Latex inner tubes updated

[Retrorockit]

I haven't had good results with Latex tubes and Latex sealants. Maybe if you set it up for each race it would last long enough. But that's the part of the racing game that doesn't interest me. Tubeless lets you go below 30psi. But the plush RH tires ride just fine and roll fastest at 33psi, so tubeless doesn't have anything to offer me. I just want the Latex tubes to hold air, and self seal small punctures. My Ebike experience tells me this is achievable. RH offer his tires in 4 casing weights. Many racers in the harder events don't run the Extralight casings, but the Edurance version. There is also an Endurance Plus for loaded touring situations. So a lot may depend on the specific tire, or specific event being run.

 

[Retrorockit]

If you want to try the hack I would use the Specialized 2bliss sealant. It's rated for tubeless use, and Latex tubes. It's one of the Glycol sealants, so stays in the tire indefinitely. It doesn't seem to be in the supply chain yet, but it can be ordered.

 

[Retrorockit]

The Airlock sealant is not bad to work with. It's very thick so a hard push on plunger of the injector tool was required. But since the sealant itself doesn't dry there was no rush to clean out the tool. I could take my time and mount the tire and the sealant still washed out with warm water. The plastic tube provided under the cap is useless. It's crimped in several places from being wrapped too tight. Have another method ready if you try this.
The pressure loss is in a manageable range. RH says fastest rolling resistance at 42 and 33psi (equal resistance) at my weight.
So I put 45psi in the rear, and after 2 days end up at 30psi. But the difference at the other pressure is small. It only starts to get bigger if you play the low psi games that tubeless provides. My bike is an XC Softtail, so I have little extra cush there anyway.

 

[Retrorockit]

No problems with the rear tube, so I did the front also. This got rid of the silly Presta valve. So Rh Extralight slicks, and Latex tubes, not just for the weight savings but for much faster rolling. The Glycol sealant is hopefully going to provide the reliability that sealed tubes have been providing on my Ebike. So light weight, smooth ride, fast rolling, good traction, and hopefully no flats or repairs with the delicate racing tubes. The bike does seemt o be free rolling. Even with the custom front freewheel setup draggiing the chain around all the time (something else inherited from the Ebike).

 

[Retrorockit]

After a couple rides the air retention n the rear tire improved quite a bit. The front one did also after few more days.. I no longer need to overinflate for air loss. 36psi goes down to 28psi over 2 days. So I can work around the 33psi sweet spot for these tires.
So there are a couple Glycol sealants made for this purpose, and they seem to work quite well so far.

 

[baron von greenback]

Ok mate have tried any of this with retro rims and tyres cheers

 

[Retrorockit]

My rims are 20yo Mavic Crossrides. The original version with eyelets and 24 bladed spokes. The modern RH Extralight tires are so thin that tubeless is very difficult with them. TBH I'm not sure how much advantage there would be to these tubes with older stiff tires. Maybe it would add something, maybe not? But modern performance is there to be had on older 26" bikes. Fast rolling, smooth ride, good traction, and light weight where it really counts. RH says these tires are made to last, not some soft compound disposable racing tire. They also claim their knobbies roll as fast as their slicks. The Pro riders feel a power loss as the knobs bend, so it's not all equal. But you don't need to run slicks to do this.

 

[Retrorockit]

I don't need to check pressure on these any more often than my regular bike. I always need to add some more air. But my gauge is in the pump, so not much effort required. Especially the hand held battery powered compressor. 4psi/day loss, the same as the toxic foaming Synthetic Latex sealant I started with. I never did get many flats on the pedal bike. But I do take it into town (in the back of a van) every now and then for some urban riding. I think I've solver the Latex tube air loss issues, and have some good flat protection in place. Probably a good idea with the Extralight tires.