bonsai171

Hi,

I went flat on my road bike today, and have been thinking about trying either lightweight tubes or latex tubes. Been running pretty much whatever tube I can find in 700X25 for the last couple of years, and figured it was time to try something different. I have heard latex tubes are supple and are very lightweight, are they worth the $$? The cheapest i've seen them is $15 a tube.

Dave

rubiksoval

Latex tubes have substantially less rolling resistance. Probably the biggest bang for the buck speed wise you can buy (along with tires).

With that said, if you get them, you should read up very carefully about how to install them. And should very likely replace your rim strips with tubeless tape.

HTupolev

Look harder.

Superior color and superior acoustics. A decided aesthetic advantage. The most best.

datlas 

bonsai171

Why did you need to install tubeless tape?

Dave

Litespud

I used latex a couple of times, for a couple of years each time, and eventually went back to butyls each time. I think my latex adventures are over (hm, that sounds dodger than it's supposed to )
Pluses:
Lighter than butyl
A noticeably smoother, more supple ride, although IMO you need a good high-TPI tire like an Open Corsa to take full advantage of this
Supposedly more puncture resistant, as the tube yields to intrusions, rather than the intrusion penetrating - I never noticed and significant difference in flat frequency - see below
Negatives:
A PITA to install - requires some talc, and the thin flexible tube is easily pinched - I carried a standard butyl tube for on-the-road flats - I can't imagine trying to install a latex by the roadside - others may have better luck
Despite a rep for puncture resistance, in my experience, several latexes just flatted JRA, with no obvious cause. It was this last characteristic that drove me back to butyls. FWIW, I used Vittorias - other brands might be better
Latexes leak air, requiring significant topping up before rides. I top up each time anyway, but it's pretty convenient, with butyls, to find that almost no topping up is required.

dorkypants

I used latex tubes for a while and went back to butyl tubes. Latex performs better, but while I don't mind giving away an inexpensive butyl tube to a fellow cyclist who needs a spare tube, latex is pricy to do that with.

DrIsotope

For those living at that nexus of still using tubes and still chasing grams, who has ventured into the other tubes, like Tubolito? They make even lightweight latex seem downright porky: a Vittoria Latex 700x19-23 is 70g, while a Tubolito in the same size is 38g. In their tests, the rolling resistance for a 700x25 is better than latex up to about 115psi-- the lower the pressure, the bigger the difference in watts. I have no dog in the fight one way or the other, it's all tubeless here. Curious nonetheless.

fietsbob

& Butyl is easier to get a good patch with a normal patch kit..

HTupolev

Not really. Latex rubber patches extremely easily, and one busted latex tube provides latex patch material for many years.

MidTNBrad

probikekit.com has Vittoria latex on sale right now for $8.49. I picked up a few a week ago because I haven't tried latex and figured for that price I'd give it a shot.

bonsai171

Saw that deal too, but hesitated because they are located in the UK, and I live in the states. Have you ordered from them? How is the shipping cost?

Dave

MidTNBrad

I don't remember exactly but standard shipping was reasonable. It did take over a week for for the package to arrive over here in the states.

TimothyH

Also try Continental Supersonic.

They are butyl but lighter than latex. 52 grams each. $9.99 at Chain Reaction.

https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/...e/rp-prod18914

Like latex, one needs to pay attention to rim tape. I've had issues using Continental Rim Strips which have a sharp edge. I went back to traditional Velox Fond de Jante tape and they not punctured since.

eja_ bottecchia

eja_ bottecchia

raria

Why? So when you're changing your tire after a flat someone can say oh look he's got latex tubes?

wphamilton

I'll add my opinion, though I've posted it a couple of times already. For the "significant" improvement of rolling resistance - I've seen 4 watts per tire claimed and more common is 1.5-2 watts per - Latex would be worth the price and hassle BUT ... the faster air leak is a deal killer all by itself. The MAIN thing I want from any tube is "hold air" and Latex tubes don't.

So my verdict is "no", I'll even take the thick heavy cheap tubes over Latex.

TrojanHorse

I tried latex back in the 90s and gave up on it. I don't care, my least favorite thing to do is fix a flat on the side of the road and latex made that much more likely IMO.

HTupolev

No. It's so that when you're fixing a flat, everyone - including yourself - can appreciate the vibrancy added to the experience by the lively colors and supple texture of the inner tubes. And more importantly, it's so that even when you cannot see those vibrant colors, you know that they're there.

pvillemasher

Pride of ownership is HUGE with these things

AlmostTrick

Good point. I have to wonder if all that topping off is hard on the valve to tube joint, increasing the chance of failure there. Then too, if you don't ride/top off for several days, the tubes will be completely flat, which doesn't seem good for the tires to be sitting there like that.


Has anyone ever used a latex tube for years and years without failure... you know, like can be done with standard tubes?

rubiksoval

So you don't flat the latex. Rim tape can very easily cut the tube.

rubiksoval

I've had two race wheels with the same tube for just shy of two years/seasons.

My latex tubes also have removable valve cores. I've refilled with sealant on my training wheels and the tube has been good as new. Also helps for adding valve extenders.

TimothyH

Continental Race Lite tubes + light, supple tires.

Replace your tires before they are 100% worn out.

Done.


-Tim-