Latex tubes - worth the bother?

[SixtySpeedTwin]

I got myself a lovely shiny set of fulcrum quattros, being 35mm section i need to get some new tubes & spares.

ive always had butyl tubes but wondered if latex offer anything more than about 10g and exercise with the track pump?

Ta

[matt-ITR]

They do feel great, but I had a series of blow outs with Michelin latex tubes a few years ago and I can never trust them again.
Front wheel blowout on smooth tarmac at 40mph is proper scary. I had several more rear blowouts too within a few weeks.

[BadgerBenji]

I use them for cross as they are less prone to pinch punctures, but not putting massive pressures in them.

[Jimbo.]

Paired with decent tyres (the better Vittorias, Veloflex etc), yes: they do ride nicely. Using them this year at Flanders.

[Fourmotion]

Yes, I think they are. They puncture so much less from flints than butyl. I do ride silly soft rubber tyres which could also cure my problem, but running latex tubes seemed the best of both worlds. I rarely go out for a ride without checking pressures anyway.

Using them for LBL this year.

[CoolC]

Maybe I'm missing something obvious here, but how does the inner tube material change the ride?

[Birdthom]

CoolC said:

Maybe I'm missing something obvious here, but how does the inner tube material change the ride?

Thinner, lighter, reduced friction I believe.

Think of some other latex products and how it might change your experience if they were made of a thick layer of butyl ;-) (I am in danger of turning into Swiss Toni here)

[matt-ITR]

It is because the material is more compliant, so absorbs the vibrations better.
Nothing really to do with thickness. You can get very thin butyl tubes, way thinner and lighter than latex tubes.

[Raven Flyer]

Very thin butyl feel like latex tubes, to me..

Neither material will resist a flint that pierces the tyre casing.

[SixtySpeedTwin]

Well for the moment i went for regular butyls as i already found i had some with the correct length valves and only needed a spare.
I think ill try some latex tubes once i'm used to the ride of the new wheels.
Cheers for the feedback guys.

[Jimbo.]

They deform more readily, so result in a more compliant ride and less rolling resistance. Open Paves + latex tubes were PERFECT this weekend.

[Cagey]

Fourmotion said:

Yes, I think they are. They puncture so much less from flints than butyl. I do ride silly soft rubber tyres which could also cure my problem, but running latex tubes seemed the best of both worlds. I rarely go out for a ride without checking pressures anyway.

Using them for LBL this year.

OT, but what distance are you going for? There's 2 of us going over and we've signed up for the full ~270km and I'm starting to think we've bitten off more than we can chew...

[MadDad]

matt-ITR said:

They do feel great, but I had a series of blow outs with Michelin latex tubes a few years ago and I can never trust them again.
Front wheel blowout on smooth tarmac at 40mph is proper scary. I had several more rear blowouts too within a few weeks.

My experience with them was much the same. Excellent ride but they never punctured, they exploded and went flat immediately, I preferred the ride but found myself becoming a bit twitchy on fast descents 'just in case'.....

[Fourmotion]

Cagey said:

OT, but what distance are you going for? There's 2 of us going over and we've signed up for the full ~270km and I'm starting to think we've bitten off more than we can chew...

I'm attempting the full distance too. It could well be beyond me, but I won't know until I try! Just take a few Euro for a taxi.... Best of luck!

[F355GTB]

I've got a set a fulcrum quattros, their quite a nice wheel but relatively
heavy. For the extra cost i wouldn't bother with latex tubes which I've had
very mixed experiences with. Just stick with a nice high quality conventional
tube.

[Cagey]

Fourmotion said:

I'm attempting the full distance too. It could well be beyond me, but I won't know until I try! Just take a few Euro for a taxi.... Best of luck!

Same to you!

The final 90k will definitely be a trip into the unknown. Just hoping my good bike is back to me in time as it's currently away for a warranty issue. Going to be really hacked off if I have to take my winter hack...