lukasz

But no punctures. The tubes seem to be getting rubbed open on my rim tape (only on the rear). I replaced my rim tape yesterday, went out on a ride, and the tube ripped right next to where I had previously patched it (using tubular cement and a patch cut out of another latex tube), literally by being in contact with the patch. I've done four or five rides on these tubes so far--28c tubes in 28c tires--on my cross frame. I fear that my experiment with these tubes may be coming to an end. I was going to try applying some talc, but if these tubes need that much care then they are not worth the hassle. That and I can't find talc without fragrance.

Any tips (like: "get some butyl tubes")? Similar experiences?

vw addict

I use -> https://www.specialized.com/se/en/bc/...jsp?spid=41976

mattm

Why do you need latex is what I'm wondering.

chasmm

I can't tell from the webpage (or maybe I'm missing it), but what are those made of? Are they latex? Also, it says it saves 40g, but I don't see a weight...

vw addict

Thought they were just lightweight butyl.

david_594

I weighed the stock specialized tubes at ~130 grams each. So those lightweights are probably in the 80-90 gram range.

mjdwyer23

Not worth the hassle, and you won't feel a difference (except in your thumbs from not changing tubes every time).

pdedes

use this (the talcum version)

yeagerfrank

as a 128 pound "climber," i don't worry about weights - even on the outer diameters of my wheels where it makes the "most difference." i ride a fancy frame to keep my butt from getting sore on long rides. and it's those long rides and long races where boy o boy, it would piss me off like none other if i got a flat. so, i don't make believe that the few extra grams matter. i run the regular tubes you can buy at performance. not the lunar light, not the ultra light - just the ones that make no claim to their exceptional lightness. i would just much rather have the assurance that my efforts won't go to naught after hauling ass all day to place solidly in a race - rather than the make believe "confidence builder" that 30 grams in my wheels is going to put me over the finish line sooner than the next guy. and if you're not racing, you're silly for even thinking about this. my advice on weights is to wake up, take a dump, follow with coffee and breakfast and try to take another dump before leaving. that actually might make a difference.

datlas 

OK I will take the bait....

Get some butyl tubes.

BikeWise1

I love my latex tubes. I have been running the same pair for 4 years. They ride nicer, IMO. Don't hold air worth a flip, but they've been impervious to flats. I don't care about the weight given the wheels I run. Unless you're a racer, wheel weight is over emphasized anyway.....

lukasz

I don't care about weight either, and I can tell the difference in ride quality. Too bad these tubes are so fragile. Maybe it is the brand. I don't NEED latex tubes. We don't really need very many things.

So, funny story, reminding me why I started this thread: last night I am going to bed and I hear a pop and a hiss. That sounds like a tire popping, I thought, but why would it just randomly happen? I go check on my bikes and the front latex tube on the one bicycle running them has gotten a hole... from standing in the hallway of my apartment building. I don't have any properly sized tubes so I stuck in another latex tube before I went to bed. I woke up this morning and it was flat. Friggin' hilarious.

That Johnson and Johnson baby powder also has fragrance. It could possibly make the tubes even more fragile. Unfortunately I've run out of time to experiment. This bicycle is coming with me on a one month trip tomorrow. Back to butyl.

Triguy

You're doing something wrong. I have ridden latex tubes on one of my bikes for 3 years now and had no such experience. I use Michelin latex tubes. The only problem I've heard is of any latex tubes is Vittorias which have a habit of separating at the valve stem.

Make sure you check that none of the tube is inbetween the tire and the rim after the tire is on the rim, or that you can even see the tube when slightly pulling back the tire; i.e. the tube should be completely hidden in the tire; inflate to ~25 psi and check around again to make sure the tube isn't pinched. Yeah it's a lot of work but latex tubes are expensive and changing a tire takes time.

Otherwise, I see butyl in your future.

merlinextraligh

because you never know where your tires have been, or who they've been with.

merlinextraligh

+1. Also are you using tools to install the tire? In my experience Latex tubes are more sensitive to mishandling, and easier to puncture when you're working with them. If you're not already putting the tire on with just hands you should.

lukasz

I do all of this to butyl and latex tubes. No tools, either. After all these flats I assure you that I have also become quite proficient at doing this quickly. I've never pinched a tube. These holes are simply from the tube being rubbed open on Velox cloth tape, which is a bit maddening (it isn't an individual piece of tape either, as it has happened in two different wheels on three different strips of tape.) No need to be smarmy, buddy.

What do you mean by separating? These are Vittorias. They do not separate at the little butyl patch which surrounds the valve stem, but some of them have gotten rubbed open near the valve stem. I believe Michelin latex tubes are thicker and pretty heavy for latex, hence why I avoided them. Maybe I'll give them a shot.

nutt

I have read your thread and I know you think the tubes are getting rubbed by the rim tape, so this is kind of a longshot, but here you go. I once had about 4 or 5 consecutive flats with butyl tubes, and I could not figure out why. I had carefully inspected the tire and rim tape many times. Finally I found the culprit. It was a really, really tiny piece of metal embedded in the rubber. We have all had this happen but this was damn near microscopic. I did not notice it the first dozen or so times I looked at the tire. Just a suggestion, you may have something very small stuck in the tire.

Triguy

Not trying to be smart, trying to be helpful. Vittoria's had what they called a "bad batch" maybe a year or two ago where the tubes were seperating or blowing out near where the valve stem connected.

It maybe more work than it's worth but you could maybe try Veloplugs with a couple layers of electrical tape holding them in place. Lots of Weightweenies use the veloplugs with success and like the fact that they aren't nearly as bulky as cloth tape. Usually people put some electrical tape over to keep things in place.