wphamilton

We see this come up from time to time, everyone has their own opinion and habit in buying tubes, and it doesn't really even matter in the greater scheme of things (such as the effect on average speed). But it's a nagging question isn't it, just how much better is a high dollar tube than the cheapest you can scrounge up? I mean quantified numbers that you can grab on to.

Weight, rotational weight, is a given. We can measure that and plug it into whatever calculations or equations we want. I'd even grant more durable stems and valves, if true a minor advantage in my humble opinion. But what about rolling resistance? Are there any comparative tests you know of before going any further? Is there any advantage at all in rolling resistance, and if so how much?

It looks like there should be. Thinner light weight tubes of superior material should show less resistance to deform which translates into lower rolling resistance. But "looks like" is not always the same as "is". I could see the effect if any changing with the type of tire, humidity, width of wheel, powder used if any, and so on. Maybe it's swamped by all the other variables. Anyway I'd be willing to spend an afternoon some time testing it with coast down measurements if it's not already been done. The cheapest tube from walmart vs the highest quality I can find (and which tube would that be?).

ovoleg

the thinner tubes suck, i got flats with them all the time.

rpeterson

Latex tubes give a decent advantage to rolling resistance, butyl tubes are all pretty much the same if you aren't looking at thorn resistant tubes.

wphamilton

OK, skipping puncture resistance and how long they hold air, what's the "fastest" latex or butyl tube you can buy?

Nagrom_

You get flats because of your tires, not your tubes.

jimc101

These probably are the lightest tubes at 29g https://www.eclipse.ch/new/index.html not Latex or butyl though & they are very hard on the wallet.

rpeterson

Any decent latex tube should be better than a decent butyl tube, but beyond that I haven't seen any big differences.

wphamilton

Am I reading that right, 49 Euros for a tube? Okay, let's scale down the "best there is" a bit. I'm only going to buy one, but my pecuniary habits aren't quite that flexible. Second choice? Do you agree with rpeterson that any good latex tube will do? I'd like to get some kind of consensus.

Chris Pringle

I've used many tubes over the last 10 years. I would say that Schwalbe possibly produces one of the best tubes out there. $8-$12 a pop.

whitemax

I like the Michelin latex tubes. At 75 grams (as best I can remember) lighter than many butlyl tubes and heavier than others. As I recall, the Lunar Light butlyl tube weighs around 50 grams; I have ridden those with good results but it is a very thin tube.

LowCel 

I use lightweight q-tubes, very cheap and they do the job. I am 215 pounds, ride some crappy roads and I don't flat any more than the other people that I ride with. If I do flat, three minutes later I'm back on the road so it's not a huge concern.

StanSeven

In terms of "best" butyl tubes, I think they are Conti. I say this only because I've found unopened tubes in corners of my garage shelves I forgot about. Despite being several years old, they still seem fresh and supple. But they still don't seem as good as latex and I agree any latex should perform as well as another

wphamilton

I'm starting to see a pattern now, recommending a good latex tube but with no really strong preference as to brand, other than perhaps the 49 Eur tube. I want to order one but I don't see Michelin latex on Amazon (I have free shipping with Prime), but will either of these work for my test of "almost best"?

https://www.amazon.com/Vittoria-Latex-Tube-Color-700x25/dp/B003M3T6QG
https://www.amazon.com/VREDESTEIN-Lat.../dp/B002FMDY3G

They're both a little pricier than the $12 range mentioned, so a good choice for the test?

rpeterson

I use Vittoria myself. I believe Michelin stopped making latex tubes recently. I keep 2 around for race days and use butyl for everyday riding. Latex is good for ~20 seconds in a 40k, more if you're going slower than an hour.

CrankAndYank

The ones you use to train the most.

ovoleg

no dude you don't. I wont even get into a debate about tires/tubes but if you think the tubes have no impact then you're just noob'in it up.

Nagrom_

If things are going through your tires, and you're counting on your tube to stop whatever just caused the puncture, you're just noob'in it up.

wphamilton

So I'll get the Vittoria then, and also whatever is cheapest on Amazon to compare it to. I propose to compare the rolling resistance only - not puncture protection, comfort, or use in training - by rolling down an incline multiple times and capturing the speed at given distance intervals. Since I'm not using a power meter I'll start at 0 mph and mxgxh will be the only energy expended, to keep it simple. Then I'll change just the tube and do it again keeping everything else the same including the tire, pressure and weight. Except the rotating weight, I'm not adding the extra weight to the rim to keep that the same but I'll carry the difference in my pocket. The difference between the two sets of test runs will reflect the different rolling resistances, and we will at last be able to put a number to it.

teamtrinity

This. You depend on the tire for puncture and flat resistance. Usually, if the tire gets compromised...the tubes gonna give regardless of what tube you bought.

Having said that...I have noticed that butyl tubes have better pinch resistance than latex tubes. But usually, if the tube ends up pinching at all...it has been my fault (user error with installation/removal/reinstallation or with ill advised tire pressures).

Back to the OP...I like latex tubes better. I feel like they roll a bit better and they feel a bit more comfortable. I prefer Vredestein latex tubes. For butyl's, I like Conti's. But in practice, I buy whatever is cheap at my LBS and they're always perfectly fine. I have used the Eclipse tubes. They are very light...roll fast...no less durable than latex tubes. They sound different when rolling at speed. And they're expensive. But if you have cash to burn, go for it!

rpeterson

You could always just read the results from those who have done the tests already.

https://www.biketechreview.com/tires_...sting_rev9.pdf

wphamilton

I'd just about settled on the Vittoria and here you go with the other choice.

The Eclipse is tempting, but it sounds like a latex tube is a better choice for my general test. Plus, I'm going to keep the tube I select as a spare, and I really can't see commuting with the $63 tube in my $15 tire after all is said and done. It might be worth it for curiosity, but such a waste afterwards.

MileHighMark

I've had bad luck with these recently. One failed catastrophically at the seam, and another had 3-4 tiny holes at the seam. The other two I purchased at the same time appear to be OK.

wphamilton

That's better than testing. Or easier. But ... it looks like the chart shows results for different tires plus tubes, not just tubes, and no comparison with "low quality" tubes?

... ok I found some tube results later down, will look at this closer before proceeding.

LowCel 

I believe that qbp may do low bid on those tubes, they are usually Kenda tubes and I've had good luck. It is possible that another company made the ones that you purchased. Either that or you just got some bad tubes, unfortunately it happens from time to time.

MileHighMark

Yeah, they're usually marked Kenda or Cheng Shin. Normally they're fine, but like you said, I think I received some bad ones.