Latex tubes

[Dombo]

Anybody use these or have an opinion on them? chainreaction have them on special at not much more than decent butyl ones and I thought they might match my new Pro Race 3s - the Conti 4000S's are getting a bit ragged.
Also, can normal road tubes be patched and used safely? I have loads hanging in my garage that i've not used again for fear the high pressures would blow the patch.

[Sylv]

I prefer them. They are noticeably more comfortable (especially than lightweight thin butyl ones), and fairly light. They are meant to also have lower rolling resistance, less friction with the inside of the tire.

Saying that they can be a faff to fit, make sure they are not pinched within the tire when installing (best done at home not roadside) and they can be prone to blowing up unexpectedly, and very loudly. When this happens the hole is usually too large to be mendable.

The Michelin ones I used to use but they are not that all good and quite fragile especially near the valve, have got some Vittorias now which seem fine. What are CRC discounting?

Oh and I’ve got tubes with about 15 patches ..

and finally, hello to Bing [bot] our faithful reader.

[Dombo]

[quote="Sylv"] What are CRC discounting?

[John the old'un]

Take care with CRC. See this link:
http://www.timetriallingforum.co.uk/ind ... opic=55164

[DavidKennett]

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12762479]CRC card fraud[/url]

Latex tubes give a very nice, fast feel to a ride if used with decent tyres. with the [url=http://www.bikebitsuk.com/michelin-latex-short-valve-inner-tube-p-824.html]Michelin tubes[/url] don't pump them up outside the wheels, they'll stretch and you'll find the circumference bigger than the wheel!! Never had problems with these blowing up. As Sylv says, take care fitting the tyre, best done by hand.

Good [url=http://www.addiscombe.org/members/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=11129&hilit=veloflex&start=4]search[/url] facility on here to.

[Dombo]

[quote="DavidKennett"] don't pump them up outside the wheels, they'll stretch and you'll find the circumference bigger than the wheel!!

[Jon H]

On the downside, latex tubes leak like a leaky thing, so you have to pump your tyres up every couple of days. Waste of time unless it's on your best race wheels.

[Phil H]

Apparently CRC have [url=http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/03/25/chain_reaction_fraud_follow_up/]put their hands up to the fraud and fixed the leak[/url]. Sounds like they've done the right thing.