i use both michy and vredestein (lighter of the two) both are excellent. ive had a michy tube last 3 years and only because of a nail, if not i am sure it would have gone much longer.

Whats the deal with michy making them green and people talking about vred latex as natural latex is there a difference? fdegrove can you shed some light on this.

Hi,




Sure.

Natural latex inner tubes are not very uniform in wall thickness yielding a product with a rather "unindustrial" look.
On top of that latex is slightly opaque making the lack of uniformity of the product rather obvious, especially when the material is stretched a little.

To make it all more presentable to the public and to hide the discolouration of latex as it ages, some manufacturers decided to add pigmentation (same thing they add to colour tyres really) so the inner tube would look more even, smoother. More like a butyl one.

This extra processing however, makes latex more brittle, less stretchy. It also tears up more easily. Hence the "baggy" Michelins etc.

You won't find those pigmented latex inner tubes in tubulars as there the inner tube is hidden from the customer's sight so there's no reason for the extra processing.

I have no idea if there are measurable differences between the coloured and natural latex inner tubes but it wouldn't surprise me if there were. To me and some other users I talked to, pigmented latex loses a little of the typical qualities latex inner tubes are reknowned for, i.e. a plush, comfy ride making you feel "in touch" with the road surface.
Much like a fine tubular in fact.

Ciao,

_________________
Being a snob is an expensive hobby.

I found out not too long ago that in my front wheel I pinched the Michelin latex between the rim and the Pro 3 outer.
I used it like this for a year, daily, without problems. Amazing what they can take.
I only realized it after I crashed the wheel in an accident.

O Resident Oracle fdegrove!
What does a latex tube inside a Veloflex (tubular) look like?

_________________
Bianchi-Campagnolo

Hi,

The latex inner tubes as used inside tubulars are natural latex ones just like my fab fav Vredesteins.

Greetings, O Reindeer Rider,

_________________
Being a snob is an expensive hobby.

Indeed, recently was opening extreme, inner is like vred ones.

_________________
Cervelo R5 VWD 5637g/12.43lb
Cannyon Ultimate slx 5592g/12.33lb
Pronghorn XC SW Race 8284g/18.26lb

Thanks. Now where can I get some Vredesteins?

_________________
Bianchi-Campagnolo

http://www.excelsports.com/main.asp?pag ... 1&minor=31" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.realcyclist.com/vredestein-l ... ube-presta" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

stock up... i usually buy 4 or 5 at a time.

another thing to note, you can change the valve core in the vreds. but you can not on the michy latex.

Hi,

The cheapest place I know of:

http://www.vaneyckstore.be/nl/Banden/423-vredestein-binnenband-latex-50mm.html

http://www.fietsbandenexpert.nl/racefiets/28-inch/race-binnenbanden.html

http://www.xycle.nl/vredestein_binnenband_race_latex_60_mm_557

http://www.featherbikes.nl/vredestein-latex-binnenband-race.html

http://www.veelvoordefiets.nl/product_info.php?products_id=3525

http://www.bikesnparts.nl/Vredestein-Latex-Race-Binnenband-KV

About seven years ago there were just a couple of shops carrying latex inner inner tubes for road use. Someone's preaching must have helped....

Ciao,

_________________
Being a snob is an expensive hobby.

I seem to remember seeing a green latex tube inside a Zipp Tangente.. ? Hmm

_________________
12 Canyon Aeroad CF 9.0 ETE
12 Canyon Ultimate AL
11 Cervélo P2

Hi,

I doubt it as the Zipp tubs are made by Vittoria (Lions Thailand) and they use "unpigged" natural latex inner tubes AFAIK.

Ciao,

_________________
Being a snob is an expensive hobby.

When you say 'season' you mean 3 weeks ??

Hi,

That would imply we'd have 17.3333333333 seasons in a year.....

Ciao,

_________________
Being a snob is an expensive hobby.

Thanks for the tips on sourcing Vredestein tubes.

_________________
Bianchi-Campagnolo

Replace only if the tube walls gets too thin. Find out by removing the tube and inflating it to 40psi. If it looks like a snake just ate a football...then replace it. What happens is that the bubble can actually separate the tire bead from the rim, resulting in a catastrophic and suddenly random blowout. Ask me how I know....

_________________
Due to the urging of all the ladies...I do NOT shave my legs!