Latex tubes, failures.

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

by PLuKE

I have been running latex tubes, but I have two tubes fail, one had a cracking affect and lost air, but was sitting in direct sunlight in the 28c heat.

One went bang while descending.

Has the happened because my Campag Bullet wheelset don't use rim tape, they are sealed but are plastic lined.

So I have heard the latex can rub and that is what causes a fail.

Any advice?

Luke

by Weenie


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AJS914
Posts: 5392
Joined: Tue Jan 28, 2014 6:52 pm

by AJS914

I didn't have that much bad luck with latex but I still gave up on them. Not much, if any weight savings over an 85g tube and you have to pump them up for every ride. I ride at lunch mostly with my bike stored in my car so pumping up every ride is a just one more thing to do.

Also, I was changing a tire (not a flat) and my latex tube was severely deformed and stretched. It didn't give me a lot of confidence to use it again.

WannabeWeenie
Posts: 106
Joined: Mon Aug 03, 2015 7:05 pm
Location: Minnesota, USA

by WannabeWeenie

Powder the heck out of the inside of the tire before installing the tube. That's what I do and it seems to have worked well. No latex tube failures yet. *knock on wood*

bm0p700f
in the industry
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Location: Glermsford, Suffolk U.K
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by bm0p700f

I have had a few failures but these have been mostly down to the tube being drag round the rim under hard braking. Or that is the only way I can explain. Pumping up tyres before every ride is something I do with butyl tubes. I still use latex. I can't say the problems I have had have been off putting as I find I puncture less with latex.

I have tried talc before the last failure it did not help. Had to jam the brakes on in a race to avoid a crash which I did but the hiss happened and my shoe fell apart. Race over.

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

by PLuKE

I will change to Supersonic butyl tubes, 50g so same weight as a latex tube, more reliable but not bullet proof. I am more thinking on the lines of rolling resistance, and the saving, but can't be having tubes go for no reason and rapid deflating.

Thanks

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

by PLuKE

Thanks guys.

I am thinking the tubes are rubbing and finding sharper parts on the plastic rim inside, like I said. I rim tape. No heavy braking done either.

Luke

sanrensho
Posts: 433
Joined: Tue Aug 02, 2011 5:54 pm

by sanrensho

The last two latex failures I had were this season, from gashes in the tire and the tube popping. Both tires unusable, latex tubes patched and running fine.

Before that I effectively went two seasons without a flat on latex tubes.

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Horze
Posts: 142
Joined: Mon Mar 18, 2013 10:40 pm
Location: Transilvania

by Horze

PLuKE wrote:.
.

One went bang while descending.

.
.
Luke


Dear, I'd be keen to learn how you managed to recover the ride from this while descending?
Usually latex tubes deflate rapidly when they fail with a *bang*
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xena
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by xena

I use the Supersonic's -50grms with Veloflex master tyres, very good. Roll very well. No issues whatsoever
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WannabeWeenie
Posts: 106
Joined: Mon Aug 03, 2015 7:05 pm
Location: Minnesota, USA

by WannabeWeenie

bm0p700f wrote:I have had a few failures but these have been mostly down to the tube being drag round the rim under hard braking. Or that is the only way I can explain. Pumping up tyres before every ride is something I do with butyl tubes. I still use latex. I can't say the problems I have had have been off putting as I find I puncture less with latex.

I have tried talc before the last failure it did not help. Had to jam the brakes on in a race to avoid a crash which I did but the hiss happened and my shoe fell apart. Race over.

What pressure are you running that tires are rotating on the rim under hard braking?

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

by PLuKE

Horze wrote:
PLuKE wrote:.
.

One went bang while descending.

.
.
Luke


Dear, I'd be keen to learn how you managed to recover the ride from this while descending?
Usually latex tubes deflate rapidly when they fail with a *bang*


I was going under some trees, and didn't have a clue what it was, then a nice wobble from the rear, and slowed down, could of turned out nasty, if it was that front wheel then surely a crash!

mattr
Posts: 4671
Joined: Fri May 25, 2007 6:43 pm
Location: The Grim North.

by mattr

WannabeWeenie wrote:
bm0p700f wrote:I have had a few failures but these have been mostly down to the tube being drag round the rim under hard braking. Or that is the only way I can explain. Pumping up tyres before every ride is something I do with butyl tubes. I still use latex. I can't say the problems I have had have been off putting as I find I puncture less with latex.

I have tried talc before the last failure it did not help. Had to jam the brakes on in a race to avoid a crash which I did but the hiss happened and my shoe fell apart. Race over.

What pressure are you running that tires are rotating on the rim under hard braking?
http://weightweenies.starbike.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=132987&start=30

Don't worry, according to spookyload it's against the laws of physics. :roll:

mdeth1313
Posts: 2066
Joined: Sat Apr 22, 2006 12:38 am
Location: Dutchess County, NY

by mdeth1313

I've been using latex tubes for 2 seasons now and I'm very happy with them. Never pinched one installing them and the only flats I've had were debris going through the tire (glass, staple, etc). In those cases I was able to patch and re-use the tubes.
Speedplay is the devil!

Butcher
Shop Owner
Posts: 1917
Joined: Sun Jan 03, 2010 4:58 am

by Butcher

My only issue with latex tube failures is buying a few and when I needed to use them, they were worn out. As in worthless. I guess I should have put them in the refrigerator or something.

MikeDee
Posts: 118
Joined: Mon Dec 22, 2014 1:27 am

by MikeDee

I used a pair for a couple of months. Replaced them with butyl because I was going on a tour and didn't want to pump them up everyday. They were deformed and I'm not sure they are safe to use again.

by Weenie


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