why Schwalbe specifies a possible weight tolerance of ±5%.
Made in Germany - also for the sake of the environment
However, in-house production is not just for quality reasons. When it comes to sustainability, Schwalbe consistently follows through with the concept: Together with its partner companies, the family-owned business recycles old tires and feeds the raw materials obtained from them into Aerothan production. This results in a proportion of circular materials of 91 percent, while maintaining consistently high quality and robustness.
Recycling with a system (by Schwalbe and BASF)
For the production of Aerothan tubes, Schwalbe sources TPU material (thermoplastic polyurethane) from BASF's ChemCycling® program. This is a project for chemical recycling aimed at producing high-quality products from plastic waste on an industrial scale. As part of this process, BASF uses pyrolysis oil derived from Schwalbe's own tire recycling.
The pyrolysis oil is obtained from used tires by Pyrum Innovations AG and is fed into BASF's production at the very beginning as a substitute for fossil raw materials in TPU manufacturing. The allocation of recycled raw materials is done through a mass balance approach, ensuring that the amounts of fossil resources needed for the Aerothan tube are replaced by certified Ccycled® TPU.
Schwalbe's own recycling system – in collaboration with Pyrum in Saarland – also makes a significant contribution to sustainable reuse. The recycling process produces three usable raw materials: First, the resulting pyrolysis gas is used in the plant for electricity generation, with the extracted process heat supporting the recycling process, leading to energy-efficient operations. Second, the pyrolysis oil is delivered to BASF, where it replaces fossil raw materials and contributes to TPU production for Aerothan. Third, recovered carbon black (rCB) is created, which replaces conventional industrial carbon black in the production of new Schwalbe products – now used in over 70% of all tire models.
In short: The Aerothan is not only lightweight, durable, and puncture-proof but also a true showcase of circular production.
Aerothan specifications and dimensions
As before, Schwalbe produces the new Aerothan tubes at its headquarters in Reichshof. They are expected to be available in stores from autumn 2025. A total of 39 variants are available.
Aerothan Tube 2.0 Variants
| Wheel | Dimension | Version | Valve* | Clik | Valve Length | Designation** | Weight |
| 16'' | 33/47-349 | Foldable Bikes | SV-Alu | 40 mm | SV4-AE | 37 g | |
| 33/47-406 | BMX/Cargo | SV-Alu | 40 mm | SV5-AE | 42 g | ||
| 20'' | 47/65-406 | BMX/Cargo | SV-Alu | 40 mm | SV6-AE | 66 g | |
| 23/32-451 | BMX | SV-Alu | 40 mm | SV-7AE | 39 g | ||
| 24'' | 47/65-507 | MTB | SV-Alu | 40 mm | SV10-AE | 77 g | |
| 26'' | 47/65-559 | MTB | SV-Alu | 40 mm | SV13-AE | 82 g | |
| 27.5'' | 47/65-584 | MTB | SV-Alu | 40 mm | SV14-AE | 84 g | |
| 47/65-584 | MTB | SCV-Alu | x | 40 mm | SCV14AE | 84 g | |
| 65/75-584 | MTB | SV-Alu | 40 mm | SV14L-AE | 111 g | ||
| 65/75-584 | MTB | SCV-Alu | x | 40 mm | SCV14L-AE | 111g | |
| 28'' | 23/32-622 | Road | SV-Alu | 40 mm | SV15-AE | 50 g | |
| 23/32-622 | Road | SCV-Alu | x | 40 mm | SCV15-AE | 50 g | |
| 23/32-622 | Road | SV-Alu | 60 mm | SV15-AE | 51 g | ||
| 23/32-622 | Road | SCV-Alu | x | 60 mm | SCV15-AE | 51 g | |
| 23/32-622 | Road | SV-Alu | 80 mm | SV15-AE | 52 g | ||
| 23/32-622 | Road | SCV-Alu | x | 80 mm | SCV15-AE | 52 g | |
| 23/32-622 | Road | SV-TPU | 100 mm | SV15-AE | 51 g | ||
| 33/47-622 | Gravel/Allroad | SV-Alu | 40 mm | SV17-AE | 58 g | ||
| 33/47-622 | Gravel/Allroad | SCV-Alu | x | 40 mm | SCV17-AE | 58 g | |
| 33/47-622 | Gravel/Allroad | SV-Alu | 60 mm | SV17-AE | 60 g | ||
| 33/47-622 | Gravel/Allroad | SCV-Alu | x | 60 mm | SCV17-AE | 60 g | |
| 33/47-622 | Gravel/Allroad | SV-Alu | 80 mm | SV17-AE | 61 g | ||
| 33/47-622 | Gravel/Allroad | SCV-Alu | x | 80 mm | SCV17-AE | 61 g | |
| 29'' | 47/65-622 | MTB | SV-Alu | 40 mm | SV19-AE | 88 g | |
| 47/65-622 | MTB | SCV-Alu | x | 40 mm | SCV19-AE | 88 g | |
| 47/65-622 | MTB | SV-Alu | 60 mm | SV19-AE | 90 g | ||
| 65/75-622 | MTB | SV-Alu | 40 mm | SV19L-AE | 125 g |
* SV = Sclaverand valve; SVC = Clik valve
** The availability of the new Aerothan tubes starts in fall 2025.
Workshop: Gravel and Road Bike
For our practical test, we chose two Aerothan tubes for 28" wheels with gravel tires 33 to 47 mm wide, as well as two others for road bike tires 23 to 32 mm wide.
The weight specifications matched the manufacturer's details: The gravel tube, including the aluminum shaft and Clik valve, weighed only 62 grams - roughly equivalent to 60 ml of sealant plus a 5-gram TLR valve.
Mounting them on the brand-new gravel wheels was almost ridiculously easy. It was the same for the used road bike wheels. However, we had to clean them thoroughly, as they had been used tubeless before.
Tips & Tricks for Aerothan installation
• Only mount Aerothan tubes with tires of the appropriate size.
• Check the valve hole drilling of the rim being used; mounting is only allowed for holes up to Ø 6.5 mm (SV).
• Aerothan tubes must not come into prolonged contact with tubeless sealant.
• Thoroughly clean the tire and rim before mounting.
• Always use a suitable rim tape for spoke/nipple holes.
• Do not twist the valve during the first inflation.
• Inflate the Aerothan tube to a maximum of 0.3 bar for mounting! Higher pressure in an unmounted state can lead to deformation and damage.
• Generously apply Schwalbe's Easy Fit mounting fluid to the tire bead using the sponge applicator. The tire can be seated more easily over the rim flange, and the tire bead slides precisely into the correct position even with low pressure. The fluid evaporates completely after about 10 minutes.
• The tube should not wrinkle and must not be pinched between the rim and the tire.
• Do not overinflate the tube to align the tire bead (always observe the maximum pressure of the tire or rim).
• Re-mounting the Aerothan tube is possible, but only with the same or a larger tire dimension.
Installation in the DT Swiss ERC 1100 wheels
On the road bike, the installation was similarly straightforward: tubes slightly inflated and inserted, the Pro One "Tube Type" tire wrestled on with gentle force – done. Ready to go.
The "optimal" tire pressure
Regarding tire pressure, you can confidently refer to tubeless values, as Aerothan also provides full puncture protection at similarly low pressures. For maximum pressure, the rule is: the lower value of the rim or tire is always decisive.
In terms of air pressure stability, the Aerothan tubes are roughly on par with thick butyl tubes – at least that was the case with our road and gravel setups.
For our Aerothan practical test on the gravel bike, NoPain chose the DT Swiss GRC 1100 DICUT 50 wheels with a 24 mm inner width as well as the new Schwalbe G-One R TLR in 40C. The tubes were inflated to 1.85 bar at the front and 2.0 bar at the rear, which are exactly the same pressures he would use with a tubeless setup with 40C tires.
For your information: Schwalbe calculated a tire pressure of 1.75 bar at the front and 1.9 bar at the rear for NoPain's weight and the tire model in 45C width. We adjusted the values upward by approximately five percent due to the narrower test tires.
1.85 bar front and 2.0 bar rear
At a weight of 70kg with the DT Swiss GRC 1100 DICUT 50 wheels and the new Schwalbe G-One R TLR in 40CHandling & Performance Aerothan vs. Tubeless
Aerothan vs. Tubeless
If you believe the lab values, Schwalbe's Aerothan tube offers a whole range of convincing arguments: high puncture resistance, low weight, minimal rolling resistance, strong heat resistance, and stable riding characteristics - even at low air pressure. Only the comparatively high price continues to favor classic butyl or latex tubes.
Since Aerothan is technically and dynamically on par with tubeless systems in many aspects, the question for us is less whether it is the better tube, but rather whether it should already be considered a serious high-end alternative to tubeless.
Handling Aerothan vs. TLR
| Aerothan Tube | Tubeless TLR/UST | |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of Installation vs. | Easy installation without slipping, pinching, or messy sealant. | Depending on the compatibility of individual components, everything from easy to impossible is possible. |
| Frequent Tire Changes vs. | Reinstalling the Aerothan tube is possible but only with the same or larger tire dimensions. | Possible without limits and effortlessly; however, rarely without mess due to the sealant. |
| Compatibility vs. | Aerothan tubes should only be installed with tires of the correct size! Tolerances of tire bead and rim hook are not very significant. | Optimal functionality is only guaranteed with low tolerances. Avoid mixing "tube type only" components with tubeless. However, tire width generally doesn’t matter for the sealant. |
| Rim Tape vs. | Use suitable rim tape for spoke/nipple holes. | High-quality, pressure-resistant rim tape of the correct width. |
| Valve vs. | Install cleanly at a 90° angle without twisting. | High-quality, rim-compatible, twist-proof valve mounted precisely and optimally. |
| Tire Width vs. | Suitable for all tire widths from 23mm, but the tube must always match the correct dimensions. | The wider, the better. Slightly problematic with very narrow tires due to the low maximum pressure for heavy riders. |
| Weight of Rider/Bike vs. | Suitable for any system weight. | Wide range. Due to the low maximum pressure, not always recommended for very heavy riders. |
| Tire Pressure vs. | For any tire pressure between the minimum (tire) and the maximum (tire/rim). | Optimal functionality in the sweet spot. Burping at very low pressure, poor sealing in case of punctures, and tires jumping off the rim at very high pressure. |
| Air Retention vs. | Aerothan tubes retain air better than latex or tubeless. However, the thinner the tube and the higher the tire pressure, the more often you’ll need to pump. | Good air pressure stability over long periods with wide MTB tires that have high volume and low pressure. Frequent pumping required for road tubeless. Prerequisite: always enough fresh sealant and good compatibility. |
| Sealant Type vs. | No sealant required and not allowed. Thoroughly clean tires and rims when switching from tubeless to Aerothan. | A sealant with a mix of differently sized and elastic particles with only a small amount of water would be ideal for most applications. |
| Sealant Status vs. | No sealant required and not allowed. | Always ensure sufficient fresh sealant is added. |
| Tire Sealing vs. | Not relevant. | The tighter the sidewall, carcass, and bead, the better. |
| Rim Brakes vs. | Aerothan is extremely heat-resistant. | Sealing may decrease at high temperatures, and the tire could jump off the rim in the worst case. |
Performance Aerothan vs. TLR
| Aerothan vs. TLR | Properties | |
| Handling | vs. | When it comes to user-friendliness, Aerothan tubes are clearly ahead: they are easier to install, simpler to patch in case of a puncture, and require less ongoing maintenance—no need to refill sealant and less frequent pumping. Additionally: There are still wheels that are either not suitable for tubeless systems or only compatible to a limited extent. |
| Rolling Resistance | vs. | Aerothan tubes roll noticeably more easily than traditional butyl models. Compared to tubeless setups or latex tubes, their rolling resistance is only minimally worse. |
| Weight | vs. | Compared to butyl and latex tubes, Aerothan stands out with a clear weight advantage. In terms of total weight, Aerothan setups are roughly on par with tubeless systems. Those using "tube type only" tires can save a few extra grams, and a thinner rim tape winding is sufficient. |
| Comfort, Grip, and Traction | vs. | Since Aerothan allows the same pressures to be used as with tubeless, its riding characteristics are on a similarly high level. The slight, almost imperceptible loss in compliance is offset by increased stability during cornering. |
| Puncture Protection | vs. | With Aerothan tubes, both narrow and wide tires can be ridden at very low or maximum pressure with only a low risk of pinch flats or tires coming off. On paper, Aerothan brings puncture protection to the same level as tubeless. However, unlike tubeless, Aerothan tubes lack the "self-healing" property, as tubeless sealant is usually capable of sealing holes and tiny cracks within seconds. Using latex-based sealant in TPU tubes is not recommended due to chemical incompatibility. |
| In Case of a Puncture | vs. | In the event of a puncture, Aerothan tubes can be treated the same way as butyl: either repair with patches or replace the tube. The use of puncture sprays in TPU tubes is ineffective and not recommended due to chemical incompatibility. Although tubeless systems can self-seal small holes, every sealant eventually reaches its limits. For emergencies, there are special repair kits for tubeless tires, or a replacement tube can be installed on the spot. However, regardless of the method chosen, it almost always results in a mess. |
| On a Road Bike | vs. | A high-quality tube-type folding tire with an Aerothan tube would, in our opinion, be the best choice for pragmatists, occasional riders, and tubeless skeptics who value good performance. Quick to install, easy rolling, and in case of a puncture, the tube is quickly replaced. Only those looking to extract the last watt of rolling resistance, seeking absolute suppleness, or unwilling to stop in case of a defect should opt for road tubeless. |
| On a Gravel Bike | vs. | A close head-to-head race with tubeless. Gravel bikes, with their wide tires and disc brakes, represent the optimal application for well-functioning tubeless systems. Those who want to avoid the hassle during installation or in case of a puncture should opt for Aerothan; those seeking maximum puncture protection are better off sticking with tubeless. |
| On a Mountain Bike | vs. | Tubeless has been well-established on mountain bikes for many years. For ambitious hobby riders and racers, the tubeless setup remains the best choice in most cases. However, those who ride with high air pressure due to their body weight, tend to experience burping at low pressure, ride only occasionally, rarely change tires, or don’t want to constantly pump up tires and check sealant will still find Aerothan tubes a sensible alternative. |
In practice
I switched from tubeless with DT Swiss GRC 1100 Dicut 30 and G-One R in 40C directly to this Aerothan setup with GRC 50 wheels and the same but brand-new tires. At least on gravel and softer surfaces, I’d have to lie if I claimed to notice a significant difference in rolling behavior, traction, or grip compared to tubeless. Comfort was, of course, slightly reduced, which I primarily attribute to the somewhat stiffer wheels with their higher rim profiles and shorter spokes. On the other hand, the gravel bike delighted me with better aerodynamics on flat sections and actually – even if it’s hard to believe – noticeably reduced susceptibility to crosswinds. Taking hands-free photos in wind force 6? No problem. With the GRC 30, the front wheel was significantly more jittery under similar conditions.
On asphalt or particularly firm surfaces, the tires with the Aerothan tubes rolled a bit crisper and louder and offered slightly more lateral support in fast corners when riding assertively, compared to the more elastic tubeless variant.
Interim conclusion #1: Better, because faster riding characteristics compared to butyl, and overall roughly on par with latex or tubeless. My previous assessment hasn’t changed even with Aerothan 2.0.
Puncture protection
When it comes to puncture protection and durability, I wanted to get to the bottom of it this time. So, I went on countless training rides on my well-proven test routes around the Schönberg Runde 01, which I've been riding several times a week for over 10 years.
At the beginning of the test, the terrain was still loose and damp due to seasonal and weather conditions, but over time it became increasingly dry, firmer, and thus faster. At some point, I hammered the gravel bike over gravel and trails at the same speed as the previous year with tubeless. The result was several hefty impacts, both front and rear. And yet: no air loss, no flats, no damage to the tires or rims.
With each ride, my confidence in the Aerothan Tubes grew. So much so that I even dared to take on the Schönberg Runde 02 twice - including the rough descent from the Kamptal Klassik. Snakebite? Not a chance. Even here, the tubes remained completely unimpressed.
Interim conclusion #2: The puncture protection, with my riding style, is on par with tubeless. Despite several significant impacts, I had no defects and could not identify any disadvantages compared to TLR.
Puncture protection: Top
Puncture protection
Are the Aerothan tubes really indestructible? Unfortunately not - as a brief "detour" over a rather overgrown hiking trail filled with plenty of thorns showed. The result: a double K.O. on both the front and rear. A small thorn had made itself comfortable in both the front and rear tires.
Damage #1: On the rear, the flat tire announced itself shortly after the passage with a slow leak. Stop, remove the tube, take out the thorn, insert the spare tube, and roll on.
Damage #2: On the front, it took a little longer for the small wooden culprit (see photos) to work its way through the Aerothan skin. Since I couldn’t locate the thorn while on the go, the Aerothan tube was replaced with a thick, heavy butyl spare tube.
Tip for reflection: Even though Aerothan or TPU tubes perform more than twice as well as standard tubes in puncture tests, inexpensive butyl tubes with triple or quadruple wall thickness are often more robust against punctures.
This raises the question of whether a super-light, itzy-bitzy spare tube really makes sense in an emergency – especially when the culprit cannot be found due to its tiny size.
Positive: In both cases, the tubes lost air only slowly. This gave me enough time to come to a controlled stop – without a pinch flat or burping. Less pleasant: Finding the hole in Aerothan is quite tricky, and self-adhesive patches are only a reliable solution if they are applied correctly. This means: clean fingers, degreased tube, precise application – and no dirt between the tube and the adhesive surface. For those who want to play it safe on the go, it’s better to pack a classic butyl spare tire and take care of the repair at home in peace.
Repair & Sustainability: At home, the holes were quickly found in a water bath, marked, and repaired with TPU patches along with Rema Tip-Top Cement Camplast. Both tubes have been running smoothly ever since.
Interim conclusion #3: As impressive as the Aerothan tubes perform in the puncture test in the lab – in practice, sometimes even a poorly placed thorn is enough to cause a total failure. Those who regularly ride in thorn-rich areas are simply better off with tubeless and a classic butyl spare tube. Both can withstand more, even if you don’t immediately realize something is stuck in the tire.
Puncture protection: Depending on
Conclusion
| Schwalbe Aerothan Clik Tubes | |
|---|---|
| Model year: | 2025 |
| Test duration: | Three months |
| + | Compatibility (Clik) |
| + | Easy handling |
| + | Low weight |
| + | Minimal rolling resistance |
| + | Wide pressure range |
| + | Stable riding behavior |
| + | Durability (aluminum valve) |
| + | Protection against pinch flats |
| o | Souplesse |
| o | Protection against punctures |
| - | More expensive than butyl and latex |
| BB verdict: | Light, stable, and sleek – now with the new Clik. |
Compared to their counterparts made of butyl or latex, Schwalbe's Aerothan tubes – apart from the initial price – are still far superior. Thanks to their enormous shape stability, they can be ridden with similarly low air pressures as with tubeless systems, offer comparable protection against pinch flats, and are roughly on the same level as butyl in terms of air pressure stability. Frequent pumping, as is known with latex or tubeless systems, is not an issue here.
The new aluminum valve with external threading not only brings more stability but also noticeably simplifies mounting, dismounting, and pressure control. Additionally, the new Aerothan tubes are now also compatible with the Schwalbe Clik Valve – for us, this is clearly the biggest advantage.
Schwalbe's Clik or SCV system works excellently in practice. Especially attaching and detaching the pump head is significantly easier. The adapter has the same diameter as a car valve and thus fits most common pumps. Those who already use an SV pump with a plug-in mechanism can continue using it without the adapter and still benefit from some advantages: such as airtight attachment without audible hissing. However, a distinct "click" is only achieved with the adapter, and the precise air pressure display only works with the SCV system.
For road bikes, the matter is clear to me: Aerothan beats road tubeless. In terms of rolling resistance, the Aerothan tubes are roughly on par but offer significant advantages in handling and in case of a flat. They have also proven themselves absolutely durable over the past few years.
However, the situation is different when it comes to gravel bikes or MTBs. Here, it must be weighed on a case-by-case basis whether Aerothan is a suitable replacement for tubeless without restrictions. The individual requirements are too varied – whether in terms of material compatibility, rider weight, air pressure, riding style, or local conditions (keyword: thorn hell).
On the other hand, the Aerothan tube is more than just a viable alternative for normal training rides or relaxed Sunday rides on the gravel bike. For bikepacking trips or gravel races, the situation is somewhat different – here, a well-tuned tubeless setup remains my first choice. The same applies to regions with a lot of thorny undergrowth.
The new Aerothan tubes with aluminum shaft are expected to be available in stores from fall 2025.
- Bookmark
