jsk

If it's a loud/violent puncture, it's almost guaranteed to be an installation issue, as tetonrider said. Either a little bit of tube got pinched under the tire bead, or you've got an iffy rim strip and the tube creeped under it. Latex is much softer/stretchy, and can get into crevices that a butyl tube would not. But that soft/stretchy quality is also what makes the tubes faster and more supple than butyl, so it's a trade-off.

If correctly installed, latex tubes are awesome. They're actually more puncture resistant than butyl due to that stretch. Frankly I can't see racing on butyl, you're talking about roughly a 3 watt difference in rolling resistance per tire. Given all the other marginal gains that racers chase, this one's a no-brainer.

I've found it best to start opposite the valve stem when rolling the tire back on the rim. Finishing at the stem it seems to help keep the tube inside the tire a little better. It just takes a little practice. Tetonriders tip for pressing in the sidewall all the way around to look for pinched tube is a good idea also. And if you have the old-style nylon rim strips, replace them with tubeless rim tape (better seal over the rim bed, and also thinner which can ease installation of tight tires a bit).

The 22-23c tube should be fine, they'll stretch plenty to fill a 25c tire up (just pump one up outside a tire to see). That said I can recommend the pink Vittoria Latex tubes which come in a 19-24 or 25-28. I've used both in 25c tires, the 19-24's are a little easier to install.

Doge

Said for years with kiddo - everything matters.

50% of the TTs I see a top 5 place is within 1 sec of another. It all matters.

But for the money ... get good tires 1st, latex tubes second.

tetonrider

just because you said 'for the money'...

i think it is hard to beat latex tubes!

anyway, the stuff is not mutually exclusive. one can get a lighter bike while also losing fat, for example.

revchuck 

I'm still amazed at the local triathletes who don't blink at paying for a new Shiv and/or Zipp wheels but insist on running Gatorskins...even tubulars.

Which tires does the collective mind recommend? I've also been thinking about trying latex tubes and would like to pair them with a nicer set of tires. I work in a Specialized LBS so I have access to their tires plus others. I wouldn't mind trying Turbo Cottons and I've heard you're doing well to get 800 miles from a rear tire with those...but I don't know anyone who's actually running them.

Doge

It is not mutually exclusive, but me being a racer supporter, not a racer, the money/value equation is huge. Of course those elite racers end up with all good stuff and are lean too. As an aside as you mentioned fat, too much muscle can be an issue too.

Kid's school club has 46 members. Many of the kids come from low income, but are athletic (and some too built - chest/biceps, even junior added some pull-up induced mass that I don't see helpful for cycling), so we try to see what reasonable race bikes we can put together to see if they are cut out for this sport. Lots of companies give stuff, and we buy stuff. Shimano 105 works fine, as do alloy frames. It is the wheels and tires where the largest value is in replacing. So after getting the basic bikes (20+) race-able, tires are changed 1st and the "national team" (kids competing in collegiate nationals) will get latex tubes too. I found the Michelin tubes softer and more flexible than others I've used, so the rest get those. There is also a maintenance side to latex only serious cyclist appreciate.


I'm a rec rider, too fat, and I ride latex tubes because they feel better. I notice if a tubular doesn't have them.

Ttoc6

Andy Potts is a world class American triathlete. He showed up to Kona a few years back on a pimped of Cannondale Slice, a great position and all the gear he could need. With Gatorskin tires. It was just the epitome of Triathlon in my eyes.

I run butyl tubes because I don't currently have a set of race wheels for the road bike and it's expensive to be out training (especially here) with latex tubes that could flat. My TT bike has a latex tube in the front trispoke (thanks @tetonrider) and a butyl in the back because I just haven't gone to buy a new latex tube to put in there yet. I should do that before chico.

The cottons get good commendations. I've just stuck to the 25mm conti gp4000s2 for my everything tire. I ran the first version of the corsa G+ when they came out and had good luck with them until the end of their life. My tt bike has an old school narrow GP supersonic and a 23mm corsa Speed.

https://www.bicyclerollingresistance...d-bike-reviews

Ygduf

conti gp4k2 for life.

caloso

Love those tires, but you are right that they don't have the greatest lifespan. Race day only tires, in my experience.

Ygduf

Just not for norcal farm road races either.

TheKillerPenguin

Wisdommmmmmmmmmm

caloso

Specialized is a NorCal company. They're missing a trick here. They could market a thick superheavy tire as VeloPromoProof.

revchuck 

I just ordered three of them in 700x28. Supposedly they’re the “Hell of the North” versions, maybe they’ll wear better than the originals.

caloso

I bet those are like butter. You'll be rolling like a Cadillac.

revchuck 

My Allez Sprint can use the help.

Flatballer

Do they still manufacturer other tires? Why?

Hermes

#metoo

rubiksoval

My go-to.

TheKillerPenguin

#CultOfConti

caloso

#EquipeMichelin

Ttoc6

I was setting up my backup wheels for chico and was debating throwing on some older, already used with a lot of miles conti gps or just leaving the brand new michelin pro4 endurance's that came with the wheels. Think I'm gonna leave the narrower Michelin tires for the sheer fact of better puncture resistance. The idea is I shouldn't have to pull them out of the wheel car, but if I do, I want to make sure the brakes aren't rubbing and I'm not gonna get another flat.

Radish_legs

what do you recommend for full-fingered gloves for racing in the heat of the summer? (road rash mitigation) Maybe like something that the track guys use.

Flatballer

I'm not sure where mine are or I'd go find them, but I have some full finger, I think they're novaro maybe, the back of the fingers are all vented and very thin, the fronts are relatively padded and protected. Good for crits and track. If I find them I'll post the exact brand and name.

Edit:

They're Sugoi, no name on them though. I think they might've been advertised as mountain bike gloves. The fronts are somewhat thick but perforated for air, the backs are more like a mesh. I've worn them on very hot days and they were fine.

mattm

not sure if there are any gloves that can be protective enough and also good for warm weather.. but really I think your palms are 99% of what you need to worry about anyway.

(cue someone’s story about how some guy tore off a fingernail..)

Ttoc6

I ride in the 100% mtb gloves. Decent ventilation, nothing to complain about. I always wear full finger for crits, and either short finger or no gloves for anything longer.

I've wanted to get a pair of the 5-bling gloves that were popular for a while since they're tacky. Could get yourself a set of keirin gloves but that's probably overkill (and hot)

himespau 

I have some pearl izumi elite gloves that are full fingered but fairly decently vented.