Latex tubes - are they worth it?

doyler78
doyler78 Posts: 1,951
edited August 2008 in Workshop
Any recommendations for a good place to buy, ie the cheapest but good quality, if they are worth it.

I know they are more expensive however as I have never punctured I guess they could be worth the extra expense if they are worth fitting at all.

Comments

  • Pirahna
    Pirahna Posts: 1,315
    The ones I've tried are generally heavier than a butyl tube, they leak air and you won't notice any difference when riding. Fixing puctures is the same as a normal tube.
  • doyler78
    doyler78 Posts: 1,951
    So better of with a continental light tube then.
  • Pirahna
    Pirahna Posts: 1,315
    doyler78 wrote:
    So better of with a continental light tube then.

    Definately.

    I forgot to mention they're also bulkier which can make them tricky to fit in some tyres and takes up more room in the seat pack.
  • maddog 2
    maddog 2 Posts: 8,114
    I've not weighed mine (Michelin ones) but they don't feel heavier than the butyl ones and they offer a much nicer ride. Okay the reinflation thing does get a bit tedious after a while but I've got a compressor so it's pretty easy.

    I like them.
    Facts are meaningless, you can use facts to prove anything that's remotely true! - Homer
  • robbarker
    robbarker Posts: 1,367
    I use the Michelin ones on my road bike and they are lighter than the equivalent butyl tube, give a noticeably plusher tub-like ride and are very nice in use. They do need pumping up before each ride though. For a sporty machine they are well worth a punt, if only to experience the difference.
  • aracer
    aracer Posts: 1,649
    robbarker wrote:
    give a noticeably plusher tub-like ride
    Are you sure it's not the frame giving the comfortable ride rather than the tubes? :roll:
  • maddog 2
    maddog 2 Posts: 8,114
    they feel more supple
    Facts are meaningless, you can use facts to prove anything that's remotely true! - Homer
  • Pirahna
    Pirahna Posts: 1,315
    I must be missing something. I've tried latex tubes from different manufacturers (including Michelin) and can't tell the difference between a latex and butyl tube.

    Just popped a Michelin latex on the digital scales and it was 91 grams. Weighed a Conti butyl at 64 grams.
  • PJCM
    PJCM Posts: 5
    In theory latex is more elastic and supple than butyl so produces less rolling resistance and a more lively ride. Reputedly greater resistance to puncturing too.

    Many high-end tubular tires feature latex tubes. Many clincher tire rolling resistance bench tests also use latex so I guess they have technical merit despite the higher weight.

    I switched from Vittoria Evo butyl to Michelin latex and felt a very slight improvement in ride comfort. The greatest benefit is in conditioning my biceps by pumping my tires up all the time as latex deflates markedly overnight.

    Perhaps worth a try but I would be inclined to focus any extra money on the tire instead.
  • robbarker
    robbarker Posts: 1,367
    aracer wrote:
    Are you sure it's not the frame giving the comfortable ride rather than the tubes?

    Yes.
  • satanas
    satanas Posts: 1,303
    The only reason the ride might be more comfortable with latex tubes is because they lose air so fast. I used to have to inflate mine twice a day for commuting as they'd lose 20PSI+ during the day and the same again overnight. Definitely not the tube of choice for randonees!

    IME, latex = more expensive, more likely to split or otherwise fail catastrophically, no less likely to puncture, no difference in ride compared with equally light non-latex tube, plus a bl00dy nuisance to pump up all the time. If you really dislike black there might be some point, otherwise I'd give them a miss.
  • dennisn
    dennisn Posts: 10,601
    doyler78 wrote:
    Any recommendations for a good place to buy, ie the cheapest but good quality, if they are worth it.

    I know they are more expensive however as I have never punctured I guess they could be worth the extra expense if they are worth fitting at all.

    Not sure what you THINK latex tubes will do for you. Will they make you faster?
    Give you a more "cushy" ride? Will you be on the podium more? Will they "spin up"
    quicker? Make you a better climber? The answers to these questions is NO. This is all
    "grasping at straws" type of stuff. Latex tubes are nowhere near the "holy grail" of
    cycling that everyone seems to be searching for. Sorry, I'm ranting. Imagine that, me
    ranting. :shock: :shock:

    Dennis Noward
  • wildmoustache
    wildmoustache Posts: 4,010
    aracer wrote:
    robbarker wrote:
    give a noticeably plusher tub-like ride
    Are you sure it's not the frame giving the comfortable ride rather than the tubes? :roll:

    that's an interesting subject for a new thread now you mention it aracer :lol:
  • doyler78
    doyler78 Posts: 1,951
    dennisn wrote:
    doyler78 wrote:
    Any recommendations for a good place to buy, ie the cheapest but good quality, if they are worth it.

    I know they are more expensive however as I have never punctured I guess they could be worth the extra expense if they are worth fitting at all.

    Not sure what you THINK latex tubes will do for you. Will they make you faster?
    Give you a more "cushy" ride? Will you be on the podium more? Will they "spin up"
    quicker? Make you a better climber? The answers to these questions is NO. This is all
    "grasping at straws" type of stuff. Latex tubes are nowhere near the "holy grail" of
    cycling that everyone seems to be searching for. Sorry, I'm ranting. Imagine that, me
    ranting. :shock: :shock:

    Dennis Noward

    Why wouldn't I consider anything and everything out there?

    I was asking as to opinions on their usefulness and recommendations if they thought they were useful. I don't propose to know about something I have never ridden therefore that's why I asked the question :wink:

    I don't think I will bother with them to be honest as I really haven't been convinced that they will offer me much of a benefit in terms of either comfort or better rolling.
  • wildmoustache
    wildmoustache Posts: 4,010
    I know there are some ill-informed and speculative comments around, but the one benefit they will provide is a slight increase in lateral stifness whilst - at worst - leaving verticle compliance unchanged.
  • notsoracy rich
    notsoracy rich Posts: 229
    For goodness sake!!!

    A pair of lates tubes will cost about £12 compared to £6 for a pair of ordinary tubes. You won't need to get a mortage!!!

    Why not just try them and see if you like them.

    I have been using latex tubes on my race bikes ever since Air-B were the manufacturers who claimed less rolling resistance,and at my level of (not)superfitness I need evey help I can get. I don't know if they are faster,but they stay up long enough to race on, they definitely feel more comfortable than butyl tubes on the same tyres ,same wheels, same frame ,same shorts, same saddle, same chamois cream, same rider.

    Of course, this is just my opinion! :)

    Rich

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