Two Wheel Blogs

This will be my final installment of tire tech/latex tube. This post is a follow up to Part 1 and Part 2. I am confident that I have enough data to formulate a conclusion, and I will likely revisit the topic in the future (so this is a sort-of final conclusion).

I am taking the latex tubes off my bike today. Not because they failed or because I do not like them. The truth is, I like these so much that I am taking them off to preserve them for better times.

The recent weather (non-stop rain) has washed all sorts of garbage onto the roads. Every ride I go out and am constantly doing the hand drag on my tires to dislodge the garbage (hopefully before it augers into my tires). As some may recall, I have paired these latex tubes with my favorite tires (Mich Pro Race 3). While these tires really fit my liking, they can not be expected to last long on a trainer or on crappy roads. Further, why put latex tubes in a 25c kevlar belted training tire?

I have quite a few miles on the latex setup, so I feel that I can safely make some conclusions. I love them, and will use them anytime I use "race" tires. I try to avoid "always" and "never" because I change my mind frequently, but I think it is safe to say that right now I think I will always prefer the ride of latex tubes compared to butyl.

What I like
Latex tubes are durable. I have tested these tubes thoroughly on the harshest bumps I frequent (a certain set of tracks at a railway crossing at the bottom of a 40 MPH hill come to mind). The sharp shocks are muted considerably and I have had no pinch flats with latex. Softer ride, same air pressure, no added pinch flats…what more can you want?

I have managed to get several cuts in my tires from the road debris I was talking about. I have also picked a few shards of glass/rock/cinder out of these tires also, and none have resulted in a puncture. I am not sure if that is to the credit of the tube, the tire, or just plain luck. I feel compelled to credit luck, but also need to mention that I have had no tube-related failures thus far.

A few weeks is hardly a lifetime, nor is it enough to conclude proof that these tubes are more durable than butyl. However, I have ridden enough during these few weeks to determine that they seem no *less* durable than butyl.

Conclusion: Flat protection is a push. I can not imagine a valid test that could prove one superior to the other for puncture resistance. I think there may be inkling of merit to the claims I have heard regarding latex being superior for pinch-flat protection, but it is hard to ever know for sure.

Another thing I like is the ride. With latex tubes, these tires come to life. The feeling is subtle, but noticeable to the discriminating rider. I am not going to make any great claims here, but the vibration damping is greater with latex. I am not saying that there is anything wrong with butyl tubes, but latex just feels better (ever wonder why condoms are never offered in butyl?). Latex seems to beg for speed.

What I do NOT like
This is a small thing, but I have to complain about something or you might think I am being paid. These things loose air WAY more than butyl. I air my tires up prior to every ride, so it is not a big deal, but with latex there are at least 4 extra strokes of the pump to reach riding pressure. Typical bleed is about 15 PSI over 24 hours (in spite of the preferential Nitrogen fractionation). I suppose I could bitch that I now need a pump at home and at work to cover the days that I commute.

So there you have it. Nothing too exciting, but if you want to get the smoothest ride possible from your race clinchers without compromising on air pressure, try a set of latex tubes. You just might love them, but your pump will definitely get some more use.

Now, some of you may be thinking about the next step (Tubeless). I have been too (especially after that condom reference), but I think I will stick with this set up for my fast riding needs…it just feels right with very little extra hassle.