I am looking to swap in latex tubes for my upcoming race. I currently use cheap butyl tubes with 80mm stem to get through my rim.
I am having trouble finding latex tubes with an 80mm stem. Is this normal, or should I be getting valve extenders? Could anyone recommend links to affordable latex tubes and valve extenders? I assume I need two extenders, or do I use one for both just got putting air in and not leave it attached?
Yes you’ll need 2 extenders. The conti ones are good as well as the silca ones. I don’t have experience with any others although it’s a fairly simple part and any should be fine.
Yes you’ll need 2 extenders. The conti ones are good as well as the silca ones. I don’t have experience with any others although it’s a fairly simple part and any should be fine.
I use Vittoria latex tubes with 50-something mm stems and Silca extenders. They have been perfect for more than a year. I highly recommend both.
Yes that’s exactly what I use with my jet+ 6s. For my 9 I need a longer extension though.
Okay. I am using Mercury M5 Wheels at 55mm rim depth.
My current tubes are Forte 700x19-26
Vittoria 700x19-23 should work right? Their other size is 700x25-58, I think the former matches more closely.
Thanks for the quick answers, I just wanted to make sure I get it right the first time. I wasn’t even sure if I needed 2 extenders because I am new to this.
Size your tubes to match your tires, not the wheels. So, what width tires are you running? That should determine whether you use the 19-23 or 25-28 sized tubes.
Assuming you have the 55mm wheels front and back, you will need a pair of the 34mm extenders. (One extender for each wheel.)
Size your tubes to match your tires, not the wheels. So, what width tires are you running? That should determine whether you use the 19-23 or 25-28 sized tubes.
Thanks, that makes sense. I should have thought of that.
My tires are “Continental Grand Prix 4000 S II Road Clincher, Black, 700 x 23-Inch” so you are helping me answer my own question now. Vittoria 700x19-23 should be the right size.
Why couldn’t this chart have showed up this weekend!?!. Just went through the same thing and ending up guessing at the 40mm conti extenders w/ the 51mm stem Vittoria latex tubes for my Zipp 404s w/ a 58mm depth.
One thing I couldn’t figure out was if the extender length was the amount of extension the extender would provide to the stem of if it was the length of the extender itself (and thus a shorter amount of extension due to thread overlap). Anyone know?
There’s a learning curve with latex tubes, but it will be worth it.
Find some install instructions specific to latex tubes – avoiding pinches, checking tire and rim for holes, etc. Blow outs are frustrating and common for new users, but are almost entirely down to user error.
My tires are “Continental Grand Prix 4000 S II Road Clincher, Black, 700 x 23-Inch” so you are helping me answer my own question now. Vittoria 700x19-23 should be the right size.
If I’m not mistaken, Tom A. now recommends using the larger size because the latex isn’t stretched as much and is more durable. Negligible effect on rolling resistance.
My tires are “Continental Grand Prix 4000 S II Road Clincher, Black, 700 x 23-Inch” so you are helping me answer my own question now. Vittoria 700x19-23 should be the right size.
If I’m not mistaken, Tom A. now recommends using the larger size because the latex isn’t stretched as much and is more durable. Negligible effect on rolling resistance.
Thanks, cabrero. That makes sense to me. Could anyone back this up? I can order the larger size and easy returns on the unopened small size.
My tires are “Continental Grand Prix 4000 S II Road Clincher, Black, 700 x 23-Inch” so you are helping me answer my own question now. Vittoria 700x19-23 should be the right size.
If I’m not mistaken, Tom A. now recommends using the larger size because the latex isn’t stretched as much and is more durable. Negligible effect on rolling resistance.
Thanks, cabrero. That makes sense to me. Could anyone back this up? I can order the larger size and easy returns on the unopened small size.
If you’ve already ordered the smaller ones I don’t think it makes enough of a difference to return for the larger ones.
My tires are “Continental Grand Prix 4000 S II Road Clincher, Black, 700 x 23-Inch” so you are helping me answer my own question now. Vittoria 700x19-23 should be the right size.
If I’m not mistaken, Tom A. now recommends using the larger size because the latex isn’t stretched as much and is more durable. Negligible effect on rolling resistance.
Maybe Tom A. will weigh in here, but I’d caution on using larger sizes. A good percentage of installation errors come from pinching the tube under the tire, eventually resulting in a blowout. That is much easier to do with a larger tube. Meanwhile, latex is not bothered by pretty severe stretching. I’ve used “25-28” tubes in 33mm without issue.
Thanks for the info everyone. I’ll probably just go with what I have then since it is already ordered. My dad is coming over tomorrow to teach me how to clean my cassette, and I think the tubes will be here tonight so we will watch an installation video and carefully put them on, hopefully avoiding any pinches.
