Posted at: May. 16, 2022
There are two types of bicycle tire tubes, latex tubing and butyl tubing. The following is a summary of the differences between the two and which one you should choose.
Table of contents
Sponsored Link
Latex is a type of rubber. There are “natural rubber latex” made from natural rubber and “synthetic rubber latex” made from petroleum, but most bicycle tube latex is “synthetic rubber latex.
Latex is characterized by its resistance to deterioration, elasticity, and resilience. Medical gloves are made of latex, and they do not break when pulled, return to their original shape firmly, and are thin but firm, making them “thin, light, and strong” in bicycle tire tubing.
Compared to butyl tubing, latex tubing is about twice as expensive.
Butyl tubing is made of butyl rubber, whose main ingredient is isobutene, a petroleum-based material. In contrast to latex, which was characterized by its “thin and strong” properties, butyl is characterized by its “just plain toughness.
Butyl rubber is so tough that it is used in waterproof tape, the inner lining of sports balls, the inner liner of tubeless tires in automobiles, and electric wires.
As a bicycle tube, butyl tubing is also sturdier than latex tubing, but its thickness increases its weight.
Butyl tubing is generally the most commonly distributed type of tire tubing.
| Latex Tubing | Butyl Tubing | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | High | Cheap |
| Weight | Light | Slightly heavy |
| Durability | Not so high | High |
| Heat Resistance | Low | High |
| Rolling resistance | Low | High |
The advantage of butyl tubing is its cheapness. Tire tubes for road bikes, cross bikes, and other sports bicycles can be obtained for as little as $3 if they are butyl. Latex tubes, on the other hand, are usually over $10 per tube, and the most expensive ones cost about $20 per tube.
Butyl is also more durable, so butyl tubes are more cost-effective overall. Therefore, butyl tube is recommended for daily use such as commuting and city riding.
Also, the “spare tube” that you carry on your road bike or cross bike is also safer if you use butyl tube, which is stronger in terms of material, as a flat tire means that there is some kind of problem with the tire, so you should use butyl tube as your spare tube.
The advantages of latex tubing are weight reduction and reduced rolling resistance. Since latex is an elastic and resilient material, it flexibly conforms to the shape of the tire, reducing friction with the tire and rolling resistance.
When racing or riding long distances, it is important to have a bike that is as lightweight and has low rolling resistance as possible, so latex tubing should be used for such applications.
However, latex tubing is sensitive to heat, so be careful when using it on carbon wheels for rim brakes, as the heat from the rim can deteriorate the latex and cause a puncture.
Sponsored Link
What is a Tire Insert? Advantages and Disadvantages
This section summarizes what tire inserts are and the advantages and disadvantages of using them, which have been attracting attention along with the spread of tubeless tires and have recently been used in professional road racing.
Summary of Shimano disc brake pad types and compatibility
This section summarizes the types of Shimano disc brake pads, the differences between models, and compatible brake calipers.
TPI, Compound, Tread? Understanding Bicycle Tire Specifications
When looking for items to upgrade your road, MTB, or gravel bike tires, technical terms such as TPI, compound, and pattern appear in the descriptions. At first glance, tire specifications may seem difficult to understand, but if you keep only the important details in mind, your tire selection will be enhanced.
What is a torque wrench? Advantages and disadvantages of torque management
A torque wrench is a useful tool to have if you want to properly maintain your road bike or MTB. The following is a summary of what a torque wrench is and the advantages and disadvantages of torque management.
The bead won't come up! How to raise the bead on tubeless tires
Bead raising" is an essential task with tubeless tires. However, there are times when it is easy to raise the bead, and other times when it does not raise at all despite your best efforts. In this issue, we will introduce a method to raise the bead of a tubeless tire that will not raise, considering the cause.
What is bicycle disc rotor distortion? What causes it and how to correct the distortion
If you hear a strange "shuffling" noise coming from the disc rotor area of your disc brake bicycle, it could be disc rotor distortion. This section summarizes why disc rotor distortion occurs and how to correct the distortion.
Tubeless is reassuring to have! Summary of air pumps with booster/boost function
The booster simplifies bead raising, which is the most difficult part of tubeless installation. We have compiled a list of air pumps with booster(boost functions) that are reassuring to have one.
What is hookless rim? Advantages, Disadvantages and Points to Consider When Choosing
Many "hookless rim" wheels are lightweight and cost-effective. What is hookless? We have compiled a list of advantages and disadvantages of hookless, as well as points to keep in mind when choosing.
What is the ASTM standard for bicycle wheels?
What is the ASTM standard for bicycle wheels? We have compiled a list of points to note when choosing a wheel.
What to do when you get a flat tire with a tubeless or tubeless ready tire
Tubeless tires have seen a dramatic increase in the number of users over the past few years. Even with tubeless and tubeless ready tires, punctures cannot be reduced to zero. The following is a summary of the causes of punctures and how to deal with them.
How to check compatible tires from wheel specs
When trying to change tire thickness on a road bike or other sport bicycle, it is important to know what tire size the wheel will allow. In this article, we will show you how to find out which tires are compatible with your wheel based on its specifications.
What is a tubeless valve? Types and How to Choose
The tubeless valve is an essential item for tubeless use. What is a tubeless valve, tubeless valve types, and how to select one are summarized below.
What is SRAM's XDR and XD? What is the difference from Shimano?
The following is a summary of SRAM's proprietary XD and XDR standards, what makes them different from Shimano's, and what to look for when purchasing.
Summary of Shimano wide ratio sprockets for road bikes
Shimano wide-ratio sprockets for road bikes are listed here, including compatibility by step number.
Summary of 12-speed chains for use with Shimano road bike and MTB components
We have compiled a list of 12-speed chains that can be used with Shimano road bike and MTB components. Also about chain compatibility with chains from manufacturers other than Shimano.
Types of bicycle disc brake mounts, how to recognize them, and how to choose an adapter.
Mounting adapters for bicycle disc brakes are essential when changing calipers with different standards or rotor sizes. This section explains the types of mount adapters, how to recognize them, and the model numbers of Shimano's mount adapters.
Inside, outside serrations? Types of center lock locking rings
There are two types of lock rings for center locking disc brakes, inner serration and outer serration. The following is a summary of the differences and how to select the right one.
Summary of mechanical disc brake calipers for road use
Mechanical disc brake calipers are easy to maintain and a low-cost way to upgrade from rim brake components to disc brakes. We have lined up models from major manufacturers and compared them.
What is a Through Axle? Types and How to Choose
Through-axle is becoming a major fixation method for disc brake wheels. What is a through-axle? Here is a summary of what types are available.
Difference between 700C and 650B, advantages and disadvantages
With the popularity of gravel road bikes and the spread of disc brakes, the choice of road bike wheel size has become not only the standard 700C, but also 650B. In this issue, we will look at the differences between 700C and 650B, and the advantages and disadvantages of each.