eja_ bottecchia

Much has been written in the butyl vs. latex ongoin debate.

Now it seems that Fulcrum has come down against the use of latex inner tubes.

I have Fulcrum Racing Zero Ltd. Ed. on my C59. I have Fulcrum Racing Zero Nites on the C60.

Just today I was going through the manual for the Nites (I almost never read the owner’s manual).

While reading through I saw a warning not to use latex tubes because of the risk of overheating causing the tube to blow out.

The manual is both for Fulcrum aluminum and carbon wheels. The warning, however, is not specific to one material or the other.

I have used Fulcrum Racing Zeros, together with latex inner tubes, for a very long time and never had a problem.

I am going to check with my mechanic, but in the meantime, what do you all think?

Andrew R Stewart 

I suspect that the ban is more about controlling liability exposure then any actual mechanical reason. Andy

Marcus_Ti

Yea....reading Campagnolo documentation is pretty funny WRT "safety" real or imagined. Pretty much every single instruction is followed with "failure to do this may result in death or injury" or some similar formula.

3alarmer 

General Properties of Elastomers.doc

...read it yourself and make up your own mind. Natural rubber (AKA latex) does have a narrower heat working range than butyl. For most of us, it makes no difference. Until that one time it does make a difference.

eja_ bottecchia

Thanks, that was an interesting read.

Latex inner tubes are more comfortable and puncture resistant than butyl...I think the article that you linked supports that.

But I’d hate to have a blow out while bombing it down Potrero Rd.

FiftySix

I wonder if a side issue is people with latex allergies handling latex tubes?

Latex seems to be the latest substance that people in 1st world countries aren't supposed to handle.

TimothyH

For those concerned about latex, Continental Supersonic tubes are butyl but just about as light as latex.




Continental Race Light are the next step down - heavier than latex or the Supersonic tubes but not quite as heavy as a full thickness butyl tube. This is a nice compromise and I use these with Vittoria Rubino G+ Speed for a light, responsive setup that doesn't get flats on the north Georgia roads.




As for alergies, my daughter developed a latex alergy working in a restaurant. It is real.


-Tim-

FiftySix

Same with my stepson and wife. In their case it happens from wearing latex gloves too long and their skin on their hands get blotchy.

Good thing for Nitrile and all the other options.

squirtdad

fwiw I got a deal with Vittoria Corsa g and latex tubes..

the latex tubes were a bit of a pain to install.... very supple and wanted to pop out, but install looked fine



about 60 miles laster the front tube exploded....Pow, big rip in tube, blew the tire bead of off the rim. I was going super slow so it was not a problem, but it would not have been pretty at speed.

not sure what happened running at 115 psi, nothing poky in the tire, best guess is possible nick/pinch in tire from install or defect

anyway that spooked me so I am running these now https://biketubebrand.com/road-tubes...rformance-tube there are maybe 10 grams heavier than the latex and I can feel any ride difference.....but they do hold air a ton better

TimothyH

Butane!!!???

63rickert

Do not leave your latex tube in a closed black car parked in sun.

Do not use on 5000 foot descents on a rim brake tandem with a trailer.

Next time you do a big descent feel your rims at the bottom. How hot are they? If you drag your brakes all the way down they are hot. If you fly downhill where only MTBs used to go but you have learned how to do it on CX or gravel they could be hot. If you ride that way you've probably had trouble before. If your rim is cool or just a bit warm enjoy your latex tubes.

Iride01 

I was all set to agree that it's CYA on their part till I read @63ricket 's post.

I think that latex tubes lack of heat resistance probably is the big reason. Midway down this article at Cycling Weekly they mention the same.

Albeit it is CYA as there is no rule, regulation or law that says we as individuals have to follow the mfrs. recommendation.

79pmooney

I read 63ricket's and Iride01's posts and thought "wait a minute. Pros have been doing those descents on latex tubes for over 100 years. Yes blowouts from too much pressure is a real issue. So is melted glue. But I never heard of those latex tubes failing from heat. Then I realized that because they were all riding tubulars the latex had a thick layer of cloth between it and the heated rim. With clincher and tubeless, the latex is directly in contact with the rim itself.

Ben

srode1

Lot's of wheel manufacturers warn against using latex tubes with carbon fiber wheels. I use them on my Enve's for a few years, but I am not doing any hard braking for extended periods. If I lived in a very hilly area with long descents requiring heavy braking I wouldn't use them. But also, if I was doing those types of descents I would not be using carbon fiber wheels either.

63rickert

Yes, the tube is probably in direct contact with rim. Depends a little on how bead fits and how rim is taped. Problems can definitely occur and if you want to ignore Fulcrum's advice you should pay attention. I can remember getting my rims very hot when there was no way to pass logging trucks. Melting glue happens, just not all that often, and when it does it is most likely from dragging brakes. Which is fine, Federico Bahamontes used to drag his brakes and would even drag his foot. While winning KoM in TdF. If your descending style or terrain leads to overheated rims take a break and let them cool off. Find a spot to pause and enjoy the view.

The person most at risk is the person nervously descending slow while dragging the brake. That rider has enough to worry about already. So take a break and let the rims cool. And if butyl tubes make you feel better by all means use butyl tubes.

sch

Rim heat with braking is REALLY noticeable on tandems. Ours routinely got too hot to touch with braking to a halt down a 1/4 mile
40' drop to my house. My solo bike rims get warm but never too hot to touch.

Over heating mention reminded me of Beloki's crash in the 2003 TdeF in front of Armstrong. Attributed to hot "melted tarmac"
it was more likely melted glue and tubular rolloff on a long brutal descent. "Melted tarmac" would so rapidly adhere to tires
as to be obvious with the gravel pickup. Had that happen once back in the '70s when we inadvertently came across a tar and
gravel crew. Took an hour to clean off the tires...... As to Beloki, my recall of a few seconds video of the crash is of seeing the
front tire clearly off the rim and still inflated.

noglider 

With tubeless, there is no tube, so there is no latex against the rim. Or did you mean to say something else?

greatscott

I disagree that latex tubes are more flat resistant than butyl, sure latex is more flexible when NOT inflated, but once you have 100 psi or so in the tube all that flexibility is gone and whats left is a very thin tube that is very taut that anything that makes it through the tire will puncture it very quickly.

big chainring 

Sy Reene

I wonder if it's a fulcrum thing moreso because there's no tape in these rims? So it would be the latex directly against the rim bed. Not sure why this would matter but just a thought.

eja_ bottecchia

You may be on to something. I run Ambrosio Excellence rims on my Bottecchia and Master and never had an issue/ Those rims use rim tape, the Fulcrums do not.