Latex inner tube with short (36mm or less) valve?

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Kraaf
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by Kraaf

I'm looking for latex inner tubes with valves that will fit a Zipp 900 clincher disc.
Michelin A1 Aircomp have 40mm valve stems (got em), Bontrager latex are 50mm (got em) and from what I've gathered, Vredestein are also 40mm or more. Challenge latex tubes are very hard to find, but the only mention I've seen is of 47mm.

I've got a very good chuck (pump head: Hirame), that's not the issue. Even with thick rimtape, there's just no room to attach any chuck, crack-pipe, Hirame or otherwise. At the moment, I deflate the tire, put the chuck on by pushing the valve in. Taking the chuck off the valve requires considerable force, which damages the inner tube.

Anyone know of <36mm valve latex tubes?
Or, alternatively, tubulars that come with latex inners and short valve stems. Expensive option, though.

Thanks
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ave
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by ave

I have 36mm Michelin ones. But true, last time I bought a few I got a few mm longer valves. Also new box says 40mm, older box says 36mm.

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Kraaf
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by Kraaf

Right, and those 4 mm make the differeence between reasonable force and mad violence in getting pumphead on/off.
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rheubanks
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by rheubanks

Kraaf,
I, too, had the same issue with valve stem length and the Zipp disk.

I used a dremel on the disk to open up a bit more room on one side of the disk. Made it much easier to insert the pump head. It is very easy to do and makes everything so much easier.
Regards,
Robert

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Kraaf
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by Kraaf

Thanks,

I realise the Dremel is an easy fix. But I do see that as a last resort, I really want to keep this piece of kit unmolested.

Maybe worn out tubulars with latex inners are the solution. If you can't ride them any more, I can use what's inside. Short stems only, of course.
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RWH
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by RWH

Acording to the Michelin site (michelin.co.uk) the Latex Aircomp is still available with a 36mm valve. However this applies to a 18/20mm tyre width. The version for a 22/23mm width has a 40mm valve.
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fdegrove
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by fdegrove

Hi,

Vredestein latex inner tubes are also available in 36mm stem length.
Try Hopmans, they used to have them.

Ciao, ;)
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Kraaf
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by Kraaf

Thanks,

I'll go hunting for those. I know your opinion on Vredestein latex, hope to confirm that myself.
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kwaz
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by kwaz

Has anyone tried trimming and re-tapping the valve stem? I have no idea if the threads are a common diameter, but since several of the latex tubes have removable cores it might be worth looking into...after practicing on flatted leftovers first hah!

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Kraaf
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by Kraaf

I was thinking the same thing. I'll experiment with some old tires I've got, too.
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fdegrove
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by fdegrove

Hi,

The risk of getting metal particles into the latex inner tube is pretty high.
If you do that, why not make a little stub a la Vittoria and use an aluminium extender? Lighter and better balanced than those clunky brass stems...

You could also just cut an old latex inner tube's stem out and glue that stem into the new one.

Ciao, ;)
Being a snob is an expensive hobby.

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Kraaf
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by Kraaf

Same here, but the issue is valve stem length, not tube/tire width.
Found a "36mm" Michelin A1 latex today, will see tomorrow if that is short enough. If not, I will have to go custom/tubular-inner.
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fdegrove
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by fdegrove

Hi,

Why not check it out using a standard 36mm butyl inner tube?

36mm is the shortest available length anyhow.

Ciao, ;)
Being a snob is an expensive hobby.

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