VittoriaCompetition Latex 700c Road Tube(Return to Product Page)

I had an unusual experience with these that I feel is worth documenting. I've used latex tubes for years now. When I installed these, the front went flat in about 2 hours, the rear went flat overnight. Now, I'm not talking about they lost a few psi, I know latex tubes do that. I'm saying totally zero psi, tire lost shape, board flat. I removed them, pumped them to hold shape, held them under water and couldn't find a leak anywhere. I then left them hanging on a chair with enough pressure for them to hold shape and they held that 5-8 psi for several days. Where did the air go? I decided to check the removable valve cores and they seemed to be loose. I removed the valve cores, put some teflon tape on the threads, tightened the cores back in the stems and installed the tubes in the same tires. They are now holding pressure just fine. So, if you have trouble with them going flat right away and the leak seems to be coming from the valve stem area, it may just be that the removable valve core is loose and needs to be tightened or sealed with teflon tape.

Ah, latex tubes. True geekery. For sure they are lighter. I think they improve road feel but that could be just in my head. Yes, you have to be careful putting them on and yes, you have to inflate them before every ride. Once set up I think they are a little more fragile that a regular tube but worth it. Im not sure the difference between the Silca product made by Vittoria and the Vittoria's. I seem to have a little better luck with the Silcas. But thats not a scientific evaluation. I like latex and these are my favorites. also Bike Tires Direct has also become my go to on line resource. Fast even to the East coast and really great service when necessary.

After a full blown fit of rage after my husband decided to ride my bike on completely flat tires which shredded my tubes, I decided to come here looking for the perfect replacement. These look and feel great, installed beautifully and have already gone 200+ miles without any issues.

I tried Challenge latex, horrible, lasted 2 weeks, failed in the same place around the valve. Didn�t give up on latex, and got the Vittoria. They�re awesome tubes, ride like my old Clement tubulars almost! Just be careful mounting, and taking them off. Great video on Oz Cycle about taking clinchers off without levers. I haven�t tried Michelin, but these are really good.

Practically the same rolling resistance as tubeless. So noticeably faster and responsive than the old butyl tubes. Feels like an instant upgrade to racing wheels, and much better puncture resistance than butyl as well.

My 150-lb self runs these on road bikes, 25c to 28c tires.

For 25c inflate to 70psi for training rides, 80psi for races.

For 28c tires inflate to 55psi (no racing on these).

Better grip. road feel, pinch-flat protection.

I once neglected to check pressure before a race, double-flatted on a pothole, but neither tire went flat immediately like a butyl tube would have. I was able to safely come to a stop even while bombing downhill after the pothole.

Highly recommend this product.

Check tire pressure before each ride though, because latex does leak air.

I stayed away from Latex inner tubes thinking they were too delicate, but this has not proven to be the case. And since I always pump my tires before every ride, I don't mind that they loose pressure overnight. The feel is noticeable, and combined with a 300+ TPI cotton tire, the ride is incredible. Unless I'm riding a lot of crappy chip-seal or bad pavement, I prefer 25c tires over 28c tires. The latex tubes gives the 25c tire about the same feel as a high quality 28c with butyl tubes, but the 25 provides more road feel without the marshmellowy, "are my tires flat" feel.

Always pump air every ride losing air is that normal

I got these for my Vitoria Corsa N.ext tires. Immediately after riding I could tell a difference from a butal tube. Take your time on the install though. I carry butal tube in case of a flat.

Supple, stretchy, and flexible. They feel better and reduce rolling resistance compared to butyl tubes. No sealant required. No goat heads where I live so your mileage may vary.

There are already a lot of great reviews that contain sage advice on how to install and maintain these tubes. I can only add that I have gotten into the habit of holding the valve when taking the chuck off to avoid pulling the valve away from the tube.

I know some don't like latex tubes. For me these have been a god-send. I reduced my flat frequency to basically zero once I got these and the rolling resistance is obviously lower (perceptibly so). Running them in Conti GP 4000 SIIs on both road bikes I ride. I was getting many more flats on the same roads with butyl tubes - so surprisingly latex ends up more comfortable, faster, and cheaper to operate than butyl. Not to mention getting to avoid roadside tube changes. Yes, you got to pump before every ride, but to me that's worth it to not flat.

For those of us that are still running tubes, why not save some weight where the weight savings is most critical, rotational weight. I run these on the front, under Conti GP5000 tires. Because I seldom get a flat in the front, I go light. In the rear I run with Conti Gatorskins and conventional tubes. There are a lot of puncture hazards here in southern Utah.

Always pump air every ride losing air is that normal

As far as I can tell, they are working well; they should save a few watts, if that's a concern. I personally prefer the threaded Presta valve stems; these have a smooth valve stem.

You might beat the performance of latex tubes if you go tubeless, but good tires with latex tubes are hard to beat. Yes, they leak a little air and you have to top them off before each ride. But they're fast and durable.

combined with some quality tires this is the cheapest upgrade you can do to your bike...I have these with vittoria corsa tires and they make the bike ride like a cadillac! barely feel like u have wheels on!

This is my second set of latex tubes, they work great with the Conti 4000 tires I have. The last set was a different brand which also worked well. With those I had two flats, both caused by my rim, slipped rim strip in one case and the other by a small hole in the rim covered by a sticker which gave way when I replaced the rim strip with Veloplugs. I was able to repair both holes with standard tube patches, however the holes are impossible to find roadside without a tank of water to put the tube into. The tubes get stretched out over time and need to be replaced probably annually, or when you replace your tires if you avoid flats. The ride is worth it though.

Vittoria latex tubes are a quick and relatively cheap way to improve your bike's ride quality. Paired with a high thread count tire, the setup feels close to tubulars. Latex also reduces tires' rolling resistance, so you theoretically should get a little more speed for your power vs. butyl tubes. The latex tubes do bleed a little air overnight, so they're not great for commuting,. But if you want to spice up your racing or fun bike, these will do it.

I use these on my Cannondale CAAD 10 with Zipp 202 Firecrest clincher wheels. I figured it was down to Michelin's or these. One Michelin flatted on install. I'm using the 24-28mm tubes with my 23mm Continental 4000S II's, and they feel great. Only 8g. difference between 19-23mm (70g) and 24-28mm (78g) tubes. Michelin 23mm were 80g. I weigh 145, these feel great with only 90 psi, but feel slow, fill to 115 min for speed. Always a trade off, comfort or speed, take your pick, but you can do both with these tubes.