Tom,
>From my perspective, latex tubes with clincher tires are too fragile and absolutely did not provide me with a great experience . I encurred the wrath of the peloton when I had two simultaneous flats as I hit the same object (rock) with both wheels. I can not tell the difference between Butyl Rubber and Latex while there is air in them. I'm not that sensitive. After the fact is another story; latex with no air (likely rapidly) rides worse than butyl with air (unlikely sometime). All the bad stories you hear are true.
I still ride with tubulars with very few problems. I love tubulars and although two of my bikes have clinchers, tubulars are best. If you are riding clinchers, I recommend you use butyl rubber tubes. My opinion only.
Carl Gonzalez Bay Village Ohio
Tom Sanders Wrote:
I know that the thread count on silk tubular tires is often cited as the
major source of their vaunted riding qualities. It occurs to me that these
tires all had latex tubes in them. Michelin makes some fairly expensive
latex tubes that weigh in at only 65 grams each.
I am one who religiously pumps up his tires before riding every time anyhow
and I am wondering... could some of the ride qualities of these silk
tubulars be due to the latex tubes and could I recapture some of that by
springing the extra few dollars for latex tubes with my high quality
clinchers and get an improved ride? Would the savings in rotating weight be
significant?
I think I will try it and see, but I am curious if similar thoughts had
inspired any list members to try this same thing and if they might report
their experiences and wither a conclusion could be drawn on whether it might
be worthwhile to shell out for some latex tubes. I have also been told they
are somewhat less prone to flatting, too, but that seems questionable to me.
Can anyone say with reasonable certainty?
If this could result in nearly any ride quality improvement for the few
dollars involved, it would really not be much of an expense after all the
money already invested in stuff for many of my bikes. Ya, I know someone
will say "Why not just get the silk tubulars, then?" My answer would be
"Cost, and not needing the dreaded and evil glue or the adhesive rim
tapes."
Thanks,
Tom Sanders
Lansing, Mi