Latex Tubes for Road - am I tempting a long walk?

[jesusbuiltmycar]

I have heard a lot of good things about latex tubes for road bikes (mainly on GCN) and I am tempted to give them a try when I take my bike on holiday. It is my understanding that they either cannot be patched or are difficult to patch should a puncture occur.

Is the likely-hood of a puncture greater with latex tubes and is it advisable to carry 2 spare butyl tubes in case of a double puncture?

Any advice appreciated.

[JayRidesBikes]

It really depends on why you want them. Are you a fast rider who is racing with a good set up, looking for marginal gains? If so they are a smart, low cost choice.

If you aren't the above, I don't particularly see the benefit in paying £13 - £15 per tube, for a a lot less puncture resistance in exchange for about a 5 watt saving. Could end up a costly game if you puncture often and replace with another latex.

Edit: You have to be more careful installing them, as they can pinch and as they are quite fragile will puncture if there are any gaps in your rim tape, or you pinch them in a tyre. Also if you have rim brakes they can overheat and blow out on long descents.

Edited by JayRidesBikes on Tuesday 19th July 13:23

[leyorkie]

You also need to check the pressures daily as they do have a tendency to leak. It’s a very long time since I used them so things maybe better but I wouldn’t want to try anything new on a holiday.
Tried and tested for reliability.

[millen]

Make sure you have a decent track pump available on your holiday or it will be hard work each morning! Sometimes pumps at cycle hotels can be rather clapped out. Mine lose 20-30 psi each day. I recall there are specific latex tube patches available but haven't tried these - normal patches tend not to stick.

[okgo]

I don't agree that they are more prone to punctures. I also think I've patched them in the past, but they're only 8 quid vs the usual 5 so I don't bother. They feel a touch different and sound different, but meh unless every second counts.

[Sausage roll]

okgo said:

I don't agree that they are more prone to punctures. I also think I've patched them in the past, but they're only 8 quid vs the usual 5 so I don't bother. They feel a touch different and sound different, but meh unless every second counts.

I agree with most of the above. I’ve been using them on my ‘best’ road bike for about a year now and would say they are no more prone to punctures than ordinary inner tubes. I like them because they give a slightly smoother ride (although that could all be in my head), but as others have said you do have to keep them pumped up as they slowly loose pressure over a couple of days.

[z4RRSchris]

I would say its very down to which tube you get.

I blew out 3 in a week, and have since switched to riding them only on my race wheels.

training, who cares about the 5w.

[Bathroom_Security]

I ran them for a couple of months. Think the ride quality improved slightly and rolled better but splitting hairs, like 1 or 2 mph gains. Do you care about that sort of stuff?

Go tubeless. Even better go low pressure like a zipp 303 firecrest at 55psi.

Pain in the ass to work with. Easy to pinch them and rupture when levering a tire on

[nammynake]

Bathroom_Security said:

I ran them for a couple of months. Think the ride quality improved slightly and rolled better but splitting hairs, like 1 or 2 mph gains. Do you care about that sort of stuff?

Go tubeless. Even better go low pressure like a zipp 303 firecrest at 55psi.

Pain in the ass to work with. Easy to pinch them and rupture when levering a tire on

1-2 mph gains? Not even close - that would be astonishing. I’d be surprised if the benefit was even a tenth of that.

[keith2.2]

I used them for a while on my road bike (having bought them to race on and then didn’t bother removing them). I didn’t have any issues other than having to pump up before every ride - running GP5000s.

I would’t bother for day to day riding though.

[jesusbuiltmycar]

Thanks everyone - they sound like a real ball ache. On holiday I wont have a track pump as I will be staying in a villa. I will stick with standard cotinental tubes and send them back.

[leyorkie]

Makes sense

[jonm01]

What about the new TPU tubes which are very light and seem to have decent puncture protection?

[millen]

Quite a positive review of RideNow TPU tubes from AliExpress https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hS3eiEtZabg
33g sounds amazing!

[Gruffy]

Lots of early horror stories of failing valves when Tubolitos first came out. I've carried them for ages as secondary spare but never had to test one. I'd love for them to be reliable, even if the performance claims are inflated (badoom-tish), because they pack down so, so tiny.

[Ed/L152]

I've moved to latex without any issues, except one - the ones I've used have a really tight fit into my pumps and need quite a bit of force to get on. So much that once, when pushing the valve into the rim I caused a puncture. There's no threads to temporarily use a valve nut either. I now just push the valve against the side of the valve hole to brace it - which seems fine in alloy rims but I probably wouldn't do the same with carbon rims.

Latex tubes repair exactly the same way as butyl tubes. Easier in fact. The tube that I puncture mention above fixed really easily despite the awkward position of the puncture next to the valve. So I carry a spare tube (or two, depending on ride length), and a repair kit.

Edited by Ed/L152 on Friday 29th July 12:57

[okgo]

I didn’t say earlier but I actually feel with no seam that they’re easier to repair if you’re inclined to do so.

But as per previous - there’s more headache for little gain really.