Lighter tubes? Noticeable?

Back by popular demand, the general all-things Road forum!

Moderator: robbosmans

PLuKE
Posts: 219
Joined: Sat Aug 16, 2014 5:26 pm
Location: Suffolk, UK

by PLuKE

I guess being on here we are all looking for loosing weight! So I have seen the Continental Supersonic tubes which are 46g, my current tubes are 105g.

Is it worth the cost or even notice the 100g saved?!

Thanks

MisterNoChain
Posts: 275
Joined: Sun Nov 13, 2011 9:29 pm

by MisterNoChain

Nipping of 100 grams for 20 euros, in ww-land thats a steal!

Making your bike lighter is not about 1 light part. On a bike of 8kg you wont notice the 100gr no.

by Weenie


Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

www.starbike.com



Oswald
Posts: 794
Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2004 10:11 pm

by Oswald

You probably won't notice the weight savings. And they are very prone to punctures. So I wouldn't buy them.

PLuKE
Posts: 219
Joined: Sat Aug 16, 2014 5:26 pm
Location: Suffolk, UK

by PLuKE

I just thought seeing as it rotational weight then that would help.

If not I wouldn't bother.

Luke

boots2000
Posts: 1393
Joined: Mon Oct 15, 2007 9:28 pm

by boots2000

If you are going to go that route I suggest upgrading to latex tubes like Vittoria or Bontrager latex.
They will be lighter and also they will reduce rolling resistance.

PLuKE
Posts: 219
Joined: Sat Aug 16, 2014 5:26 pm
Location: Suffolk, UK

by PLuKE

Thanks, I shall give them a look.

I am just starting off, so upgrading as I go. My next purchase is Ultegra gearing, but that shouldn't be until the sales.

Luke

User avatar
prebsy
Posts: 1044
Joined: Tue Oct 23, 2012 10:52 pm
Location: there or thereabouts

by prebsy

not sure about those tubes but i prefer running lighter tubes for multiple reasons.
1. weight savings obviously
2. no diminished puncture protection. I bash on all sorts of surfaces but make sure to swap my tires when they are cooked. Your best way to not get a puncture is to have a tire free of cuts and excessive wear.
3. better road feel=?lower rolling resistance? , latex is best
4. I seem to get less pinch flats (totally anecdotal)

Of all these things the LEAST noticeable is the weight savings

TimmS
Posts: 424
Joined: Mon Mar 28, 2011 6:46 pm
Location: Amsterdam

by TimmS

I like the schwalbe sv20 innertubes. Not sure what their weight is, thought 70-75.
Not more or less prone to punctures than regular conti or schwalbe innertubes.

PLuKE
Posts: 219
Joined: Sat Aug 16, 2014 5:26 pm
Location: Suffolk, UK

by PLuKE

The Michelin Air Comp Latex tubes seem good value, so weight won't really make any performance difference then, so a lower rolling resistance is going to. Is it worth upgrading then from my Conti Race 28 tubes?

How does latex provide this?

Thanks
Luke

User avatar
Frankie - B
Admin - In the industry
Posts: 6573
Joined: Mon Jun 02, 2003 8:17 am
Location: Drenthe, Holland

by Frankie - B

Please get some latex tubes in stead of the butyl ones. Lighter, better puncture resistance and make sure to swap your tires when they start to square.
'Tape was made to wrap your GF's gifts, NOT hold a freakin tire on.'
If you want to see 'meh' content of me and my bike you can follow my life in pictures here!

HillRPete
Posts: 2284
Joined: Tue Apr 12, 2011 8:08 am
Location: Pedal Square

by HillRPete

It really depends what tyres you are running. If you're on something sturdy with emphasis on puncture protections, you will probably not notice a smoother ride. (Personally I never noticed the rotational weight either).

On the other hand, many people here swear by latex inners, as you have seen. Do yourself a favour though, and read up on the pros and cons (installation peculiarities, carbon clincher use, etc).

So far you have provided very little information about your setup, that makes it hard to provide useful suggestions. That said, I have never had any problems with Supersonics / am not man enough to run latex in clinchers, prefer them sewn up.

PLuKE
Posts: 219
Joined: Sat Aug 16, 2014 5:26 pm
Location: Suffolk, UK

by PLuKE

I would of thought weight would make the most noticeable difference in performance although small, how does Latex give a lower rolling restistence?

My setup, Merida Ride 93 carbon, running Campag Scirocco 35mm, with Ultremo ZX tyres. I ride mainly flat route with some small sharp climbs, but cruise 17-19mph.

Luke

AGW
Posts: 477
Joined: Sun May 27, 2012 2:11 pm

by AGW

Paired with an equally supply tire, I think latex improves rolling resistance by providing a level of deformity to the road that matches the tire. This is also part of what adds to the puncture resistance, I believe. Like HillRPete said, a gatorskin with latex tubes is a mismatch where you're unlikely to notice much of a difference. But a set of high TPI tires (Vittoria, Veloflex) at the right pressure will change things very noticeably. As for rotational weight... it's such a small change that I haven't been able to tell. It might just be wrapped up in the overall package of a smoother ride.

The biggest performance differences I've noticed are on short, punchy out of the saddle climbs and high speeds (30mph/48kph+). Both of these come at a much lower RPE now, or I can push it that much harder/faster. It's worth a try... I'm certain you're missing out on a pair of Ultremos.

ETA: Hmm, carbon clinchers with latex tubes is a touchy subject. Proceed at your own risk; many have experienced blowouts on descents that involve heavy braking.

NiFTY
Posts: 1493
Joined: Sat May 26, 2012 11:26 pm

by NiFTY

A lot of mis-truths about the supersonic tubes.

1. Increased pinchflats - BS - be careful (by that i mean do everything you should normally do when installing any tube) when installing the tube and you'll be fine.
- In 15000K i have had zero pinchflats on supersonics (or any other tube previous) because
a) I run a normal pressure in my tyres (110psi, i'm not a MTBer)
b) I am not a massive fattie (72kg)
c) I don't intentionally ram potholes.

2. Decreased puncture resistance - BS - if something gets through the puncture stopper on a set of tyres what hope does any tube have - zero. BTW I have never had any punctures on GP4000s in over 35000K's of riding, because I don't aim for glass/sharp rocks etc.

Other advantages - no air leakage - unlike latex, can run with carbon clinchers and do proper descents without issue.

Disadvantages - costly, maybe increased RR versus latex.
Evo 4.9kg SL3 6.64kg Slice RS 8.89kg viewtopic.php?f=10&t=110579" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

by Weenie


Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

www.starbike.com



ToffieBoi
Posts: 417
Joined: Fri Jan 31, 2014 4:54 pm
Location: Krakow, Poland

by ToffieBoi

I read an article lately saying that thinner inner tubes does not increase the puncture chance. I think for road bikes, after 150 grams or something, it was effecting the possible punctures. Under 150 grams, all results were almost the same.

I was riding with 65 gram Schwalbe SV20 and 65 gram Specialized Turbo Talced tubes. 24c Grand Prix tires.
Never had a puncture. (I finished one rear tyre and now riding the second one. Front has less than 50% life)
If you install them correctly (This doesn't mean that they are harder to install. No, they are not.), and if there is no manufacturing defect (There was one on my Specialized tube), you will not get unexpected punctures.

Now I am riding with Michelin Latex tubes. No issues so far.
I have to pump them up before each ride, but I was also doing it with butyl tubes too. (Depending on route and weather).
Only problem is, when I am riding my bike to commute my work and if I am late, pumping seems a bit fatigue. A few times I ride to work with around 60PSI on my tires (I am a 65kg guy), and still no issues.

They are a bit heavier, but they seem more comfortable on lower pressures.
Also on fast climbs, where grade is really low and you are quite fast, they feel like they want to go faster.

My friend had 50 grammed Supersonic tubes. They weight 65 grams on scale and he was having many, many punctures. He switched back to regular, thick innertubes and it was still the same. Finally after tyre change, his rides was in peace...
I think now he is riding Specialzed Turbo tubes.

Post Reply