The procedure for latex is the same for butyl.
Er…sorta kinda.
I’d say you want to be considerably more careful with latex.
This video is good.
Why wait until the week of Kona to swap out tubes?
Was thinking because, I would need to put the sealant + new tyres in prior, for the (long) flight(s) (rather than just putting in latex prior but then replacing tyres only race-week), which means they’d be doing my last 5-odd training rides in Kona with them. Or, no issues with that?
Great advise, thank you all!
Less rr. I don’t care about comfort as my longest race is 40k. Honestly even the 20 up front on the jet with the latex tube rides really smooth, and I run 100 psi.
FYI, the 20s I tested actually rolled faster than the 23s. That shouldn’t be the case but it was. Just by feel, I would guess the tread on the 20s is a little thinner.
Less rr. I don’t care about comfort as my longest race is 40k. Honestly even the 20 up front on the jet with the latex tube rides really smooth, and I run 100 psi.
FYI, the 20s I tested actually rolled faster than the 23s. That shouldn’t be the case but it was. Just by feel, I would guess the tread on the 20s is a little thinner.
I’m using the last generation SS.
I ride 25mm Conti GP TT with latex tubes. Love them. They’re fast as hell and have good puncture protection.
They should have lower rr than the 23 TT. But more air resistance (see the graph of Thomas Gerlach in this Thread). I run 23TT, but they are 25.5 mm pumped up on the rim. I also train with them. Had hardly any issues with them. Puncture protection is good, I think better than that of the SS.
Have you thought about Michelins?
This dude is the guru on fast tyres - see the table of tyres tested at this link:
http://bikeblather.blogspot.ru/2017/01/
and I strongly recommend you to listen to him on the CTT podcast, at this link:
http://cyclingtimetrialpodcast.libsyn.com/71-tom-anhalt-tire-rolling-resistance-expert
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This dude is the guru on fast tyres - see the table of tyres tested at this link:
http://bikeblather.blogspot.ru/2017/01/
and I strongly recommend you to listen to him on the CTT podcast, at this link:
http://cyclingtimetrialpodcast.libsyn.com/71-tom-anhalt-tire-rolling-resistance-expert
Very interesting. Haven’t had time to listen to the podcast, but will later today.
Sees like there’s no doubt that it’s either the Conti SS or TT or a combination there of (20ss up front and 23tt in the rear) that is the best protocol.
What I am confused about is running a 20mm up front when all the rage is to go wide, like 25mm+. Im all for running a 20mm up front, but tryinging to understand when people say “wider is better because lower pressure and less wheel hop, therefore faster.” Would I be correct in the instance of the SS and TT tire that the lower rr and better aerodynamics trump a wider/lower pressure tire?
Would I be correct in the instance of the SS and TT tire that the lower rr and better aerodynamics trump a wider/lower pressure tire?
For the front tire yes.
20 mm > 23 mm > 25 mm just in aerodynamics (20 mm is faster)
20 mm SS > 23mm SS > 23mm TT just in rolling resistance (20 mm SS has the lowest crr) based on recent Jens testing.
Would anyone’s recommendation change per course, i.e. Kona? I’ve always run GP4000SII (23mm F&R) with light butyl tubes, but am looking at changing for Kona this year. Given I’ve never used latex or sealant, and will be travelling quite a ways to get to Kona, for my sanity and stress in race week, I believe I’ll stick with butyl. I am looking for something other than the GP’s though, and going to a 25mm on the back. My decision seems to be down to the (new) Force/Attack Combo (very little out there on this set it seems?). Or, a TT combo F&R, or… I recognise the SS is a popular/well performing tyre from the numerous threads I’ve read, but I value low stress (yes flats could happen on any tyre) over performance in (my first trip to) Kona 
Future races, I might be more likely to roll the dice per se, thanks.
Honestly, you have nothing to fear and a lot to gain from going to latex. The procedure for latex is the same for butyl. For the rear, my go-to recommendation is the GP TT. If you’re not willing to roll the dice on a 20mm SS up front, I’d suggest the 22mm Attack (you can still find them).
So hypothetically, having never used sealant or latex before (but do consider myself ‘mechanically minded’). Arriving Kona >1 week out, ride on current GP/butyl for first day or so, start of race week, switch to new tyres + latex + sealant + couple of race week rides, all good?
I think that’s a reasonable plan.
Does anyone not run sealant in their latex? How much slower is it? First season running latex, and only done Oly distance on them. Probably should buy some for a full?
Ive ridden 3 halves and 2 olys this year with latex, first time using it as well and i dont run sealant. I have never had any issues. in between races tho i just make sure to keep some air in the tires so theyre not completely flat…
I rode for years on GP4000. Then I switched bikes, and I also switched to TT. For a year, the bike handled like crap, mostly on descent. Extremely unstable. I tried fit, higher / lower pressure, you name it. Wouldn’t solve the issue. This year I did a race that was supposed to be torrential rains (turned out it wasn’t). I decided to go back to GP4000 for the rain.
Stability issues completely gone. My N=1, Conti TT might be faster, but the handling is terrible.
A 20mm SS will measure around 24mm wide when mounted on a Jet+ rim. A 23mm tire will measure > 26mm on the same rim.
Does anyone not run sealant in their latex? How much slower is it? First season running latex, and only done Oly distance on them. Probably should buy some for a full?
I’ve used Vredestein latex (Conti gp4000sii tires) for past several years…do not use sealant. Mostly do OLY distance but have done two halfs and two fulls including Kona…no problems…no flats…yet. Also curious about the comment regarding Conti tt handling. Anyone else?
I have a Conti TT 23 I’ll use out back when the roads are wet for a little more protection, it corners just fine when it rains so I can’t see how it would be that bad. I’m pretty sure it has the same rubber compound as the rest of their line up.
Seriously love this forum. Just ordered a couple to keep in the personal inventory.
Are those older models of the SS from starbike?
No. New ones.