Latex Tubes = Best Value Upgrade? | Tech Q's | Cycling Weekly 

4:05 - Baby powdering (Talcum powder) the inside of the tire and the outside of the latex inner tube makes them slide very easily on each other (dry lubing). When you combine this with your recommendation of "slightly inflating the tube before installing", it becomes a MUCH easier and risk-free job. It also helps maintain the latex and the tire in the long run. Just my 2c.

How is there not a "Resistance is Butyl" ad campaign by one of the latex tube manufacturers?!

I've used latex tubes for a couple of years. Saved many flats due to being more pliant. Definitely better like they roll better too. I always pump tyres up before a ride anyway.

They work really well + recommend. But only use say from April/May - end of October. Benefits are at nice ride. And makes bikes very comfortable in helping to absorbs bumps +less harsh ride if you have a particularly harsh bike etc. Buy when on sale means you can get them for 5.99. Downside - it needs to be pumped before every ride.

What about tubeless tires?!?! Can you do a follow up comparison between latex and tubeless?

Also fair to say that they are easier to repair than butyl tubes, have fixed loads of punctures in mine which at a tenner a tube is a must !

My experience with latex innertubes has been very positive. I've been using Vredestein Race Latex (49 g with 60 mm valve) with Continental GP 4000 S II and Hutchinson Fusion 5 Galactik. There hasn't been a single flat tyre in 10000 kilometers, until recently, when I hit a nasty asphalt edge (which would have damaged a butyl tube as well). They ride more smoothly than butyl and their sound is different as well. You should inflate them to your intended pressure every day you ride. Be careful when mounting them; once the tube partly got stuck underneath the tyre bead and when inflating it, suddenly a very thin bubble appeared and exploded with very loud bang.

Some of my friends run tubeless & I have to say if that if the rim & tire match well then there are less chances for problems but not always & the kicker for tubeless is that if you do get a flat that doesn't seal up...the backup is to put a tube in. I've ridden latex for many years without problems aside from the normal flat that one gets on occasion. Its a worthwhile investment in cheap speed because you are reducing rotational weight while also gaining a smoother ride. The one thing that I find that helps during installation is talcum powder. Lots of of it.

Very thorough, analytical, and not circumstantial. I really enjoy you guys.

I regularly use latex tubes just simply for the fact that there is a noticeable change in comfort over butyl when paired with most decent tires. Particularly improves the feel of GP4000S II which otherwise feel pretty dead.

Ollie; another EXCELLENT video analysis. I will now use latex tubes for TT's and other specific events depending on my set-up. Thanks. Your channel is always useful and enjoyable.

What about patching latex inner tubes? I 've never had problems with patched ones even on long descents though I would avoid it if you use your brakes for too long. Reduced weight and a noticeable gain in comfort were the reasons I used them before switching to tubeless tires on my racebike. Sudden blow out when you have a tiny hole in the sidewall seems the biggest disadvantage IMO. Michelin Prorace 4 tubulars have latex inner tubes and are supercomfy!

He forgot two important benefits. Increased puncture resistance and that as they are more flexible it gives the tire a better ability to absorb imperfections, ie more comfort.

I use latex on all my aluminium wheels, even in winter! I'm living north east of France so the conditions are tougth for the tubes. Most off them are over 4 years old and they are like new. The brand I use is Michelin but I'm sure other brands are as good. The feeling with latex is so much better! I can't say about speed, but the confort and the plaisure are far ahead from butyl. Make sure you place a lot of talc on them when you get them in the tire!!!

There was another variation 30+ years ago. The tube was see-through, lighter than latex and also less porous. The only downside was the special glue you needed and the initial cost of the tube.

Worth mentioning talcing tubes when installing - this process can also add to tube performance over- all.

Tubolito. Best of both worlds, resilient like butyl jet lighter then latex. Tried latex in the '90s once and never again. Tubolito is the solution for innertubes. Personally switched to Mavic's UST this year, with Tubolito as spare. Pleased test Tubolito, it would be interesting!

I definitely think so. The ride seems so much more comfortable and there's weight saving but downside is pumping up for every ride. But where is the other glove?

5 Watts per tyre! I can't work out any reason not to put them on my summer road bike (especially seeing as it has discs).

the Borg; Resistance is Butyl.

Latex is porous! So that explains little Billy...

That is a nitrile glove, not latex ;)

Please test the Tubolito tubes! :)

use baby powder to prevent the tube from sticking to the tire. Also i would say it's more resistant to pinch flat

I use the smooth shafts of vittoria latex pink witches so long as I can get them on without immediately flatting it during installation

Would be cool to see a video looking at the various cleat/pedal systems, with this kind of in depth approach.

Kudos for having a Scott Foil in the background. My bike, haha. P.S. Love your anecdotes Ollie.

Spot on ! Only to say that latex ones because are more flexible they adapting whit the tyre when cornering adding more grip.

I tried them in the early 90's on my mountain bike. One of the selling points was that they were allegedly more puncture resistant because they deform better than butyl when an object goes through the tyre.

Thanks for the video! It’s great to see these kinds of tests being done so my inner geek can sleep well at night instead of wondering if all these claims are really true. It would’ve been good to see the roller test done against a Conti supersonic inner tube as I have heard they are as fast as latex tubes. Also another advantage to lay text tubes is liquid sealants seem to work better than they do with butyl tubes

What about the polymer ie. Tubolito 38g** per tube and tougher than butyl apparently. Best of both worlds or marketing hype?

As an everyday rider on public roads. I use these tubes in front tyre only. Still notice the gains in doing so.

I kept starring on that DT SWISS disc wheel, looks awesome

Useful to know although I think I will stick to standard tubes mainly for reliability. It sounds as if these are more fragile and prone to puncture more frequently. It would be interesting to do a comparison, what life expectancy these have compared to a standard tube. Probably best to stick to standard for training and these if you are racing.

Aarrgh! 4:13 you guys missed the most important bit: pushing the tire -- oops, tyre -- across the rim (in both directions) in order to seat the partially-inflated tube properly before serious inflation begins. I thought this was well-known SOP. It's no good just looking to see if the tube is trapped as you can't always see.

Although your science only comparatively tested the watt differential between latex and butyl tubes, I would have liked to have seen a real world downhill rolling test as well. More people I think can visually relate to that than a wattage difference done on rollers. Just a thought 🤔

I'd more worried tubeless losing air and burping on descent than tubulars. Tubulars are pro's choice

Great video. +1 on tubeless tires vs latex tubes

Would you say the latex tube is the Der-rig-ur of inner tubes ? 👍

Summer bike has latex tubes, carry butyl tubes for spares as latex is a faf at the roadside. latex tubes are a worthless investment if you are running cheap and poor quality tyres. best combo is Vittoria/specialized cotton tyres with latex due to the cotton casing of the tyre making it much more pliable to the road surface. 1 puncture in 3000km on Vittoria and latex(touches wood) Yes a downside of pumping a tyre up every day but should be standard practice for any rider to check things like that.

Would love to see this test redone with the third tubeless with sealant option. 10W is huge.

I use latex tubes with challenge open tubular tyres they are almost identical in feel to the tubs I used in the sixties and early seventies. As to the inference that they are prone to heat up and explode on descents this is a tad misleading it would need a very long decent in quite hot weather something not very prevalent in Great Britain , in normal English or should I say British conditions this is not a problem at all , they are also much more resistant to pinch flats and normal punctures his is due to the very nature of the latex itself As it forms around any foreign object that penetrates the tyre . All in all they are an excellent choice given the right tyres , fit them carefully and they are a real Buzz.

Please make a video on how to properly install these. Since watching the video I have 3 tries. And no success.

Like in other parts of life latex is just providing the best feel in the experience. Thats for me the main reason!

If you are this hardcore to go latex over butyl.... Go with tubular. Great video.

Do that test for tubeless Tubulars love them 😂 better for braking . In the end tubeless is better for environment. I use tubulars on 1300m descents due to I know roads are clean from rubbish and alternate wheelset. Have never had puncture yet .

I'm trying to find out if the trek 730 I have has latex tubes because it looks worn & threaded, it sticks out of the tire, & is brown. The bike was given to me to start riding so I'm trying to figure out the deets. Thanks!

Great overview, thanks!

I would like to see comparison against tubeless.

Great info, just what I needed! Thanks for doing this!!!

I've used those vittoria latex inner tubes in my cx and road bike and I like the way they ride but after some months they seem to go flat really easy.

I thought components being limited to pros was banned by the UCI? so why are those continentals pro only?

Where do they get these figures from? Standard butyl tube on wiggle is £2-£3 and vittoria latex tubes are £7.

I believe the road tubeless done right like Magic Ksyriunm

I have 25 mm Tubeless Pro One tires mounted on a 21mm inner rim and disc brake, and of course, thru axles all the way. My bike is future-proof as well as bombproof! Nice video though! Was curious about a latex tube, but no thanks.

Should have tested the rolling resistance on the road instead. Smooth rollers don’t really give a accurate representation. And would have been great tested against super light butyl tubes as well like the Supersonics

Great breakdown! Thanks.

What if you ride fixed gear with no breaks ?

Great video, but what about using sealant inside a latex tube?

Latex should be reserved for prophylactics. Go bare back (tubeless) it's the only way to ride.

"Your rims can heat up" Still dont get why people buy rims worth thousands to slowly wear them down. Disc brakes are the future.

I have seen some wheel manufacturers recommend only butyl tubes for their wheelsets (e.g. Mavic Cosmic CXR). Is there a reason why latex tubes wouldn't work in some clincher wheelsets?

Are they really more fragile? I've used them all winter. Latex has better deformation properties than Butyl so theoretically is better resistance to punctures......?

Reminds me of the good old 'Geronimo' back in my day!!

Latex tubes ride more smoothly and grip better too. It’s subtle but definitely there.

Is it also through that the risk on a puncture is less because of the flexibilitie of the latex tube?. And I have heard that the ride comfort is better with latex tubes.

Could you use a rubber grease on Latex tubes to increase their performance and durability?

Good stuff! Next step, tubeless and tubular!

Ollie, that's a nitrile glove, not latex ;)

I don’t get it that a price difference of only £5 per tire is put so much emphasis on, given the low absolute amount and the even lower relative amount compared to the price of bike and gear.

How about doing the same test with butyl tube and talcum power lightly coated inside the tire. Did that help with rolling resistance?

but why does latex have a lower rolling resistance?

The roller test is not fully representative of real riding conditions because there is no aerodynamic drag from forward motion. This means that the speed that the wheels are spinning is much faster, than if the rider were doing the same wattage out on the road. The 10 watt savings in rolling resistance is real, but not at 300 watts, it's at the speed which was measured on the rollers.

Another downside of latex tubes are longer braking distances

How about aerothan thermoplastic tube from Schwalbe?

Is there anything wrong with using latex tubes on a carbon clincher rim if you're not doing long descents? My lbs advised against it but I think that might have been because the latex tubes I had were too narrow for my tyres (think you can get away with this more with butyl than with latex?).

Tubular tyres with tubes.... my head gonna explode :o)

Whould you consider the latex for an Ironman? Using carbon clinchers wheels. And 150 pounds weight

What’s an inner tube?

Great olly! Best tubevid on youtube 💪🏽😎

Helped my decision thank you 😊

You mentioned Conti Supersonic Butyl tubes (50 grammes)...are they worth it ???

I’m pretty sure that blue glove is made of nitrile , not latex....

Come on CW, don't give away all the secrets of experienced cyclists'! I've been using Michelin latex tubes for years and not telling my cycling buddies the secret, but if they all switch to latex, I'll lose my marginal gain!

inb4 Ollie takes latex tubes and hits Sa Colobra for the 3rd time #marginal gains

can you repair latex tube with patches?

I tried latex tubes and they are not that durable! I'd rather have a dependable butyl tube than a fast latex tube but i'm always at the side of the road.

Doesnt this guy work for GCN?

What sort of riding do you need to do as an amateur for 10 watts to become hugely significant ?

like latex tubes a lot, more comfort, lower weight, rolls bettar

I’m enjoying the bike so far ru-vid.comUgkxMesz3KOGEmwmvyKQfLfrRSUXLFzfVHZA My only real complaints are the brakes and the pedals. I feel like a bike designed for bigger people should have much larger pedals and more heavy duty brakes. I’ve only gotten two really good rides out of it, minimal downhill action, and the brakes feel like they’re already going out. A larger person has more momentum, so I think this wasn’t thought through very well. Also, I wear size 13-14 wide shoes. My feet cramp up on these pedals that are clearly made for smaller feet. Since I’m not a pro rider (and I don’t think many are who purchase this bike) I don’t think that the straps on the pedal are necessary at all. None of this takes away from the enjoyment I get from riding, however. I’ll just head to a bike shop to improve on a few things.

can u patch a latex tube?

Which tyres were used in the test?

If things start to go a little stale the introduction of latex will always liven up a ride.

This video is 4 years old, has anything changed????

My own experience with latex inner tubes is a lot of punctures/pinch flats

Hi is it ok to ask you a question i got sent the wrong size tpu inner tube do you think it will be ok 700x32 on a 700x38 bike tyre thanks

So if you have tubs with latex tubes and rim brake so you have to worry about heat from your brakes? Better let the pros know ASAP

I feel sorry to the Latex tube brand for didn't pay GCN to promote their product.

Smart and informative!