Proper latex innertube mounting

[2cylinders]

Hello,

I am riding latex inner tubes for about 30 years now and I still love them.
So this post might help you out, I hope.

The ¨knowledge¨ how to properly mounting them seems a bit lost.
Many people prefer butyl and they do a good job.
But nothing beats latex: Low rolling resistance, lightweight, no snakebites, better flatprotection and a nice sound (!).
Mounting latex can be a challenge;

So mounting them properly is very important:
-Wash your hands; No oil or grease
-Clean the rim with a soft, clean cloth
-Clean the inside of the tyre using a soft cloth
-use talcum powder on the latex tube and some in the outer tyre
-Some latex tyres are a bit greasy, leave it on
-Mount the outer tyre and then the latex tyre
-Make sure the pumpvalve is exactly in line with the hole of the wheel
-Make sure there is no carbon or metal visible, no sharp edges
-If so, file or sand it gently off and / or place a small bit of sticky tape over the hole, then puncture this with the valve, it is now protected
-Use the sticky tape anyway!
-Make sure that there is no latex tyre visible between rim and outer tyre when pressing the sidewalls, it should lay snug inside the outer tyres walls
-Inflate to 0,5 bar and check AGAIN that there is no latex tyre visible between rim and outer tyre when pressing the sidewalls, now it must be hard to see the latex tyre
-Inflate to 4 bar and check again: Turn the wheel and check for bulging, humps and check the sidewalls and rim
-Inflate to desired pressure
-Enjoy the ride!!!
-(Whilst under way and if you should run a flat; use butyl and a CO2 pump whil save the day, the laytex tube can be reapaired later as per butyl)

[probertsqbe]

Thanks for sharing.

I’ve been thinking of moving to latex ever since I purchased a set of Specialised Turbo cottons earlier this year. I am planning on fitting them to my summer bike when the weather in the UK improves in springtime.

Do you have a recommendation for the latex inner tube?

Vittoria and Silca (made by Vittoria) seem to be the most popular from what I’ve read.

[Hexsense]

-Vittoria / Silca are good standard latex tube. Pink color.
-Michelin runs big and thicker. Valve core are not removable. Green color.
-Vredestein is small, thin and lighter than other latex tube. Natural latex color.
-Challenge latex tube might be a tiny bit smaller than Vittoria, didn't directly compare them but they are close. Red color.

If your wheels are mid depth, Michelin offer Latex tube in 60mm valve.
If your wheels are too deep for 60mm valve, Michelin fall short because valve core is not removable, so use other brands with extender.

PS. i didn't check for new options for a while, is there any native 65mm+ valve length latex tube?

[TiCass]

Vittoria comes with little white (talcum !?) powder on it, so no need to add more. Just mount like a regular tube.

[2cylinders]

-Vittoria / Silca are good standard latex tube. Pink color.
-Michelin runs big and thicker. Valve core are not removable. Green color.
-Vredestein is small, thin and lighter than other latex tube. Natural latex color.
-Challenge latex tube might be a tiny bit smaller than Vittoria, didn't directly compare them but they are close. Red color.

If your wheels are mid depth, Michelin offer Latex tube in 60mm valve.
If your wheels are too deep for 60mm valve, Michelin fall short because valve core is not removable, so use other brands with extender.

PS. i didn't check for new options for a while, is there any native 65mm+ valve length latex tube?

Michelin is the best I think, but the non removable valve is a pain. An extender like the https://www.topeak.com/global/en/produc ... xtender-xl is a possibility. You don´t have to remove the inner valve, just screw it on. I like the Michelins best, but due to aero wheels I ride Challengers now or Vredesteins.

[1415chris]

Michelin is the worst I think
The heaviest of them all and non removable valve core. What to like them for, colour maybe?
I only get them if they are properly discounted and use them for shallow rims only.
Mostly Vittoria, Vred and occasionally Challenge.
I always add talcum powder to the tube and tyre. For many years since I started using latex tubes, I have never had any issuses relating to wrong mounting process.

[audioblazer]

Why the need to use talcum powder when mounting latex inner tube ?

[mattr]

Stop the tube sticking to the inside of the tyre, same as every tubed installation.

[synthesis]

Pump up the Latex tube slightly, and close the valve before you mount it. It will prevent it getting stuck between the rim and tire, not to much or you will get a "buble" on the tube that can weaken the walls in the tube.

[alcatraz]

Latex can stretch with time and if it's too long then start with the valve, then find the half point and insert that next. Make sure it's not twisted.

If it's still too long then you can do the same again with the quarter points before sliding in the remains.

Make sure the tire isn't sticky before doing all this.

[WorkonSunday]

Thanks for the info!

piggyback question, how does one fix a puncture when using latex tubes? same as normal butyl tubes? or need special latex glue and patches?

[alcatraz]

Super easy. Cut pieces out of an old latex tube and glue them on with the same rubber cement from any patch kit.

Before I had a tube to cut I actually used pieces cut from an ikea latex kitchen glove. I repaired this way maybe 15 times and I haven't had one patch fail on me. It's always a new location.

Because latex tends to deflate "explosively" it presents a safety issue in two ways. 1. You get very little time before riding on a flat tire. 2. The tire can pop off the rim.

If you intend to descend at high speeds you should be aware of the risk. Plenty of people including me still do it but if the tire blows off the rim at 70km/h you could be done for.

So don't take big risks until you've put in a few thousand kilometers on latex so that you know your installation routine is all right.

[osw000]

I'm waiting a set of Veloflex Master and Vittoria latex tubes to make my first test with 320tpi tyres and latex tubes combo.
I'm concerned about Veloflex tyres being hard to mount and the risk of biting the tube while pullin it. Any tip? I thought of premounting the tyre with a normal tube, inflate and let it stretch as you would do with a tubular? Will this make things easier?

[ryanw]

I've never done anything different with latex to normal tubes. Have never had any issues at all. The above it not wrong, but way more complex than is needs to be.

I now only use Vredestein SuperLites (55g with 50mm valve). They are the best I've used and never had a blow out with them.

The WORST latex tubes I've ever used are Challenge, absolute garbage!

[osw000]

Well, in the meantime I received the stuff and mount it without much trouble. First time mounting Veloflex clinchers so I practiced with some old tubes just in case. After first mount you get a bit of a rounder shape on the tyre, but then comes the hassle of demounting and mounting again with latex tube. So it's nonsense, I could have skipped this step.
Saved 160 grams from my last setup with Mavic Yksions and Conti Light tubes.
Vittoria latex tubes came at 63-64grm and Master's 23 at 195-197grs.
Time to give them a roll!

Off topic, I like the gumwall look but now I think it looks too busy with all the white rim logos. Would look better with all black rims

Complete alu wheel weights with heavy skewers.

Front wheel: 1016gr
Rear wheel: 1340gr with Sram 11-28 cassette.

Enviado desde mi SM-J530F mediante Tapatalk