Maybe it’s my imagination, but the Michelin Air Comps appear thicker than the Vredestein latex tubes. I bought a set of used wheels that came with the Michelins and decided to change the tire. In the process I replaced the existing Michelin’s with Vredestein’s and they definitely appear thicker, which might alleviate one my problems: installation. I keep pinching them during installation and blowing the tubes when i pump them up. They’re so unforgiving compared to butyls. So i’m thinking a thicker Michelin might be easier to install, but they don’t come with removable cores? Any helpful tips would be appreciated.
I don’t know how helpful this will be 'cuz I’ve had the frustrating experience of ruining a very expensive Vredestein tube during installation a few times, too. But the tradeoff vs. Michelin as far as I see it is the removeable cores and also the fact that they don’t go brittle as the Michelins seem to do quite quickly. Also, the way the Vredesteins are packaged, you can buy a supply of them and keep them around for a good while. Keep a Michelin in your tool box for a couple of months and it’s worthless. (Actually, since I’ve learned that, I just keep them in ziplock bags which preserves them a lot longer. But there’s still the removeable core thing. Plus, I think the Vredesteins are more supple which is the whole point of using latex tubes.)
I guess one trick I’ve read about but haven’t tried is to put a little talc on the tube before you mount things up. The Michelins already seem to have a powdery coating of some sort. The Vredesteins don’t. Drop them in a little bag that has a little talc and shake it a bit, then do the installation. I keep meaning to do that, but then I decide I can manage without it. Sometimes I manage, sometimes I don’t.
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Thanks. I’ll give the talc a try. It seems like i’m batting under .500 in terms of successful latex installations. No problems with butyls, but I know latex is worth it.
go with the talc. put it in a small plastic bag, shoot in some talc and shake. Don’t worry if it gets on the wheel, it’ll brush off. Inflate the tube slightly to give it some shape, and then install.
BTW, I tried the trick the michelin guy recommended: starting opposite the valve, not at the valve–and on a tight-fitting rim/tire combo, it actually seemed to help.
I prefer the Michelin tubes for this very reason (ease of installation). As far as the removable valve cores, I thought this would be a good thing w/the Vred’s, but I had problems with them leaking, no matter what I did around the valve core. Also, I had one batch of Vredesteins that developed a hole at the seam (on several tubes), and I’ve never had a problem with the Michelins.
As far as them being ‘thicker’, I know Al has tested both and they roll just as fast as the thinner tubes.
Just in case you aren’t doing this after you get the tire on put ~ 5 psig into the tube and then go around both sides of the rim pushing the sidewall in to make sure that the tube isn’t pinched between the bead and rim. If all is well you should be able to pump up to running pressure without mishap. Additionally I’ve had one of the newer Vred tubes (with the removable valve cores) fail at the joint where the 2 halves of the tube are bonded together. I was able to patch it and it is holding up OK after a few runs on the rollers. I’ve heard of others having this same problem but to a greater degree.
would be a larger problem on race day
I only flatted once in a race . The only time with clincher and yes had had prolbems with latex tube.it was my fault I guess. Just have had better luck with tubbies race day
Do you find that they go brittle quickly when installed too? Just wondering how often to replace in race wheels that are not often ridden?
It’s been too long since I’ve used them for me to give you an accurate account on that. I’m sure they lasted quite a bit longer installed than they did just sitting around in the box. Installed they’re encased in the tire which gives them some protection from what I presume is dry rot. I wouldn’t take your race wheels out after they’ve been stored over the winter and just pump them up and go. I’d put new tubes in.
that is intriguing/worrying me. I’ve never noticed that my Michelins go brittle at all, even after 2 years of using the same tubes in some circumstances.
However I would surmise that these (and all) tubes sit around a shop or intransit to a bikeshop/warehouse for 1-2-3 years sometimes before you buy them. So I don’t think they would go ‘brittle’ over a few months.
anyone care to comment on how long it takes from the factory floor to the LBS? or is there an actual ‘shelf-life’ on these?
Thanks, I probably should run a pair for training just to get a feel for their longevity and abuse (or lack of) they will take. When I just run them in races I never get a feel for this.