Why Latex?

Discover what makes a latex inner tube so different from the standard butyl with SILCA President Josh Poertner

[ernestojrenriquez]

Very informative as always. Kudos to you Josh

[nofascistsonmywatch]

NO ONE had to convince me as to why I should be riding latex inner tubes.

All it took was ONE ride on a Clement Criterium Seta Extra tubular, vs. a cheaper, butyl inner tubed tubular, way back in 1970 when I started racing as a 14 year old in the intermediate class. 😉👍

Of course, some of that response and fell, as well as that wonderful SOUND came from the fine, light, high quality casing and rubber compound of that tire as well (just like it does from my Vittoria Corsa Control clinchers nowadays), but I thought to myself at the time, "WHY would anyone ever want to ride a 'dead' tire with a butyl tube when they can have this wonderous ride from a latex tube??"

Yup, I have to pump them up every single day (and way back then in the ancient times, before all of this current 'no pressure trend', we used to pump them up to 140+ PSI!!), but that is a SMALL price to pay for that ride and sound!!

[MarkusFolkesson]

Just a little detail. Latex is the old type of innertubes we use before butyl was available.

So what is the drawbacks with latex that make us develop butyl? You don't mention that (they are the reason I will never use latex, and no, it is not about the price).

[nvisible]

That's why Charlie Sheen stopped using Lambskin on all his rides.

[nofascistsonmywatch]

One question Josh;

Just HOW much truth is there to the disclaimer/warning that some wheel manufacturers issue about their ALL carbon, (carbon braking surface) rim brake wheels NOT being compatible with latex inner tubes (due to the high heat generated by this setup, I am guessing??).

Real, or nothing to worry about at all?

They all have me crazy with this now trying to find a carbon deep section wheel with an alloy braking surface, which is akin to finding hen's teeth in a unicorn nowadays (especially in a narrower width like I need) with EVERYTHING being offered in carbon today being a mile wide and disc brake EXCLUSIVELY. 👎😡☹