Latex tubes

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Permalink Reply by Geoffrey Grosenbach on September 5, 2013 at 12:25pm

I've used them and know a friend who does. Latex can stretch quite a bit before there would be any problem. I have flatted twice on latex, so it's not bulletproof, but I like the ride quality.

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Permalink Reply by Geoffrey Grosenbach on September 5, 2013 at 12:26pm

To clarify: yes, you can run road sized latex tubes on 'cross tires.

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Permalink Reply by Mike on September 6, 2013 at 8:25am

yes this works, been doing the same thing with the michelin green tubes for years.  remember co2 dons not work with latex!

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Permalink Reply by Kris Fleming on September 6, 2013 at 11:06am

Thanks Geoff.

Thanks Mike, so even down to a 700x23 tube works fine?  Doesn't look like Michelin makes them any bigger.  Good to know. 

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Permalink Reply by Adam Cohen on September 26, 2013 at 7:15pm

If your question is using smaller latex tubes in cx sized tires, I can speak from experience that it works fine. Last year I rode my 700x32 tires with (super old school) Conti. road latex tubes. No issues with stretching. Ive ridden the challenge tubes too, in my road bike, and have noticed no difference between brands. Do you notice a difference between butyl tubes? Probably not. Same goes for latex, in my experience. 

If you cant race tubulars, I think latex is the way to do it. I cant say I noticed a huge difference, but the tubes weighed less (non-factor, probably) and I think I was able to run them a bit lower PSI than my butyl tubes. It may not even be that there was less air/PSI in there, but they did feel a bit softer. 

Verdict: Use latex tubes, try not to ride crazy low pressure (unless you have spare wheels or like blowing through $14 tubes), and if youre scared, put a squirt of caffelatex in. Good luck this season. 

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Permalink Reply by Rick Perner on September 27, 2013 at 10:49am

Ive only had bad luck on the road with Vittoria latex tubes. I've never had them on my cross bike. They seem really fragile to me and they don't  patch up very well. I think of the Vittorias  as disposable.

I'm running the Challenges. I think they hold air better. I've pinch flatted once. I was able to repair it easily. They feel sturdier.

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Permalink Reply by Adam Cohen on September 28, 2013 at 3:38pm

to be 100% honest, I think theyre made in the same factory. Theyre both red/pink. Both made in Thailand- where Vittoria has a HUGE output. Sooooo many tubulars (at least their casings/basetape) are made by vittoria if you take a very close look. Just a guess that there arent tons of factories in Thailand making latex tubes. Just a guess, but I bet the same latex tubes are used in their tubulars. 

This is all speculation, but winters in a PA bike shop give you a lot of time to think about these things. 

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