Originally Posted by
Rides4Beer
I run latex with my GP5Ks and like them. I check my pressure every ride anyway, so having to give them a few pumps each ride is not a big deal for me.
As mentioned, be careful with the install, but it's not as difficult as some people make it out to be. My process is: talc the tube, slightly inflate, install one side of tire, install tube making sure its in the rim, install other side of tire (deflate tube), re-inflate tube slightly, carefully check around both sides of tire to make sure tube is not peeking out under the bead, inflate fully. Sounds complicated, but I mounted a new set of tires with latex tubes in about 20 mins yesterday, just taking my time.
I carry butyl spares, because if I get a flat (haven't yet with the latex), I don't want to deal with that process on the road, just want to slap the tube in and get riding again.
So I just installed them finally. Latex tubes with Rene Herse Chinook Pass Tires. Only problem - during install I inflated one of the tubes some (before I put it in tire), and one little part of the tube bulged a bit. Like a four inch balloon bulge. I just let it deflate, installed it, inflated and rode for a few minutes on roller trainer. But I'm thinking, if a tube bulges like that before install, does that happen because there's a thin, weak part of the tube? Not sure I should be riding it or just return.