I got a new set of GP5ks to put on my race wheels. I mounted my original tires/ latex tubes 3 years ago. Do I get new tubes, or if it ain’t broke don’t fix it?
If new tubes, any suggestions? I’m too dumb/ stubborn to go tubeless.
3 years for latex is getting up there. Whilst you may get another year out of them without issues, personally I’d swap seeing as you are messing around with them.
As for what to put in, either vittoria or michelin seem to be much of a muchness to me, although I think the vittoria tested fractionally faster.
Just one point, with new tyres I’d mount and dismount a couple of times with no tube in to let the tyre stretch slightly, so that when you put the latex tube in then you minimise the chance of pinching it. Always a pain when you end up with a pinch puncture on a brande new tyre/tube.
My latex tubes have been in my race wheels since 2015 with no issues. My road bike front wheel has had the same latex tube since 2020 (the rear has had a flat and been changed). Life inside a tire/rim is a highly protected environment. Tubes should be fine.
I am leaning in this direction. Good idea on the on and off!
Just one point, with new tyres I’d mount and dismount a couple of times with no tube in to let the tyre stretch slightly, so that when you put the latex tube in then you minimize the chance of pinching it. Always a pain when you end up with a pinch puncture on a brand new tyre/tube.
I would’ve never thought of that, but it makes sense
Of course, I used to grab a screwdriver when I needed a tire lever as a kid
Typically I will look at the condition of the stem/tube junction.
If it looks worn or weak then I’ll replace them. If the wheels are kept indoors and are only used for racing I would expect at least 3 years out of tubes and tires.
If it ain’t broke don’t fix it?
Basically, yeah.
Regardless if you go used/new tubes, talc the shit outta the inside of the new tires.
I have never used talcum powder when installing latex tubes.
I have never used talcum powder when installing latex tubes.
That’s your mistake.
And unless you washed new latex tubes before you installed them, they had talc on them.
I’d change out latex tubes if they’re 3 years old.
It’s not that latex is 100% guaranteed to fail in that timeframe, but latex can definitely get some blebs, stick to your tube, etc, in varied conditions - 2 of my latex tubes that I changed out for flats in <1 year, were severely deformed due to blistering and bubbling, and were partially adherent to my GP5000s. Not sure why this happened either, I don’t abuse them and keep the bike in normal temp conditions. I do use talcum powder as well on installing them.
I’ve come to at least check the integrity of my latex tubes before races by removing the tire and adding some talcum powder around it before reinstalling it just to make sure all is good and no surprises.
I have never used talcum powder when installing latex tubes.
That’s your mistake.
And unless you washed new latex tubes before you installed them, they had talc on them.
I have never added extra talcum powder (as suggested by the person that I was replying to).
I have never used talcum powder when installing latex tubes.
That’s your mistake.
And unless you washed new latex tubes before you installed them, they had talc on them.
I have never added extra talcum powder (as suggested by the person that I was replying to).
That’s your mistake.
I have never used talcum powder when installing latex tubes.
That’s your mistake.
And unless you washed new latex tubes before you installed them, they had talc on them.
I have never added extra talcum powder (as suggested by the person that I was replying to).
That’s your mistake.
I have installed thousands of latex tubes in the past 30 years and have never pinched one.
I have never used talcum powder when installing latex tubes.
That’s your mistake.
And unless you washed new latex tubes before you installed them, they had talc on them.
I have never added extra talcum powder (as suggested by the person that I was replying to).
That’s your mistake.
I have installed thousands of latex tubes in the past 30 years and have never pinched one.
That’s your mistake.
The OP is not you, and I’m suggesting they do not repeat your mistake of omission.
I have never used talcum powder when installing latex tubes.
That’s your mistake.
And unless you washed new latex tubes before you installed them, they had talc on them.
I have never added extra talcum powder (as suggested by the person that I was replying to).
That’s your mistake.
I have installed thousands of latex tubes in the past 30 years and have never pinched one.
That’s your mistake.
The OP is not you, and I’m suggesting they do not repeat your mistake of omission.
You said that my non-use of talcum powder was a mistake.
I have never used talcum powder when installing latex tubes.
That’s your mistake.
And unless you washed new latex tubes before you installed them, they had talc on them.
I have never added extra talcum powder (as suggested by the person that I was replying to).
That’s your mistake.
I have installed thousands of latex tubes in the past 30 years and have never pinched one.
That’s your mistake.
The OP is not you, and I’m suggesting they do not repeat your mistake of omission.
You said that my non-use of talcum powder was a mistake.
No. When you responded that YOU do not use it, I several times wrote it is your mistake to not use it.
I suggested to the OP to use talc when installing new or re-installing a used latex tube.
The OP did not ask if you talc’d your tubes or not.
Why are you flogging this?
I have never used talcum powder when installing latex tubes.
That’s your mistake.
And unless you washed new latex tubes before you installed them, they had talc on them.
I have never added extra talcum powder (as suggested by the person that I was replying to).
That’s your mistake.
I have installed thousands of latex tubes in the past 30 years and have never pinched one.
That’s your mistake.
The OP is not you, and I’m suggesting they do not repeat your mistake of omission.
You said that my non-use of talcum powder was a mistake.
No. When you responded that YOU do not use it, I several times wrote it is your mistake to not use it.
I suggested to the OP to use talc when installing new or re-installing a used latex tube.
The OP did not ask if you talc’d your tubes or not.
Why are you flogging this?
It seems like we are speaking different languages.
I have never used talcum powder when installing latex tubes.
That’s your mistake.
And unless you washed new latex tubes before you installed them, they had talc on them.
I have never added extra talcum powder (as suggested by the person that I was replying to).
That’s your mistake.
I have installed thousands of latex tubes in the past 30 years and have never pinched one.
That’s your mistake.
The OP is not you, and I’m suggesting they do not repeat your mistake of omission.
I like to replace mine with tire changes. I’ve had the tube sticking to the tire and or deformities on the tube that match the inside of the tire/wheel. When you change the tire check out your latex tube, it will probably have some oddities to it. Maybe safe/maybe not but why risk it? Tubes aren’t crazy expensive and it’s a little reassurance on my race wheels.
I buy Vittoria or Silca tubes from Amazon. 5Ks are great tires too if those are new to you as well.
I have a little different question regards the tires.
Just found out, that my Speedmax came from factory with 28 mm tyre in the front and 25 mm at the back. Is something wrong with me that I think it should be the other way round or I don’t know something?