squatchy

So , I did a search on this and the most recent thread was in 06.

I'm sure things have changed since then. What is your experience with latex -vs-butyl tubes?

Conjecture is pretty much worthless. It would be great to hear from you guys who have experience. The cost isn't a concern here. Neither is race performance. I'm a fat old man who tries hard and rides a lot. I'm just interested mostly in ride quality. Falts would be second and spin up third.

Thanks in advance

Ryan

datlas 

I did some research on this a couple of years ago. It's totally subjective. Some people will swear the ride is smoother and more supple, others say it's all placebo. I bought a pair of latex tubes to try last year but have been too lazy to install them.

Oh, and I do recall they seem to be more popular with the tri folks, you might want to search on slowtwitch or similar sites.

chaadster

The huge gains afforded by tubeless have really rendered the latex question academic.

That said, although I have run latex and think it feels slightly better, I wouldn't wager even a dollar trying to guess by riding whether a bike was fitted with 'em or not.

I was mightily frustrated by the rapid leak down, and when one started leaking from the valve stem base, I swapped them out for butyl and never looked back, well, except for the hybrid latex/butyl Panaracer R'Air tubes I run in one backup wheel set. The best thing about R'Airs, though, is that for rolled, spare tubes, they're the lightest and smallest I've seen yet, so they're great for maximizing space in a seat bag.

Homebrew01

I would consider latex tubes for race day, otherwise, why bother ?

bikerjp

I got some too but also too lazy. Curious to know more.

f4rrest

+1

I run butyl in the tires, but the spare is latex due to the small rolled up size.

WalksOn2Wheels

By the by, lightweight butyl tubes pack down about as small as a latex tube.

rpeterson

I race on latex tubes, I've done some testing myself and they're consistently faster than butyl and fall in with all the other testing I've found.

They're expensive as Hell though, so I only race on them, no reason to use them for everyday riding, just when you want that extra half watt.

hueyhoolihan

i can't say for sure but i don't think latex tubes have changed as of 2006.

StanSeven

Lots of advantages including lower rolling resistance. That translates into more speed or less energy needed for the same speed. The disadvantages are two - costs more and you have to inflate daily.

mpath

My LBS advises against using latex tubes on carbon wheels due to potentially excessive heat build up. Seems to make sense but don't know if that's universally accepted.

Homebrew01

How did you test them ?

knobster

I haven't noticed any ride quality difference with them. I don't like having to pump the stupid things up every day I ride though. I'd rather stick with Butyl.

cccorlew

I run latex tubes. I installed them for a big ride where I did everything to save a gram or that might have any positive mojo effect.
They may give a better ride, but it's hard to really say. I think they do, but is it because I want them to, or do they? Who knows.

My friend says they don't flat as easily. Again, I call luck and voodoo, yet here I am in flat-prone land, but haven't had but one flat since I installed them.

FasterNearGirls

I hate them and will give you 3 I have.
The amount of air loss / pressure drop can be so huge (like 30 psi by next day) that it makes me think of how much it will drop during a ride/day/race and I over inflate at first.
The ride feels a little nicer due to the lower rolling resistance consequent of the elasticity and deformation properties. But you get halfway there with light butyl tubes that don't leak.
Latex asplodes. Seriously though, had one tube explode on me during a sprint on a Tuesday night training ride last year and I did 2 front flips. It was in a carbon clincher but I wasn't braking.
Only time they are worth it is for an uphill time trial.
Even on tubular tires I'm sticking with butyl over latex given the pressure loss issue.

531Aussie

I once read that latex (at least, the lighter varieties) is so supple and "conformative" that's more like to squeeze through tyre cuts or find its way out under slightly loose tyre beads. True?
Maybe that's why it's more likely to ass'plode

kleng

The ride on latex is definitely more supple, but you need to team it with a good light weight clincher with a high 320 - 350tpi thread count to really notice any improvement in ride quality, but then it's really due the combination of the tyre and tube.

A latex tube into a normal tyre is not going do much, other than get you pump it up more often.

Ice41000

I tried latex tubes on MTB long time ago. They were lighter than butyl and tires felt more supple, but when punctured/pinch-flatted they failed catastrophically - there were no holes, but huge rips. There was no way repair them.
I didn't try them on road, and I won't.

RPK79

My wife is allergic to latex so I use butyl or sheepskin.

merlinextraligh

"Laytex" tubes? Better disease prevention.

RPK79

I think they meant "Playtex" brand.

rpeterson

I've never had one with a big tear, I've gotten punctures and they end up as larger holes, but they're easy to repair with a normal glue on patch kit. Hell you could probably just use a latex glove and some glue.

As for testing them I just do CRR testing on rollers Tom Anhalt does a good job of figuring out the process, and I just do what he does.

Blather 'bout Bikes: Tire Crr testing on Rollers - The Math

datlas 

Ribbed, for her pleasure??

spectastic

I raced on my first latex tubulars on carbon wheels several weeks ago. I didn't notice a big difference in ride quality. I was noticing more the deep dish wheels with the crosswind, and the high pressure I was running with the tubulars.

and yes, the fast pressure drop is a painin the ass

Trucker Dan

I only run latex tubes. They seem to have a nicer road feel, but it could be in my head. I live in an area with nice roads, I usually only get about 1 flat a year. If you get lots of flats they would be cost prohibitive. I've tried to patch holes with a piece of old latex tube and tubular glue with limited success. Latex tubes are also very easy to accidentally pinch when installing.