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Latex Tube Life

harrastharrast
in General Training Discussions

I run latex tubes in my race wheels, which I use infrequently.  I got my race wheels out this week for a ride and inflated the front tire, which exploded after about 4 seconds.  The tube somehow pushed between the sidewall and the rim and BANG!  Okay, so I install another latex tube and everything is fine.  Next I inflate the back tire and everything seems fine, until after my ride.  After my ride I put my bike in the car, go into Subway for a sandwich, and when I come back the back tire is blown.  Well, at least it didn't go bang while I was riding down the highway.  Both of the tubes have been in the tires for about a year, and I would guess their mileage is around 300-500 miles.  I also deflate the tires after a race and store them in wheel bags with little or no pressure.  In spite of my care, do latex tubes only last one year?   Is this what you have experienced?  

Comments

  • mgraffeomgraffeo
    Steve, I've got a latex tube in my front race wheel (used 3-8 times a year) that I installed right before IMLP 2010, and haven't touched since.

    my n=1 experience
  • Scott AlexanderScott Alexander
    On the other end to Mike, I have latex in my race zipps, and hadn't used them since IMAZ2011. None of them would hold any air, including the spare on my shelf, so I had to ditch them all.
  • tgarsontgarson
    Definitely a limited half life on latex tubes, but a lot depends on whether you remove them and how you store them. For the most part, they seem to last longer if you just leave them in the wheel. If you remove them, you run a pretty good risk of damaging them in the process (in my experience) and then you have to be careful about storing them. If you want them to last, store them in a cool shaded place in a ziploc bag with the air squeezed out. This will hopefully prevent the latex from drying out too much and becoming brittle.

    See my thread about Latex woes for removal / installation tips: http://members.endurancenation.us/Forums/tabid/57/aft/12130/Default.aspx

    My final 2 cents on this topic though. I don't remove latex after a race any more. I don't really trust a latex I've removed, stored and re-installed for an A-race. So by removing them you are basically throwing them away. In that case, leave them in, ride them and until they pop. You may as well enjoy a smoother faster ride in training and prove to yourself that they don't really flat any more often than butyl by validating this through training miles.
  • Coach RichCoach Rich

    I view latex tubes as a race-day solution only. Just the CoB to use a tube once and potentially toss it afterwards.

    Tubes and tires, in general: "If in doubt, toss it out." Bicycles have such ludicrously inexpensive maintenance costs, compared to other things/hobbies, that I don't think twice to throw away a tube, put on a new tire, etc. 

  • harrastharrast
    Agreed. It seems like (for me at least) latex is delicate and has a very limited life. I've have very bad luck with reusing latex tubes (removed one to add teflon tape to the valve extender and it blew as soon as I inflated it). As a related question, I'm still figuring out valve extenders. First, it looks like Michelin Aircomp (latex) do not have removable valves. I tried and failed to get the valve out with an old tube. Ended up with little metal pieces in the palm of my hand. Do Vittorias or others have removable valves? That brings me to the next issue, when I installed my new latex tube a week ago, I used teflon tape to seal the valve extender. Apparently, I put too much tape on and the valve will no longer operate, so I can't add air to the tire. I read in another forum that I should put on a lot of teflon tape, but I think that strategy failed. Finally, I have been ordering my Michelin Aircomp latex tubes on line from probikekit for about $15/each including shipping in lots of 2. I have no complaint with this, but it does take about 10 days to ship from the UK. Anybody have a better source? Okay, thanks all.
  • robin sarnerrobin sarner

    remember to use liberal talc powder.       

    no better source for the Michelins that I know of.         Use Topeak valve extenders.    Very slick with no valve core change needed and one still can close the valve.        

    I personally do not use tape with the Topeak or Problem Solvers for removable cores.    they are made to be used without tape.

    The Vittorias and the Vredestein have removable cores.

  • tgarsontgarson
    I ride the Vittoria latex's although maybe I should check out the Michelin's. In either case, I bought my last big batch of tubes, both butyl and latex from eBay. Not from like random people, but there are several eBay storefront type sellers that stock large quantities of tubes. Was the cheapest prices I could find at the time, especially without waiting for weeks to ship from the UK or something.
  • cgres123cgres123
    http://www.wheelbuilder.com/vittoria-valve-extenders.html

    How about this? it is local.
  • harrastharrast
    Tube update: I took the valve extender off the latex tube and found that the valve had twisted itself back into a closed position during my ride on Saturday.  So, the teflon tape was not the issue, it was the valve itself that had closed.  So, before I put on the valve extender this time, I gave the valve a little 1/4 turn past full open with a pair of pliers to damage the threads so that it couldn't rattle closed again.  As far as valve extenders with an exposed valve go, they can't be used with Michelins (Aircomp latex) because Michelin Aircomp latex valves are not removable.  I may have to switch to Vittoria latex tubes to get removable valves.
  • robin sarnerrobin sarner
    Again, get the topeak extenders.
  • William JenksWilliam Jenks
    I agree with Rich about tossing when there's any doubt.

    My rule of thumb is that I only install latex tubes once. If they can stay in the wheel (e.g. a race-week only wheel), then I don't take it out and just use it for the whole year. I've had too many times where re-installing a latex tube ended badly.

    I will never buy a latex tube again that does not have removable valves. I don't even like the Topeak extenders. I go strictly with the ones that you move the valve core and I use plumbers tape. Just like a condom...every time. (except don't cover up the hole all the way like a condom....)

    It's my understanding that the Michelins will now have removable cores, but I haven't double-checked that story...just something the guy at my LBS told me.

    I also buy some of my spare butyls to have removable valve cores for the same reason...race day replacements are no good if you can't fill the tube!
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