Latex tube pressures

[Broadside]

I've recently bought some Michelin latex tubes for my 700x23c Michelin Pro4 Service Course tyres. I had heard good things about latex tubes with better handling and speed but I'm not sure what to make of them.

I started running them at the same pressure I ran the butyl inners (90 rear 85 front) I am just over 12 stone. I found the ride completely different, almost like the bike had some sort of active suspension and I was getting bounced all over the place. I have now tried them at 110 rear 105 front and the ride is much firmer and less bouncy but quite harsh compared to the butyl inners at a lower pressure.

I'm interested to hear other opinions on latex inners. They certainly didn't disappoint on providing a different ride but I am not sure that I like the difference. Should they be run at the same pressure as butyl inners or are they best run at something different?

 

[ColinJ]

20 PSI is a big step up in pressure - why not try some pressures in between? I'd be tempted to split the difference and try 100 rear and 90-95 front.

I haven't tried latex tubes, but I would find 110/105 PSI harsh on ordinary tubes.

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

I've run them based on the perceived weight properties as well as rolling resistance. I have stopped using them as you can also get normal lightweight tubes which offer some of these advantages so I now use these.
Latex tubes need pumping up more regular and seem to be more sensitive to changes in pressure and Tyre than a traditional tube.
I ran latex tubes at 120 psi front and rear, same as I run normal tubes.

 

[VamP]

I go 110 psi front, 120 rear and the ride quality is AWESOME. I had cause to put a butyl tube in for a few days recently, and I hated the feel. I certainly don't get bouncing - more a ironing out of road imperfections.

You do need to pump them up every day though.

 

[Broadside]

I'm happy to check and pump them up before every ride, that bit doesn't bother me as I tend to check tyres before every ride anyway. It looks like I need to experiment with different tyre pressures a bit more before I consign them to the spares shelf!

 

[fossyant]

110 rear 100 front - same with butyl. Fine. They make a lovely whoosh. Can't say I notice the ride over lightweight butyl tubes, but the sound is awesome.