VredesteinRace Latex Road Tube(Return to Product Page)

I've been using Vittoria latex tubes on a whole bunch of my bikes for over a dozen years. I've had maybe 3 flats with them in all that time. This felt a lot more delicate out of the box. First set mounted no problem but the rear split during the first ride. Didn't think much about it. Today I mounted another set of these with some brand new Conti GP 5000s tires on some newer rims in great shape. Did all the usual stuff I do with any inner tube to include partly inflating and then going around the whole bead on both sides to make sure nothing was pinched. Both tube failed around 70 psi as I went to fully inflate the tires. Never again, I"ll stick to VIttoria's.

In addition to the light weight and better rolling resistance, these tubes can be easily and reliably patched. And this is one of the reasons I prefer them to the somewhat butylized Michelin and Vittoria latex.

BUT... do not use a traditional patch. Most flats with these are tiny, pin-prick holes. Cut a circle of latex from an unsalvageable tube (12 inch diameter is usually large enough) and spread some Rema cold vulcanizing fluid on the tube and patch. Let the vulcanizing fluid dry and then press the patch onto the tube until it bonds. I've had one of these that I used for several years with 10 patches on it!

I carry a butyl tube for on-road repairs and have been very satisfied with these Vredestein latex tubes.

I've been using these latex tubes for couple of years now and have not had the problems that others are having. They are easy to work with initially, have great ride quality, and seem reliable. I've also tried Vittoria and Challenge latex tubes, but these are my current favorite. The caveat with these tubes is that they stretch lengthwise over time. So, if you have to take the tiretube off the wheel for any reason (e.g. to trueround the wheel), it is trickier to put the tube back in, because the overall length of the tube has increased and so you end up having to deal with slack. I've never had this problem with any other inner tube, latex or butyl, so I am not sure what's up. Otherwise, recommended.

Sure, these are super light and awesome when they work. However I've been through well over a dozen of these and more than half of them have failed at install or soon thereafter. No I'm not a novice at installation and these weren't pinches or due to a tirewheel issue, and I have been very gentle with these given how lightthin they are.

When they work they are great, but you'll need a mess of them in your jersey and saddle bags to offset the quality control issues. I had a good run initially but even after the manufacturer sent me some comp replacements I continue to experience poor quality in the product.

I so wanted to love these, but I've settled back to 'heavier' latex tubes (e.g. Vittoria or Michelin) that are more reliable.

Pros

Benefits of latex, (lightest tube I've found at 48g, good volume expansion)

About as puncture resistant as any other race-lite tubes

Short stem, removable valve cores

Cons

Price $$$$

STRETCHY - Once they start stretching out, which happens after the first few hundred miles, they are quite finicky to install. Your best bet is to go slow, use some sort of talcum powder and situate the bunched up tube sections around the rim such that you can air it up and reposition as you go.

For repairs, I've used the Park Tool adhesive patches with limited success (they will come off over time like any stick on patch), but have found the vulcanized patches to hold best.

I basically only use these for race situations anyway.

Over the past several months, I've had four of these tubes fail rapidly in the same place where the latex meets the black rubber around the valve stem. I ended up creating short (approx. 2 inches) rim strips from one of the failed tubes and put it between the tube and rim at the valve. This seems to have at least extended the life of a couple tubes I have installed (along with lots of talc). In any case, I don't plan to buy any more of these tubes. They do make for a great ride paired with 25mm Conti GP 4000's, however.

I bought two tubes, One popped immediately after pumping up the tire. It had popped in five places along a two inch line a line of weak material. I immediately took the other tube out of the other tire. I don't trust these tubes.

Latex is supposed to be the way to go. It's more supple and it is SUPPOSED to be more flat resistant than regular butyl tubes. I knew I would need to pump my tires more often, but that was something I was willing to live with. Instead I got tubes that while light weight, they would flat if you looked at them funny. I am very disappointed with these.

I use these with a pair of 25mm Michelin Pro 4 Endurance tires at 90 psi and they really take away road chatter and roll smoothly. I have them mounted on a 40mm carbon rim with disc brakes and I needed to add a 20mm Continental valve extender and they are perfect. It's nice that the valves screw out so you can mount a proper valve extender then screw the valve back into it. So far no flats after a few months use. I like these tubes.

These tubes are most definitely different. They feel like balloons when handling them. They also have to be pumped up every day. I am using Conti 4000 tires with them and I can tell a difference in the ride. My first ride I could really feel a spongy, soft feel to the tires. I didn't really notice this for too long, but every now and then I notice it. I pump them up to 100psi. I need to try other pressures. I have a 23 in the front and a 25 in the back. Good ride, seems to be fast, I would buy them again. My last couple of sets of tires were Tufos for clincher rims. Over the winter I was riding Conti trainer tires on a set of rollers and started with the Contis and these tubes this spring.

I have been riding these tubes for a few years now and find them to be very durable. The ride quality, when paired with my Conti tires, is exceptionally smooth. With this combination, I rarely flat and can easily go an entire season on a single pair of tubes. The only problem I ever experience with these tubes, is availability.

I highly recommend this product!

These tubes are extremely light but due to their suppleness I actually get fewer punctures than I do using standard tubes. Ride quality is also quite a bit better. One warning The 60mm valve length isn't quite 60mm. I use 45mm rims and I am just able to get the pump clamped onto these valves. I don't think they would work with a 50mm rim.

You also need to be very careful mounting these tubes as they are extremely thin and it doesn't take much to tear them. Then again, that is what makes them ride so nice.

I use these tubes with 20mm race tires at 140 psi. as well as 25mm winter tires at 100 psi. They work great in both.

Very good tube that offers lightest weight I have found. Must inflate before each ride. Will lose about 10-20 psi overnight. Use talc to install to prevent pinching. Gives a different ride feel over butyl tubes. Highly recommend. Found on BTD for only 10 bucks per tube. Great deal! Enjoy!

It's the lightest latex tube on the market.....49 grams.....rubber-tubes weigh-in at 100 to 150 grams......also latex is more resisent to punctures.....(they also save up to 5 watts in needed power to turn the wheels). One down side....need to air-up more often.

I have been using this latex tubes for four years now. I have had many problems caused by rim strip being wrinkled in (hence, exposing the nipple holes) by the Vittoria SC EVO Open Corsa tight fit into my Neuvation SL28 rims, resulting on flats. If you have this problem, don't use Velox tape, don't use Rox ultra light tape (I love it!, but does not work on this tight rim/tire combination). Use Continental Easy Tape. That resolved my three year stubbornness. Road feel is different (makes the Vittoria Open Corsa's feel exactly the same as the tubular version I also have). When you ride the same road over and over, you can feel a change. You can notice it, especially when the road texture gets coarse. More supple ride results on better traction stability, and this will give you confidence cornering. Well worth the special care you need to take, especially upon installation. Also, don't forget to take a conventional glue and patch kit with you, since self glued patches do not work on latex tubes (I tried Specialized, and Park patches, save yourself this learning curve). Use talc upon installation! And make sure you clean off the talc when installing a patch, or be prepared for frustration. Take a spare tube with you (this one can be butyl, LOL). I refuse to go back to butyl!! I have also tried the pink Vittoria latex tubes, but they are thicker, hence heavier, and just as fragile. Being careful with both will produce the same result, I believe.

A terrific ride at about 110 lbs. Rolls well is reasonably puncture resistant and light. Don't forget to talc inside the tire.

Just an update to my earlier review.

In 2017, I rode over 11,000 km between Apr 9th and Nov 8th on GP 4000s with Vredestein latex tubes. Replaced rear tire twice from wear and one front tire from wear, but used two tubes for the whole season and had NO flats.

These are great tubes, but now it appears to be impossible to get them.

I've read all the one-star reviews from people who, possibly, don't understand how to mount a light tube, so I guess BTD probably can't sell enough to make it worth carrying them. Too bad.

I use these with Continental GP4000SII's on an old high end steel-frame road bike. I weigh 150 lb and run a pretty low pressure (80 psi) but the combination feels fast and is very smooth riding. Handling is exceptional and no flats in 500 miles. The only negative is that like all latex tubes they need to be re-inflated before each ride - a minor inconvenience for such a supple feel.

I bought these for my time trial bike. I've only used it in the front wheel so far, running a slightly heavier Vittoria latex tube in the rear. Been happy with their performance.

Pros

Lightweight. Mine weighed in at 48 grams.

Faster than a cheap butyl tube (I do use cheap butyls in 90% of my annual mileagehours.)

Durable enough so far (500-550 miles wo punctures) IN FRONT WHEEL (with Veloplugs in lieu of rim tape.)

Removable valve core (if this doesn't matter to you, you're probably buying the wrong tube.)

Cons

Thin. Would easily herniate through the slightest sidewall gash, spoke hole edge, etc.

Extreme care needed to install. I use Rema talc and a lot of time to make sure it's done right. No beater tire irons. Bring a butyl tube as your roadside spare

Expensive.

I'm not listing needs to be pumped up before each ride. That is not a con.

Would recommend these, albeit for fairly specific applications.

I really was looking forward to trying out latex tubes due to all the positives I had heard about them. This was my third and final attempt and these tubes disappointed as well. One flatted within the first week and the replacement I tried had a weak spot and ballooned as I was gently filling it initially. Back to butyl for now and will try tubeless next.