What’s the proper want to store them when not racing? Seal them up in a zip lock? Keep them in a cool dark place like a rubber?
thanks
Put them in a zip lock, coat them in corn starch or baby power lightly.
Don’t mean to hijack but…
Are there latex tubes with removable cores? I use a zip 808 so I need a valve extender (can’t find any tube with a 100 mm stem). I prefer valve extenders that allow me to let air out (hard to change a flat that still has 40-60 psi with no way to release the pressure). To do this, I need a tube with a removable core.
Any advice?
I know Vredestein latex tubes have removeable cores. They’re available in the states from Glory Cycles (if they have them in stock).
I believe the Vittorias also have removeable cores and they’re more universally available. I like the Vredesteins because they come in little sealed bags so they store better, longer.
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Just got some Vredestein latex tubes with a removable 60mm valve core. Also got a 50mm Tufo extender that allows moving the valve to the end. Haven’t installed them yet but should work well with my 85mm Gigantex wheels. As a spare I have a butyl tube with a non-removable 40mm valve and 74mm Zipp extender. You can deflate it with an old spoke or a skinny allen wrench. To my knowledge, Vredestein is the only latex with removable cores.
I can’t find anybody selling the Vredstein latex tubes. Nothing at Glory Cycles & google is coming up with nothing useful. Any suggestions?
I usually don’t carry a broken spoke or skinny allen wrench when racing but thanks for the suggestion. 
I ordered mine through my LBS. Go to the Veltec Sports website and find a local dealer. They should be able to order one for you. They aren’t cheap- $20+ each so use wisely. Although I think the durability of latex is fine the cost is not worth using everyday-racing only for me.
The spoke/wrench trick is for when you are home or training using a butyl spare. The removable valve core extension option solves that problem and latex tubes don’t hold air for more than a few days anyway.
I see some at BeyondBikes.com.
I usually order a large supply from Chainreactioncycles.com in the UK. They’re out of stock now. When they’re in stock, they’re under $10 each and shipping to the US isn’t bad if you order a quantity.
Glory Cycles listed them for a while, but they never seemed to have them. I find that kind of thing with them quite often. I guess with this economy, nobody wants to have cash sitting in inventory. But you can’t make the sale without inventory.
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http://www.dotbike.com/ProductsP2584.aspx
As Bob said - shipping isn’t too bad when spread over several tubes.
a really small allen wrench or nail/tack will allow you to let the air out of your tire if you stick it down the valve extender…
Topeak makes an extender that has a built in “stem” thingy that’ll let you open/close the tiny nut on a regular valve. It’s the shit.
edit: found a link… http://www.topeak.com/products/Floor-Pumps/PrestaValveExtender
a really small allen wrench or nail/tack will allow you to let the air out of your tire if you stick it down the valve extender…
You mean something most people carry on a bike will do the job of letting air out? I prefer to buy a special tool, thanks.
hmm
joking…or not? As a lover of expensive meaningless special tools I don’t know how I’d answer the question.