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Recommended Tire pressure?

Joe MatchetteJoe Matchette
in Racing Forum 🏎

I plan on using the following for Kona:

  • Bontrager R4Aero tires
  • Vittoria latex tubes
  • Front is a 404 w/ aluminum brake track
  • Rear is an 808 w/ aluminum brake track

I normally inflate my tires to 110-115 (and then take the pump off which leaves them at 100-105....), but I am not sure if those are the numbers I should be running here at Kona.

Also, how bad an idea is it to not have ever ridden long with latex?  I will be getting the tubes today (hopefully!), but haven't installed them yet.  The adage: Nothing New on Race Day is staring me in the face which is causing me to second guess putting in the latex tubes.....

Thanks,

Joe

PS - I can't find WJ's post about the benefits of latex tubes so I don't know how many watts I can expect to "get" by using latex tubes

Comments

  • Scott AlexanderScott Alexander

    It just so happens to be here:

    members.endurancenation.us/Training...fault.aspx

  • William JenksWilliam Jenks
    There's nothing bad about having not ridden the latex tubes before. You'll either notice a slight difference in feel or you won't. But if you do, it's a good one, i.e., a little smoother. However, the difference in road quality is a WAY bigger thing.

    The one thing I would warn though, it to get them in your tires right away. They are just a little trickier to seat properly because the rubber is just a little tacky snd stretchier. (Some are packaged with a bit of talc for this reason.) You want to give yourself a zero-pressure situation of getting them in there and inflated rather than getting frustrated about doing it wrong under pressure the first time on Friday. :-)

    I am a little more careful about doing partial inflation (e.g., to ~30 lbs or something) and squeezing around the tire to make sure the thing is sitting just right before inflating them all the way than I am with butyl tubes. I've had a couple just blow on me because I was a little sloppy and something was pinched or folded. Entirely my fault.
  • Scott AlexanderScott Alexander
    Just put my pink latex tubes on my zipps with the new Corsa tires too. Going to take them for a spin today with my local tri team to 1) see how they roll and 2) see how I've held up after getting back from Aspen.
  • Joe MatchetteJoe Matchette
    I got the tubes installed today and gave them a test ride. Can't really tell a difference, but I also have never ridden this course before.

    I had them pumped up to 110 in back and 105 in the front. Is that about right?

    Thanks!
  • William JenksWilliam Jenks
    Yup. On a tri bike, you can pump them equally. Assuming you're not a huge guy that 105 ish range is about right. 110 won't hurt.
  • johansenjohansen
    And don't use latex tubes as spare tubes. Much easier to put on a butyl when your in a hurry.
  • zildgenzildgen
    William, What would you consider a huge guy. I go anywhere from 250-260 and usually run 110 psi front and rear. Should I be running higher or lower?
  • Paul ScholzPaul Scholz

    Dewey you and I are in the same range and Vittoria stats suggest us running at 120-125 F and B same pressure. That's how I ran at Augusta 70.3, which has crappy roads, and I didn't feel beat up and temp at end of bike on Joule said 100 degrees.

  • John WithrowJohn Withrow
    Joe-- I was 185lbs race weight at IMLou and I ran ~115-118psi in the front and rear. Kona roads are much smoother. I think in the Coach P Race prep thread the consensus was 120 front and rear after much discussion, http://members.endurancenation.us/Training/TrainingForums/tabid/101/aft/7234/Default.aspx but I think he is a bit heavier than you, so you might back it off a few PSI from that to like 115.

    Also, make sure to have Butyl spare tubes. not just because they're more sensitive to install under a pressured race situation, but I've also heard that they don't take the CO2 well. I'm not sure if it's the cold temperature or the chemical reaction, but why take a chance with that. Also, be sure to pump your tires on race morning and not the night before as the latex tubes will actually lose a decent amount of air over night.

    Have a great race man!
  • kjanracingkjanracing
    can you patch a latex tube?
  • Joe MatchetteJoe Matchette
    @Everyone - thanks for the info! I have two spare butyl tubes onboard (one in the 'behind the seat post' airfoil thingy for Speed Concepts, and one taped up under the seat) I am sure I won't need two, but I will take the weight penalty just for peace of mind.
  • Chris GChris G
    yes you can patch a latex tube but remember that you cant use co2 to inflate one as it will leak out very quickly. Best to have butyl spares. I find it very unlikely that anyone would be able to feel the difference between latex and butyl tubes. I certainly can't tell. But then people claim to be able to feel the differences in things that I never can. If you think you can I suggest we do a blind taste test kind of thing some time. It will be fun.
  • Al TruscottAl Truscott

    @ Joe - Why not put a spare tube in your special needs bag, along with another CO2 cartridge? 

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