Which lightweight tubes and rim tape?

ukracer

Reading cycling plus recently and has an article on lightening up wheels
Anyone have recommended tape and tubes to go along with Mich pro 3s

Kléber

If you really want light, try the Stans tape or even better don't use tape by Velo plus.

For me the best tubes are Vredestein latex, under 50g and strong.

aracer

I use Veloplugs and Michelin Airlight (75g) tubes. Personally I reckon anything lighter is too risky in terms of getting punctures, and not particularly keen on having to pump up latex tubes twice a day.

ukracer

can veloplugs be used on all types of wheels?

Kléber

They have two sizes. It depends on the rims as to whether they work but I think they work on most.

andylav

'No Flats' adhesive rim tape from Chain Reaction - 9 grammes per wheel if you apply a full double layer - 5 grammes for a single layer (in which case a single roll is enough for 2 x 700 c rims). Similar weight but more straightforward than Velo Plugs (which can still leave a hard edge to cause punctures in some rims - new Shimano Dura Ace for instance)

Vittoria EVO (if you can get them them) or Continental Supersonic tubes - 55 grammes / 61 grammes respectively and butly, so more resilient and less leakage than latex.

Combination is light enough to be noticeable but not too light as to cause reliability issues

blorg

I'm happy with Vittoria Ultralites at a claimed 80g (actual 88g.) Concerned that anything lighter might get a bit delicate- have heard mixed reviews on the EVO/Supersonics. I use Schwalbe Ultremo tyres which are genuinely under 200g, great grip and pretty good on the puncture resistance and durability, got around 5,000km on a rear one before the tube was bulging out where it had worn down. Standard Velox tape on one set of wheels but the other don't require rim tape.

@aracer- is it not Michelin Aircomp butyl, Airlight are the latex ones?

I'd consider latex on a non-daily bike as I'd generally check tyre pressure anyway before I head out and I have read that they are actually more puncture resistant as well as improving rolling resistance- due to their being more stretchy than butyl.

aarw

Kléber wrote:

For me the best tubes are Vredestein latex, under 50g and strong.

+1. i also ise the michelin latex but the Vred's are a uperior product imo.

chriskempton

Maxxis Flyweight at 55g or Bonty XXX LIte at about the same have worked well for me.

I don't trust latex tubes with a clincher - I had one work it's way under the bead and blow out the side of a tyre. It WAS properly installed - latex is much more stretchy and malleable so is better able to do this sort of thing than butyl. Great for tubs though.

cyclingpunk

I recently bought some supersonics. Got 2 punctures putting the first one on. Never bothered putting them on after this! Never had a problem installing a tube before so maybe they are a few grammes too far?

aarw

Here's a tip you can have for free: try using a little talking powder on your tubes before putting them on.

alfablue

Where do you get talking powder? I'd like some for those awkward social occasions.

Steve928

Use Vittoria EVO55s (actually 61g.) on all my bikes. Yet to have a problem or a p******e.

You can still get them from BicycleRubber direct or via Ebay.

chriskempton

cyclingpunk wrote:

I recently bought some supersonics. Got 2 punctures putting the first one on. Never bothered putting them on after this! Never had a problem installing a tube before so maybe they are a few grammes too far?

I had the same - they kept ripping round the valve :roll:

aarw

alfablue wrote:

Where do you get talking powder? I'd like some for those awkward social occasions.

LOL, yes indeed. i meant talcum powder. i really need to check what i type more before hitting the submit button..

The Spiderman

I managed an almighty exposion last night while pumping up a standard weight Kenda tube with a Schwalbe Stelvio,so I`d put a lightweight tube puncturing down to installation as much as the tube.
I some how managed to pinch the tube whilst installing and the Stelvios are a very tight fit,which didn`t help.
As a result I ordered 4 Vittoria Ultalites,which at 75g seemd a good compromise, via ebay for £11.

giant_man

Just started using Bike Ribbon rim tape, seems good to me unless anyone has anything bad to say about it.

6288

no-one on here is that fast that such a thing makes a difference ... sheesh ...

ukracer

6288 wrote:

no-one on here is that fast that such a thing makes a difference ... sheesh ...

For the price vs weight and me being loaded.
why not
What credit crunch tight wad!!!!!!! 8)

Kléber

6288 wrote:

no-one on here is that fast that such a thing makes a difference ... sheesh ...

Who's to say people are not fast? Besides, even if you're the slowest rider, you can still enjoy riding and if you're going to be buying rim tape and tubes, then why not have a chat about the best?

ukracer

Kléber wrote:

6288 wrote:

no-one on here is that fast that such a thing makes a difference ... sheesh ...

Who's to say people are not fast? Besides, even if you're the slowest rider, you can still enjoy riding and if you're going to be buying rim tape and tubes, then why not have a chat about the best?

here here!

aarw

6288 wrote:

no-one on here is that fast that such a thing makes a difference ... sheesh ...

you realise you are in the road gear section of cycling forum, right?