Latex, Supersonic or something else?

white91
white91 Posts: 431
edited May 2012 in Road buying advice
Basically after two Schwalbe SV20s exploding on me, I have reverted back to my cheapo innova tubes. These have never failed me in 12months cycling.

I have found the Supersonics for a very reasonalble £8.95, these seem to be the lightest I can get. I am also thinking about latex tubes. I am not too bothered about pumping them up either as I love my Lezyne :D

Should I consider anything else? I run Model B wheelset with Ultremo ZXs.

As a heavier rider 93kg, should I think about the Conti Race Lights?

Comments

  • napoleond
    napoleond Posts: 5,992
    Yeah, Michelin Aircomp latex
    Insta: ATEnduranceCoaching
    ABCC Cycling Coach
  • Mettan
    Mettan Posts: 2,103
    white91 wrote:

    Should I consider anything else?

    Vittoria Ultralites - adequate, light and affordable.
  • white91
    white91 Posts: 431
    I consider anything under £10 affordable, as £ per gram saving tubes are probably the best saving.

    The rm is also exactly where you want to make savings.
  • itsnotarace
    itsnotarace Posts: 518
    white91 wrote:
    As a heavier rider 93kg, should I think about the Conti Race Lights?

    I don't see why not, you need a bit more pressure in them than a lighter rider would
  • napoleond
    napoleond Posts: 5,992
    It's not the weight with latex that makes them so lovely, they are more supple so your wheels roll better. They sound cooool too :)
    Insta: ATEnduranceCoaching
    ABCC Cycling Coach
  • fish156
    fish156 Posts: 496
    I'm with Nap on this - the bike simply feels more alive when running latex tubes.
  • antonyfromoz
    antonyfromoz Posts: 482
    Is there really that much difference??? I understand, and please correct me if I'm wrong, that with latex tubes you have to keep a keener eye on the tyre pressure because they tend to lose pressure quicker than normal tubes but if the difference is so great then they might be worth trying...
  • fish156
    fish156 Posts: 496
    antonyfromoz wrote:
    Is there really that much difference???...
    In my opinion, yes.
    antonyfromoz wrote:
    ... I understand, and please correct me if I'm wrong, that with latex tubes you have to keep a keener eye on the tyre pressure because they tend to lose pressure quicker than normal tubes...
    You need to pump up your tyres before you ride. In my view, a minor inconvenience for the payback.
  • bigpikle
    bigpikle Posts: 1,690
    are latex or very light tubes any more prone to punctures than standard tubes? Never used them but interested in trying them if there's no real risk of extra issues?
    Your Past is Not Your Potential...
  • EKIMIKE
    EKIMIKE Posts: 2,232
    In theory, yes the lighter/latex tubes are more prone to punctures. However if an object makes its way through your tyre carcass then it's pretty much guaranteed to poke a hole in any tube.

    You don't hear anyone marketing puncture resistant tubes... unless they're filled with some sort of gunge. When it comes to punctures, it's all about the tyres.
    Canyon Endurace CF 2014 | Canyon Ultimate CF 2010
  • white91
    white91 Posts: 431
    Planet X have agreed to send out two replacement tubes, but for some reason want me to return the old ones.

    I'm not sure I would be comfortable using the tubes again, I clocked 45 mph on my last ride, imagine a blow out at that speed.

    Convince me on some latex tubes, how are they better than Supersonics?
  • napoleond
    napoleond Posts: 5,992
    Supersonics are still butyl, latex tubes are much more supple and consequently they roll better/faster.
    Insta: ATEnduranceCoaching
    ABCC Cycling Coach
  • mercia_man
    mercia_man Posts: 1,431
    I agree with NapD. Michelin Aircomp latex are great. You definitely can feel the difference. They just feel more supple and seem to soak up the bumps. You need supple tyres like Mich Pro Race, Veloflex or Vittoria Corsa to get the full effect.

    You need to inflate every time you go out for a ride but I do that with butyl tubes and it's no hassle with a decent track pump.

    Puncture resistance with latex is if anything better than butyl. And you use ordinary patches to fix.
  • ct4oc
    ct4oc Posts: 98
    I'd never heard of latex tubes, i'm happy to pump up before each ride, if i'm running at 145psi will they stay up on a 100 mile ride?
  • napoleond
    napoleond Posts: 5,992
    ct4oc wrote:
    I'd never heard of latex tubes, i'm happy to pump up before each ride, if i'm running at 145psi will they stay up on a 100 mile ride?

    Oof! Why the heck do you run 145?! Worse rolling resistance due to bouncing and far less comfort!

    I did 118 miles on weds and I possibly lost 2psi.
    Insta: ATEnduranceCoaching
    ABCC Cycling Coach
  • ct4oc
    ct4oc Posts: 98
    is harder not better? i feel faster with less rolling resistance at higher pressures but i've never run any different! what pressures do people normally run at?
  • Cycloslalomeur
    Cycloslalomeur Posts: 349
    All right then I'm having a go on latex then. What's the verdict on Vredestein's latex offering? Van Eyck of Aalst in Belgium flog them for a fiver a pop.
  • napoleond
    napoleond Posts: 5,992
    ct4oc wrote:
    is harder not better? i feel faster with less rolling resistance at higher pressures but i've never run any different! what pressures do people normally run at?

    Rolling at very high pressures is worse due to deflection over tiny bumps etc which slows you down a little and is bloody uncomfortable!
    Insta: ATEnduranceCoaching
    ABCC Cycling Coach
  • itsnotarace
    itsnotarace Posts: 518
    Cycloslalomeur wrote:
    All right then I'm having a go on latex then. What's the verdict on Vredestein's latex offering? Van Eyck of Aalst in Belgium flog them for a fiver a pop.

    Vredesteins are supposed to be the best of the bunch
  • white91
    white91 Posts: 431
    I am in two minds whether to fit the replacement tubes.

    I did run them at 140 psi, just as an experiment as my tyres are rated to 145 psi, would that have been a factor in the failure?

    Maybe they would be fine at 120 psi?

    Or should I ebay them and get some latex?
  • joshvoulters
    joshvoulters Posts: 97
    Cycloslalomeur wrote:
    All right then I'm having a go on latex then. What's the verdict on Vredestein's latex offering? Van Eyck of Aalst in Belgium flog them for a fiver a pop.

    Fantastic tip- thanks.

    Actually 6.50, but that's around half the price that you'd pay in the UK. Link here: http://www.vaneyckstore.be/en/Tyres/423 ... -50mm.html

    I've got a set on order from Sigma Sport (wish I'd known about Van Eyck a week ago!), but have used Michelin latex tubes for a few months now- very noticeable difference in comfort compared with butyl tubes- I'm a convert.
  • Cycloslalomeur
    Cycloslalomeur Posts: 349
    joshvoulters wrote:
    Cycloslalomeur wrote:
    All right then I'm having a go on latex then. What's the verdict on Vredestein's latex offering? Van Eyck of Aalst in Belgium flog them for a fiver a pop.

    Fantastic tip- thanks.

    Actually 6.50, but that's around half the price that you'd pay in the UK. Link here: http://www.vaneyckstore.be/en/Tyres/423 ... -50mm.html

    I've got a set on order from Sigma Sport (wish I'd known about Van Eyck a week ago!), but have used Michelin latex tubes for a few months now- very noticeable difference in comfort compared with butyl tubes- I'm a convert.

    They're a fiver in Sterling. Alas, they don't have any stock at the moment.

Categories