In my experience, latex tubes seem to fail based on: time, air exposure, and UV exposure. If you've treated them carefully and they still hold air, you're probably fine.

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I've replaced after 2 years in my race wheels. They looked fine but were sticking to the inside of the tire.

I've gone a whole season with them in my training wheels. When I pulled them out to change the tire they were stuck to the tire and had little stretchy marks on them where they met the spoke holes in the rim tape.

jaretj

My second child is pretty solid proof that latex has a shelf life.

Here's a video of a racer's rear tube exploding on him towards the end of a crit. Not a particularly warm day, not a lot of braking; it just failed. The racer remarked later that he has was running latex tubes in order to save a couple watts and the tubes had been fine for over a year. He shredded his Zipp 404 wheel as a result. I wouldn't use latex tubes in a crit myself, but if you do, consider swapping them out at the one year mark - new tubes are a lot cheaper than new carbon wheels.

https://vimeo.com/89881229

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Amateur recreational hobbyist cyclist
https://www.strava.com/athletes/337152
https://vimeo.com/user11846099

I have boxes of latex gloves that say yes. They look fine until a small amount of pressure is out on them.

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Ian

I would say that if you're having doubts just change them. Relatively cheap peace of mind. Throw them into rotation for your training wheels to maximize your return on investment :)

Now I'm going to have to go check my tubes this evening. I put latex tubes in my wheels mid way through last season and just kind of left them in. Hopefully they haven't liquified!

Wow, I've had some that spontaneously failed after a few months and some that last for years like you have. No puncture, just a tube turned to ribbons inside at what I assume was a weak spot. After having to DNF a few times, decided it just wasn't worth the risk. Was using Vittoria, YMMV.

I used once a used latex tube as a cover for a chainlock and saw after some years that the latex got tacky. I than decieded to replace latex tubes every two years.

OP, yes! Is the answer. Most definitely.

I've had 3 failures from aged latex in the 4 yrs I've been playing cyclist.
All 3 instances were in race wheels that had been climate controlled, stored indoors over the winter.
Each happened the 2nd or 3rd time I went to air them up. When applying the air chuck, the tube tore around the valve stem.
It was never a big deal for me, but you can imagine the situation if it happens race morning.

I can't believe no one gave you props on this. Nicely done.

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@christopher_borden •
Spinning Spoke • Dimond Bikes • Flo Cycling • Castelli Cycling

So if I set up my set of race wheels in April of this year and store my race wheels indoors then the latex tubes should be good to go for the entire year? Just swap them out at the beginning of next year to be safe?

I'm not sure whether to apologize to you or say congratulations. Either way... Well played.

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Instagram | Team Kiwami North America

Man, here is what I do.
I put fresh meat and tubes on my snazzy wheels ~2 rides before my first Spring race.

I move the old stuff over to trainers.
If the latex sticks to the rim and stretches or deforms, I trash it.

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@christopher_borden •
Spinning Spoke • Dimond Bikes • Flo Cycling • Castelli Cycling

I use orange seal in my latex tubes. It appears to prevent flats, but also shorten the life of the tubes. Also, letting the wheels go flat and being in a hot environment has appeared to damage the tube. I keep mine inflated, spin them if I haven't ridden them in awhile, and replace them every 6 months or so.

Not a particularly warm day, not a lot of braking; it just failed. The racer remarked later that he has was running latex tubes in order to save a couple watts and the tubes had been fine for over a year. He shredded his Zipp 404 wheel as a result. I wouldn't use latex tubes in a crit myself, but if you do, consider swapping them out at the one year mark - new tubes are a lot cheaper than new carbon wheels.

Here we go again...

There is zero stress on a tube when it is properly installed. Note *properly* installed. If you get a little bit pinched under the bead though, the tube will likely survive like that for a long time... until the right combination of heat or cornering forces loosens the tire bead and the air pressure blows it off the rim. Ouch.

I've been riding latex tubes exclusively for about 5 years. 30-40k miles. They ride better, are puncture resistant (seriously, very resistant to pinch flats and stuff like staples, thorns, and small wires), and have significantly less resistance than butyl, and patch easily. The major downside is a few more strokes of the pump because they leak down ~20%/day, and they also cost a little more (I buy them from Ribble for <$8). Plus you can't be a complete moron about installing them.

Oh since this is about longevity, I have some latex tubes that I've been using for 8 years. These are very robust Vredesteins that are heavy and thick. I don't think you can buy them any more.

If they can go bad sitting in your wallet too long, they can go bad on a rim.