I don’t have race wheels, so I use my Easton Vistas with Michelin Pro2Race tires for both training and racing. The only thing “special” I do is add a wheel cover to the rear for racing.
I need to get a couple of spare tubes, so I’m looking for recommendations.
So, what the best choice for all-around use - Michelin, Continental, other??? (If I need to err on one side or the other, I’d probably choose extra durability over extra “speed”.)
Also, does anyone know off the top of their head what valve length is ideal for a 30mm deep rim like the Vista?
What if I was limited to what Performance has on their website? (I’m hoping to just add this to an order, not have to order from someplace else just for a couple of tubes.)
They don’t have any latex tubes that I see - all butyl. They have the Forte house brand in three weights - 117g, 70g & 49g as well as the Michelin AirComp and the Continental. (They also have the slime tubes.)
I guess this makes the real question… How light of a butyl tube can you get and still have decent durability?
Latex tubes are a bit of a PITA for training because you need to pump them up every day. If you’ll do this anyway, no big deal. If you compete in IM length events latex are not a good idea because of the time between when you will getting your gear ready and when you’ll actually finish the bike leg you could actually loose significant pressure.
I use medium to medium-light tubes, I stay away from the ultralight ones, they’re too unreliable, so if you are limited to performance I’d go with the Michelan tube and stay away from the Performance house brand. I use michelan latex on my race wheels and butyl on training wheels.
I am no expert, but tubes is not some place I would try and save weight. Even tires for that matter. That amount of weight won’t be any time savings, but changin 1 flat will be a big loss. If you are not going to get latex I would not try and save weight.
I’d recommend the opposite. I’ve had two Michelin tubes fail in the last 6 months (not flat, fail) in the same spot. I’ve used Performance LunarLights for years with no real problems. The Michelin tubes both failed at the valve patch junction - the point where the valve joins the tube lost adhesion and would not hold air. Funny how quality control varies on something as simple as a tube.
“I’ve used Performance LunarLights for years with no real problems.”
Perhaps they’ve changed suppliers. I bought five of them a few years back and went through them all in a week! Since then I’ve stayed with name-brand (usually Conti). Never had a tube fail other than those Performance tubes (fail as opposed to puncture).
I’ve also used lunar light tubes for years… on 3 of my bikes (including the wife’s). I’ve only had problems about 2 times… or so- and I think both were b/c of installation error. You have to be a little extra careful with these- they are nice training tubes- and light at 49-52 grams (on my scale). I would race with the latex- lower Crr…
well, do you realise all the tubular at ironman have latex tube inside of them… and most elite athlete riding clincher use latex tube…it s never been a problem…
the lost of pressure for about 6-7h is no much and it s totaly worthy to ride latex tube on a ironman if you want to save time because of lower RR…