caloso

I just had this issue.

redlude97

I don't understand the issue, i always use latex with removable cores and extenders, and keep a long valve butyl spare in the repair kit

jamesdak 

OMG, I'm gonna die! I'm running Latex Tubes in 8 sets of either Fulcrum or Campagnolo wheels. Most of which see long climbing rides and fast descents regularly.

jamesdak 

I just don't get all the angst over using latex. Been running them in a majority of my wheels for years and it's really just no big deal.

Heck, I even went back and checked my records and I had them in my Madone both years I ran the Tour of Park City. Lot's of fast descending and hard braking on that ride including totally screwing up on the same horseshoe curve both years. The second year was the first time I actually saw smoke coming off my rim brakes as I overcooked the turn again. I survived and so did the latex tubes.

datlas 

Oh great. Now not only do we have to worry about crabon fiber asploding but our latex tubes too!

Abe_Froman

I think thats right. If i'm not mistaken, it uses like a diamond tread steel drum...kinda like what you would see on industrial staircases.

I'm sort of surprised nobody has taken a molding of an asphalt road somewhere and rolled it up into a cylinder. It really cant be that complicated.

Regardless...I think the steel drum the site uses, while not smooth, is still MOSTLY smooth, and would probably be kinder to higher pressures than a road would. Of course thats all speculation though.

The pressure comparisons should probably be taken with a hefty grain of salt. The tire comparisons though should be pretty spot on.

Rides4Beer

So carbon + latex = instant death??

gregf83 

Your improving fitness is most of any change you noticed. Latex tubes might get you a few watts which won't result in anything close to .8mph. Going from 23.6 to 24.4 requires about 10% extra power which latex won't provide.

If you're going to do comparisons between butyl and latex or latex at different tire pressures it takes careful measurements under controlled conditions as the differences are relatively small.

Rides4Beer

My improving fitness comment was in regards to my new PR. My 23.6 vs 24.4 rides were two days apart. Altho, the faster ride was shorter, 21 vs 35 miles (same 7 mile loop, 3 laps vs 5), but it was also in the evening after work so I was tired and it was hotter (35 mile ride was first thing Sat morning). There's also the psychological effect, maybe I was riding harder because I was feeling good about the new tires/tubes (I also switched to Conti TT tires at the same time)? Looking at BRR, it's about a 10w gain for tires & tubes together.

Def not a scientific comparison, but they're def faster/smoother, by how much is always debatable.

alcjphil

So, you changed both tires and tubes at the same time. This makes it impossible to tell which made the bigger difference. My guess is that the tires were more significant to your improvement
As for latex inner tubes, my Michelin latex tubes have been just fine for everyday riding. Not knowing any better, I installed them exactly the same way I did for butyl inner tubes. They hold air pretty well, I can ride them a second day without needing to reinflate. As for durability, about 4 years with no flats, they actually have outlasted a couple of sets of tires.

bbbean 

Yes. I die a little on every ride.

woodcraft

Why so many folks are running 130psi these days...

Rides4Beer

Yeah, def no way to tell which one made the bigger difference, but as a package, they work very well together. My only real questions were regarding the tubes, since they were an unknown for me. Nothing to worry about with the tires, except that they don't offer as much puncture protection, but that's the price you pay for speed.


First race of the summer TT series tomorrow night, hoping to avg over 25mph, we'll see how it goes. It's a 10 mile course, on the same loop I did my test runs on, but out and back instead of the full 7 mile loop, so I guess it'll depend on how fast I can get through the turnaround. I don't have a power meter, so I'll go hard on the way out, but not all out, and then burn everything I have left on the way back. In running at least, I always like an out and back, something clicks in your head when you know you're on the way back.

rubiksoval

The point of latex is not low weight. It's rolling reaistance.

noodle soup

Why not use GP5000 tubeless?

Rides4Beer

Don't want to mess with tubeless. Plus the CRR is still lower with the TT tires and latex.

noodle soup

That's not what I saw on BRR.com, but I don't think they test with latex tubes.

I understand your trepidation with tubeless. I tried it 5 years ago, and it just seemed like a big expensive hassle, but now I'm sold on it.

randallr

Thanks for this thread. I'm starting to use latex and the observations by experienced users were quite helpful.

Rides4Beer

They did a test with the GP4K and latex tubes and it was about 2w better than the butyl tubes. Going off of that, latex tubes with the TT tires puts it about .5w better than the GP5KTL. Splitting hairs at that point, but the TT tire with a latex tube is probably one of the fastest clincher setups available so I figured I'd go with that since I'm not ready for tubeless yet. I'm where you were 5 years ago, just seems like a lot of hassle, maybe I'll give it a try on one of my other wheelsets, all three are tubeless compatible, so that's good at least.

If anyone is curious, I raced very poorly tonight lol It was my first TT and I redlined right out of the gate and blew up spectacularly But the tires/tubes performed great!

noodle soup

Been there, done that.

It's hard to start your first few TTs, without charging out like your balls are on fire.

Rides4Beer

The good thing is that I can only improve from here! Plus it's nice that it's a local series, so I can train on the course. Looking forward to doing better next month!

dmanthree

They're pink. When you flat out and everyone sees that pink tube they'll make fun of you.

datlas 

Michelins are celeste, if color matters.

Rides4Beer

I'm safe, mine are green

dmanthree

Ah. The color of the Milan sky.

Acceptable.