Latex

vrsmatt

Whats the general opinion on latex inntertubes?

fat daddy

they feel more fragile when struggling to get a tyre on or off without ripping a hole in the tube with an over zealous tyre lever.

once in though and inflated .... I cannot tell any difference what so ever in feel ... I haven't suffered a pinch flat .. but then I haven't slammed into a pothole recently either

I wouldn't spend the extra again, normal cheap arsed innertubes work for me just fine.

edit: mind you I am a road noob, perhaps a wannabe pro racer can tell ??

DavidJB

Supposed to save a few watts....felt the difference racing yesterday but couldn't have been my legs...if for racing yes if for general riding no.

mercia_man

Schwalbe One clinchers with latex tubes are quicker than with lightweight butyl tubes and tubeless, according to http://www.bicyclerollingresistance.com ... s-clincher

My experience (I've used them for about 15 years) is that latex feel a bit more lively and more comfortable over bumpy roads than butyl when paired with lightweight and supple race tyres. Because they are more stretchy than butyl tubes, they are claimed to be more resistant to pinch punctures and intrusions. If they do puncture, despite what I have read occasionally on this forum, you can easily mend them with regular puncture patches such as Tip Top.

Latex tubes need pumping up before every ride. I don't recommend leaving them in your seat pack as a spare for a long period. They can deteriorate with lots of fine cracks, as I found to my cost. Use butyls as your spare back-up tubes.

vrsmatt

Interesting stuff.

I was given one as a spare about 18 months ago, left in my saddlebag and had to use it saturday, I wasnt sure if it was my imagination but it did feel more supple despite being run at a slightly higher pressure.

Was flat as a fart yesterday afternoon so it may have deteriorated......

ben@31

Maybe they'll be good on smooth good quality roads, that are free of gravel and potholes. But with the amount of punctures I'm getting, I'll stick to cheap butyl inners and a durable tyre.

simon_masterson

There's data on reduced rolling resistance and they certainly have a nice ride feel - though probably not noticeable with bog standard training clinchers.

They certainly are fragile and temperamental (and I've more than once had them fail on first inflation), but as long as you seat your rim tape properly and take care when seating your tyre, they're generally fairly well behaved. Get some Veloflex as well.

sloppyschleckonds

The Vittoria tubes are the best I've found, the michelins just disintegrate

ryan_w-2

Butyl Supersonics all day long for me. Lighter and more durable than latex.

sungod

VRSMatt wrote:

Interesting stuff.

I was given one as a spare about 18 months ago, left in my saddlebag and had to use it saturday, I wasnt sure if it was my imagination but it did feel more supple despite being run at a slightly higher pressure.

Was flat as a fart yesterday afternoon so it may have deteriorated......

latex loses pressure fast, you need to re-inflate daily

fwiw i like tubs with latex tubes, but for clinchers there's not much point unless you're time trialling and using them to eke out the last few watts together with a low crr tyre

redvee

sungod wrote:

latex loses pressure fast, you need to re-inflate daily

I found that when I had Michelin latex in my bike. As it was my better bike, 1st gen 105 9 speed sti, I only rode it once a week and had to pump the tyres up every time and the bike was hanging up so no pressure on the tyres.

DavidJB

Yeah they lose 25psi(ish) a day.

vrsmatt

sungod wrote:

VRSMatt wrote:

Interesting stuff.

I was given one as a spare about 18 months ago, left in my saddlebag and had to use it saturday, I wasnt sure if it was my imagination but it did feel more supple despite being run at a slightly higher pressure.

Was flat as a fart yesterday afternoon so it may have deteriorated......

latex loses pressure fast, you need to re-inflate daily

fwiw i like tubs with latex tubes, but for clinchers there's not much point unless you're time trialling and using them to eke out the last few watts together with a low crr tyre

But totally flat in less than 24 hours? That's not normal is it?

Matthewfalle

Afraid it is - which is why I threw a wobbly with my Vitoria Corsa SC or whatever they are stupid expensive latex tubs on the s/s.

Unless they are for good race days I can't really see the point.

I'm just using the Vittorias as commuting tubs now so they will die.

pblakeney

I tried the Michelins a couple of years ago. There wasn't much difference in ride, if any, they needed pumping up every day, and yes, they did perish over the winter. Won't bother again.

DeVlaeminck

I use latex on my best wheels, whether I can feel a difference is debatable but the data is there to suggest a small but measurable reduction in rolling resistance and for the money they cost that seems a no brainer.

Agree with the above that it's easier to pinch them fitting with tight tyres but apart from that I haven't suffered any down sides. I did read on here that they are more prone to popping if you overheat your rims on a descent - I've been to the Alps three times with them and never popped one but it did get into my head a bit and I used lightweight butyl tubes last time I went for peace of mind when doing close to 50mph down those mountains.

Re them deflating - having to pump them up every day is normal but they shouldn't be totally flat over night.

vrsmatt

DeVlaeminck wrote:

Re them deflating - having to pump them up every day is normal but they shouldn't be totally flat over night.

Cheers. :-)

cooldad

Damn I thought this would be about kinky riding gear.

okgo

Its single figure watt savings per wheel, so its not going to be night and day. With the best will in the world, most riders would not notice a lot more than they save as a difference. If you switched from a heavier tyre to a lightweight one with very low CRR, like one of the Corsa g+ or similar and latex at the same time, then you would likely be able to tell. But in isolation, I doubt many riders could, if any.

It isn't about the weight of them either.

Personally have them in my time trial bike wheels, and my good clinchers, which I happen to ride most of the time when weather is alright, just have to pump them up more often.

vrsmatt

okgo wrote:

Its single figure watt savings per wheel, so its not going to be night and day. With the best will in the world, most riders would not notice a lot more than they save as a difference. If you switched from a heavier tyre to a lightweight one with very low CRR, like one of the Corsa g+ or similar and latex at the same time, then you would likely be able to tell. But in isolation, I doubt many riders could, if any.

It isn't about the weight of them either.

Personally have them in my time trial bike wheels, and my good clinchers, which I happen to ride most of the time when weather is alright, just have to pump them up more often.

Thanks

I'm not remotely bothered about saving Watts or even the weight. I'm relatively interested in ride feel and what they're like to live with. It was easy to put it in as I can get my tyres on with my hands (28mm 4 Season Conti's) so I was surprised it was flat the next day. I took it out yesterday and it seems to have deteriorated as it went like a clowns balloon when i inflated it, i'm minded to put two new ones in as i think it felt more supple to ride on, provided they dont puncture easily

okgo

They all do that, even when brand new, the clown thing.

vrsmatt

okgo wrote:

They all do that, even when brand new, the clown thing.

Fiddlesticks, so I just binned a perfectly good tube. Doh :roll:

okgo

Go and fish it out.

I binned a bottle of wine by accident yesterday, neighbours curtains were ruffling when they saw me reaching into a bin to retrieve a bottle of wine...