User submitted reviews
Review by ChallengerXunusable, dangerousby ChallengerXCompetitive RacerPortland, OR4 of 8 customers found this review helpful.Carefully mounted four times on two different rims, with partial low inflation and careful checking all around to be absolutely sure that there was no pinching anywhere. Each time, when pumping up and pressure reached about 100 psi, tube exploded. Then would patch hole and try again with different tire andor rim after checking for any sharp object or bump thru rim tape. Holes were always on the inside of the tube, but off center. Failure locations did not coincide with locations of grommet bumps or spoke hole edges. Rims were Mavic Open Pro and Kinlin 28mm deep, tires used were Vittoria Open Corsa, Forte Pro Plus, and Vredestein Fortezza Tricomp. No problems whatsoever using thin wall lightweight butyl tubes on identical applications.
NO, don't blame it on me. I am an expert bike mechanic, most likely been doing this since before you were born.
Also have had bad experiences with Challenge Criterium Open Tubulars which are exceptionally flat prone, especially on rear wheel, and have treads that will eventually start to peel off of the casings.
Reviewed 3/23/2015Was this review useful to you? Yes, review by ChallengerX was helpful/No, review by ChallengerX was not helpfulThank you for your feedback.
Carefully mounted four times on two different rims, with partial low inflation and careful checking all around to be absolutely sure that there was no pinching anywhere. Each time, when pumping up and pressure reached about 100 psi, tube exploded. Then would patch hole and try again with different tire andor rim after checking for any sharp object or bump thru rim tape. Holes were always on the inside of the tube, but off center. Failure locations did not coincide with locations of grommet bumps or spoke hole edges. Rims were Mavic Open Pro and Kinlin 28mm deep, tires used were Vittoria Open Corsa, Forte Pro Plus, and Vredestein Fortezza Tricomp. No problems whatsoever using thin wall lightweight butyl tubes on identical applications.
NO, don't blame it on me. I am an expert bike mechanic, most likely been doing this since before you were born.
Also have had bad experiences with Challenge Criterium Open Tubulars which are exceptionally flat prone, especially on rear wheel, and have treads that will eventually start to peel off of the casings.
Review by AnonymousBest latex tube I've foundby AnonymousCycling EnthusiastChicago, IL2 of 2 customers found this review helpful.These are light and add a small degree of comfort to your ride because they are more supple than butyl. Puncture resistance is on par with butyl tubes of similar thickness. The only real drawbacks are the high price and the need to check inflation more regularly as these do not hold air over long periods as well as butyl.
Reviewed 5/20/2013Was this review useful to you? Yes, review by Anonymous was helpful/No, review by Anonymous was not helpfulThank you for your feedback.
These are light and add a small degree of comfort to your ride because they are more supple than butyl. Puncture resistance is on par with butyl tubes of similar thickness. The only real drawbacks are the high price and the need to check inflation more regularly as these do not hold air over long periods as well as butyl.
Review by AnonymousLatex tubes are awesome by AnonymousCycling EnthusiastKapaa, Kauai1 of 1 customers found this review helpful.Light weight inner tube, No issues with installation as just be mind fold of the inner tube material as not to pitch the tube, I just followed some of the reviews on YouTube about installing them, Very supple ride like a cushion of air! Great inner tube for the buck..
Reviewed 8/20/2022Was this review useful to you? Yes, review by Anonymous was helpful/No, review by Anonymous was not helpfulThank you for your feedback.
Light weight inner tube, No issues with installation as just be mind fold of the inner tube material as not to pitch the tube, I just followed some of the reviews on YouTube about installing them, Very supple ride like a cushion of air! Great inner tube for the buck..
Review by GODOGGOI possibly got a stail one. by GODOGGOCycling EnthusiastOlympia WA1 of 1 customers found this review helpful. Just change a tire on my road bike with 28mms and grab the only challenge latex I had which I think I purchased 6 weeks ago.. This challenge is not super flexible like a V latex and the folds seem to be permanent.
perhaps the one I got had fallen in a hole a ware house 5 years ago but The tube i got just isn't the same product as the soft and flexible smooth riding V tubes. I threw it in the trash.
Reviewed 2/8/2022Was this review useful to you? Yes, review by GODOGGO was helpful/No, review by GODOGGO was not helpfulThank you for your feedback.
Just change a tire on my road bike with 28mms and grab the only challenge latex I had which I think I purchased 6 weeks ago.. This challenge is not super flexible like a V latex and the folds seem to be permanent.
perhaps the one I got had fallen in a hole a ware house 5 years ago but The tube i got just isn't the same product as the soft and flexible smooth riding V tubes. I threw it in the trash.
Review by JimmyDelicate to install. Great to ride onby JimmyAnn Arbor1 of 2 customers found this review helpful.This is the only CX size I have found in latex. Work well once you carefully install them. No tire irons.
Reviewed 1/7/2017Was this review useful to you? Yes, review by Jimmy was helpful/No, review by Jimmy was not helpfulThank you for your feedback.
This is the only CX size I have found in latex. Work well once you carefully install them. No tire irons.
Review by AnonymousThese tubes are prone to separate from the valve stem when pulling the chuck off. by AnonymousCycling Enthusiast17 mile drive mostly3 of 5 customers found this review helpful.They also balloon unpredictably with very little inflation visible. I suggest blowing into them to get shape before mounting on rim. I use them on fun rides because I like the feel. They make the tires more supple allowing a better ride at higher pressure or less wasted energy at lower pressure. My old tubulars were latex tubed and never lost a stem. These are cheaply made but not cheap.
Reviewed 4/27/2016Was this review useful to you? Yes, review by Anonymous was helpful/No, review by Anonymous was not helpfulThank you for your feedback.
They also balloon unpredictably with very little inflation visible. I suggest blowing into them to get shape before mounting on rim. I use them on fun rides because I like the feel. They make the tires more supple allowing a better ride at higher pressure or less wasted energy at lower pressure. My old tubulars were latex tubed and never lost a stem. These are cheaply made but not cheap.
Review by Anonymousits all goodby AnonymousCycling Enthusiast1 of 1 customers found this review helpful.I use them on a gravel bike
Reviewed 8/11/2022Was this review useful to you? Yes, review by Anonymous was helpful/No, review by Anonymous was not helpfulThank you for your feedback.
I use them on a gravel bike
Review by mikeGood Latex tube for crossby mikeCompetitive RacerKS5 of 5 customers found this review helpful.I have been using latex tubes for years in clinchers for racing and also with tubulars (different situation). I knew i wanted a latex tube for cross and this is really the only option out there. They are exactly like my vittoria road latex tubes, no issues in quality. Bleeds air at the normal rate for a latex tube, probably a bit less than normal. I would suggest getting some talc powder when installing to make it easier. When you install inflate them slightly to make sure you do not pinch flat them during the install. Also do not inflate and then see a bubble, then complain about quality, that is normal in all latex tubes.
Reviewed 9/20/2015Was this review useful to you? Yes, review by mike was helpful/No, review by mike was not helpfulThank you for your feedback.
I have been using latex tubes for years in clinchers for racing and also with tubulars (different situation). I knew i wanted a latex tube for cross and this is really the only option out there. They are exactly like my vittoria road latex tubes, no issues in quality. Bleeds air at the normal rate for a latex tube, probably a bit less than normal. I would suggest getting some talc powder when installing to make it easier. When you install inflate them slightly to make sure you do not pinch flat them during the install. Also do not inflate and then see a bubble, then complain about quality, that is normal in all latex tubes.
Review by AnonymousToo fragil for me.by AnonymousCycling EnthusiastFlorida4 of 12 customers found this review helpful.It took three tubes to get aired up the first time. Since they seep air you have to inflate them each time. They do not have threaded stems so just trying to inflate them damaged the tube. Three flats in 30 miles.
Reviewed 2/2/2015Was this review useful to you? Yes, review by Anonymous was helpful/No, review by Anonymous was not helpfulThank you for your feedback.
It took three tubes to get aired up the first time. Since they seep air you have to inflate them each time. They do not have threaded stems so just trying to inflate them damaged the tube. Three flats in 30 miles.
Review by Chris W.Nice paired with Open Tubulars but reliability issuesby Chris W.Cycling EnthusiastNew Orleans5 of 6 customers found this review helpful.I paired these with the Challenge Paris Roubaix 27mm tires for a super pseudo tubular feel, and it was all that was promised, supple and smooth! The front tube is still going strong but the rear failed where the valve connects to the tube after only a couple hundred miles. Based on other reviews, sounds like there's a quality control issue with these tubes. I've ordered some Vittoria latex as replacements as they seem to have a very positive response from the reviewing public.
Reviewed 1/15/2015Was this review useful to you? Yes, review by Chris W. was helpful/No, review by Chris W. was not helpfulThank you for your feedback.
I paired these with the Challenge Paris Roubaix 27mm tires for a super pseudo tubular feel, and it was all that was promised, supple and smooth! The front tube is still going strong but the rear failed where the valve connects to the tube after only a couple hundred miles. Based on other reviews, sounds like there's a quality control issue with these tubes. I've ordered some Vittoria latex as replacements as they seem to have a very positive response from the reviewing public.
Review by AnonymousNot worth the extra expense.by AnonymousCycling EnthusiastGrand Rapids, MI4 of 7 customers found this review helpful.These are much more fragile than traditional rubber tubes thus making it easy to destroy them while installing or changing a tire. I lost 1 of 2 during installation. The 2nd one simply blew while on a long ride. I had maybe 70 miles on it and at the time had it recommended inflation.
I wouldn't recommend them unless you know how to work with them.
Reviewed 10/16/2014Was this review useful to you? Yes, review by Anonymous was helpful/No, review by Anonymous was not helpfulThank you for your feedback.
These are much more fragile than traditional rubber tubes thus making it easy to destroy them while installing or changing a tire. I lost 1 of 2 during installation. The 2nd one simply blew while on a long ride. I had maybe 70 miles on it and at the time had it recommended inflation.
I wouldn't recommend them unless you know how to work with them.
Review by gravelerprobably better than Vittoria latex tubesby gravelerCompetitive RacerBoulder4 of 5 customers found this review helpful.I use these with Vittoria open corsa Pave 27 tires. Amazing ride. I've used the Challenge and Vittoria latex tubes over the years. I think the Challenge may be a little better made, they are also a little lighter. I put about 5-7ml of sealant in them with installation. Almost never a flat, if you do, you can usually pump them up again and it will hold. I ride this combo in the mtn gravel roads around Boulder on an S-works Roubaix. I like Caffe Latex over Stan's. regarding the air leak of course this will happen with all latex, just like tubulars. get used to it. I check the pressure and pump them up before every ride. I want different pressures depending on the road anyway. with latex you can more easily get away with low pressures. I weight 135lb and run 70-80psi rear and 70-60 front depending on surface and conditions.
Reviewed 7/22/2014Was this review useful to you? Yes, review by graveler was helpful/No, review by graveler was not helpfulThank you for your feedback.
I use these with Vittoria open corsa Pave 27 tires. Amazing ride. I've used the Challenge and Vittoria latex tubes over the years. I think the Challenge may be a little better made, they are also a little lighter. I put about 5-7ml of sealant in them with installation. Almost never a flat, if you do, you can usually pump them up again and it will hold. I ride this combo in the mtn gravel roads around Boulder on an S-works Roubaix. I like Caffe Latex over Stan's. regarding the air leak of course this will happen with all latex, just like tubulars. get used to it. I check the pressure and pump them up before every ride. I want different pressures depending on the road anyway. with latex you can more easily get away with low pressures. I weight 135lb and run 70-80psi rear and 70-60 front depending on surface and conditions.
Review by AnonymousLeakyby Anonymous3 of 6 customers found this review helpful.While it provides a smoother ride keep a bike pump handy. Half way trough a five hour ride I had to add 10 pounds. The latex tends to seep off very fast
Reviewed 6/26/2014Was this review useful to you? Yes, review by Anonymous was helpful/No, review by Anonymous was not helpfulThank you for your feedback.
While it provides a smoother ride keep a bike pump handy. Half way trough a five hour ride I had to add 10 pounds. The latex tends to seep off very fast
Review by gwpelhamVery versatile, very puncture resistant by gwpelhamCycling EnthusiastNorthern Nevada5 of 5 customers found this review helpful.I've used this tube for several years and never been disappointed. I ride both 23 and 25 mm tires and this tubes is great in both. I have a wheels with a variety of rim depth and the 48mm stem doesn't look silly on a standard rim but still accommodates a pretty wide arrow rim. The removable valve core makes adding a sealant like Stan's extremely easy.
It's extremely difficult to flat a latex tube. A latex tube with a sealer is almost impossible to flat with a good tire. Perfect for those subfreezing winter rides!
Reviewed 5/27/2014Was this review useful to you? Yes, review by gwpelham was helpful/No, review by gwpelham was not helpfulThank you for your feedback.
I've used this tube for several years and never been disappointed. I ride both 23 and 25 mm tires and this tubes is great in both. I have a wheels with a variety of rim depth and the 48mm stem doesn't look silly on a standard rim but still accommodates a pretty wide arrow rim. The removable valve core makes adding a sealant like Stan's extremely easy.
It's extremely difficult to flat a latex tube. A latex tube with a sealer is almost impossible to flat with a good tire. Perfect for those subfreezing winter rides!
Review by lewyA light weight tube, with good ride quality, at a good priceby lewyCycling EnthusiastNorthwest Illinios1 of 2 customers found this review helpful.I have a High performance Lowracer style of bicycle and these tubes do everything I bought them for.They are one of the lightest tubes I could find, always important on a bike and they give a noticably smoother ride than butyl inner tubes which lets you go farther and faster for a given watt output.
Reviewed 4/3/2014Was this review useful to you? Yes, review by lewy was helpful/No, review by lewy was not helpfulThank you for your feedback.
I have a High performance Lowracer style of bicycle and these tubes do everything I bought them for.They are one of the lightest tubes I could find, always important on a bike and they give a noticably smoother ride than butyl inner tubes which lets you go farther and faster for a given watt output.
Review by AnonymousNo Flatsby AnonymousCycling Enthusiast4 of 4 customers found this review helpful.My wife and I have been using these tubes for couple of years without any flats. In the winter we use Stan's sealant which is easy to install due to the removable valve core. I do replace the tubes at the same time as the tires, so I don't really test their durability.
Reviewed 2/28/2014Was this review useful to you? Yes, review by Anonymous was helpful/No, review by Anonymous was not helpfulThank you for your feedback.
My wife and I have been using these tubes for couple of years without any flats. In the winter we use Stan's sealant which is easy to install due to the removable valve core. I do replace the tubes at the same time as the tires, so I don't really test their durability.
Review by AnonymousGood, but not significantly different than butyl.by AnonymousCycling EnthusiastGrand Junction, Colo.3 of 5 customers found this review helpful.Using on my winter cyclocross bike for winter road riding (Trying to save a few grams on heavy winter tires).
No noticeable difference from butyl ride wise. No flats, bit more pumping up, but who cares. Not much weight saving.
Reviewed 2/7/2014Was this review useful to you? Yes, review by Anonymous was helpful/No, review by Anonymous was not helpfulThank you for your feedback.
Using on my winter cyclocross bike for winter road riding (Trying to save a few grams on heavy winter tires).
No noticeable difference from butyl ride wise. No flats, bit more pumping up, but who cares. Not much weight saving.
Review by MarianoI can notice the difference over Butylby MarianoChicago4 of 4 customers found this review helpful.I got these tubes for cyclocross so I could get better traction while cornering and in off camber sections. With the same pressure, I notice a little more supple feel compared to a butyl tube. Is it enough to make a real difference in a race, I can't say but for the price it can't hurt.
Reviewed 12/31/2013Was this review useful to you? Yes, review by Mariano was helpful/No, review by Mariano was not helpfulThank you for your feedback.
I got these tubes for cyclocross so I could get better traction while cornering and in off camber sections. With the same pressure, I notice a little more supple feel compared to a butyl tube. Is it enough to make a real difference in a race, I can't say but for the price it can't hurt.
Review by RDImproved ride quality using latex tubesby RDCycling EnthusiastCorvallis. MT6 of 6 customers found this review helpful.Couldn't believe the difference in the ride switching to latex tubes. More of a cushion air ride feel on shock absorbers. Measured weight on two different tubes was 76.8g and 77.6g which was higher than advertised but still good. You have to be more careful installing them as they are easier to puncture. I found that pumping them slightly with air first after installation on the rim under the tire, and then massaging all around the tire bead seems to give you a better chance that the tube will not get pinched by the tire as you gradually go to full pressure. I don't suggest trying to pump in any air prior to installation. It is true they lose pressure faster than butyl tubes when not in use, requiring you to check tire pressure before each ride, but the quality of ride is worth the time spent to do this, which should be done anyway if you care at all about your ride efficiency. If not, don't bother with latex tubes.
Reviewed 11/7/2013Was this review useful to you? Yes, review by RD was helpful/No, review by RD was not helpfulThank you for your feedback.
Couldn't believe the difference in the ride switching to latex tubes. More of a cushion air ride feel on shock absorbers. Measured weight on two different tubes was 76.8g and 77.6g which was higher than advertised but still good. You have to be more careful installing them as they are easier to puncture. I found that pumping them slightly with air first after installation on the rim under the tire, and then massaging all around the tire bead seems to give you a better chance that the tube will not get pinched by the tire as you gradually go to full pressure. I don't suggest trying to pump in any air prior to installation. It is true they lose pressure faster than butyl tubes when not in use, requiring you to check tire pressure before each ride, but the quality of ride is worth the time spent to do this, which should be done anyway if you care at all about your ride efficiency. If not, don't bother with latex tubes.
Review by Bobby BlingIts seems this batch of tubes from Thailand is better than previouslyby Bobby BlingNY2 of 2 customers found this review helpful.The sealed seam isnt bursting like shipments few months a ago, I like latex for ride & comfort but hate to pump up the jam every ride folks be sure to powder tube & tire to avoid pitch flat
Reviewed 11/2/2018Was this review useful to you? Yes, review by Bobby Bling was helpful/No, review by Bobby Bling was not helpfulThank you for your feedback.
The sealed seam isnt bursting like shipments few months a ago, I like latex for ride & comfort but hate to pump up the jam every ride folks be sure to powder tube & tire to avoid pitch flat