700 x 23 Latex Tube in 700 x 25 Tire: Possible? Pros? / Cons?
 

My buddy gave me two Michelin latex tubes that say 700 x 23 on the box.

There is no range given, like on many tubes, that would say 700 x 23-25.

I have used the Michelin latex tubes in 23s a lot and love the ride feel.

These days I roll on GP4000sII 25s and so I am wondering if I can use the Michelin 700 x2 3 tubes with a good result.

700 x 23 Latex Tube in 700 x 25 Tire: Possible? Pros? / Cons? Thanks.

Latex tubes are very "stretchy" and should work in your 700-25 tires with no problems. They will, like any latex tube, lose pressure very quickly so expect to reinflate them before every ride.

I have a couple latex tubes that came with a bike I got. I've noticed two things about them: they weigh less on my gram scale, and they lose air rapidly. I have not noticed any difference while riding.

And yeah, they'll be fine in your 25mm tires.

Yes it fits, and YES you will be annoyed by the air loss. Butyl is MUCH better.

-SP

Jeepers, you're talking about 10% or so more stretch on a Latex tube. Did you never play with balloons as a child?

Thank you for your responses. I am reassured that the 23 tubes will fit 25 tires with no problem.

I have ridden latex tubes for thousands of miles on 23s and I don't mind the air loss.

There are rituals I enjoy that are just a part of cycling to me.

My Ritual 12 Step Check List

1. Select a kit: Jersey, Shorts, Socks, maybe a base layer.
2. Get into the kit.
3. Put on the sunscreen.
4. Fill the bottles, put them on the bike.
5. Put shoe covers, a snack, I.D. & phone in jersey pockets.
6. Turn the Garmin on.
7. Top off the Tires with a sip of air.
8. Put on the Shoes & on the Gloves.
9. Put on the Helmet and snap the chin strap.
10. Sunglasses go on, with the temple arms over the helmet straps, of course.
11. Tell any family members who are home, I love them, my route, and when I expect to be back.
12. Start the Garmin and go!

These 12 Steps matter a lot to me.
They are the rituals that prepare me to go into the mystic.

In a pinch, I've used tubes for specced for smaller tires before and they work, but I found them to be more prone to pinch flats. Granted, this was being stuck with a tube like the OP has, and a having a flat w/ 28s. 23 -> 25 should be far less of a problem.

Frankly, if you're getting pinch flats, you're not running enough pressure or more likely you're running a tire that's too narrow for your weight/terrain. A different tube is not the cure. You still have to worry about denting your rim.

It was using smaller tubes on a cx bike, where lower pressure is the norm.

I race CX and I really hate the maximum allowed tire size of 33mm. Why not let us run the size that works best? I use tubulars and some of the courses around here are so bumpy I'm forced to choose between constantly bottoming out at 25psi or being beaten to death at a higher pressure. I think a 1.95" MTB tire would work a lot better but cross frames are not designed to fit those tires because professionals aren't allowed to use them in races... (Sorry for the rant)