Tire Test - Vittoria Open Corsa CX III Latex Tube

Test Summary

Conclusion: 4 / 5 Recommended
Weight: 237 grams
Rolling Resistance: 11.7 watts
Puncture Resistance: 12 / Not Tested

This is part two of a latex vs butyl road bike inner tube comparison. I'm going to use last week's review of the Continental Grand Prix 4000S II with a latex tube Read Here as a template and won't add much to this review except the data. This time I'm using the Vittoria Open Corsa CX III reviewed Here. Just like last weeks review I've substituted the standard 100 grams Continental butyl inner tube for a 80 grams Michelin AirComp A1 Latex tube. I've chosen the GP4000S II and Open Corsa CX III to test a latex inner tube simply because these are the fastest road bike tires I had the chance to test up to now.

If you're purely interested in the differences between butyl and latex tubes, I highly recommend you to also read this special article which includes latex,butyl and light butyl tubes.

Inner Tubes Specifications

Butyl Inner Tube

• Brand: Continental
• Model: Race 28, 18-25 x 622
• Weight: 100 grams

Latex Inner Tube

• Brand: Michelin
• Model: AirComp A1 Latex
• Weight: 80 grams

Manufacturer Specifications
Brand	Vittoria
Model	Open Corsa CX III Latex Tube
Year	2014
Tire Type	Tubetype (clincher)
Supplied By	Bought in store
New or Used	New
Mileage	0 km
Price Range	High
Price
Part number	111.391.SC.111.BX
TPI	320
Compound	ISOgrip Compound
Bead	Folding
ETRTO	25-622
Size Inch	28"
Width	25
Specified Weight	220 grams
Max Pressure	145
Made In	Thailand
Available Sizes	23-622 (700x23C) 25-622 (700x25C)

Test Results

Size and Weight Measurements

Size and Weight Measurements (Bike Wheel: 622x17C, Pressure: 100 psi / 6.9 bar)
Specified Weight	220 grams
Measured Weight	237 grams
Measured Width	28 mm
Measured Height	25 mm
Total Tire Thickness Center	No Data
Total Tire Thickness Sidewall	No Data

No differences, same as butyl inner tube.

Rolling Resistance Test Results

Rolling Resistance Test Results (Speed: 29 kmh / 18 mph / 8 m/s, Load: 42.5 kg / 417 N)
Inner Tube	Michelin Latex
Rolling Resistance 140 psi / 9.7 Bar	Not Tested CRR: Not Tested
Rolling Resistance 120 psi / 8.3 Bar	11.7 Watts CRR: 0.00351
Rolling Resistance 100 PSI / 6.9 Bar	12.2 Watts CRR: 0.00366
Rolling Resistance 80 PSI / 5.5 Bar	13.0 Watts CRR: 0.00390
Rolling Resistance 60 PSI / 4.1 Bar	14.6 Watts CRR: 0.00438
Use the formula: RR (watts) = CRR * speed (m/s) * load (N) to calculate rolling resistance at a given speed and load

The latex tube definitely has less rolling resistance when compared to the butyl tube, although the difference isn't as big as seen with mountain bike tires Read my special MTB article. Tests are run at 18 mph / 29 km/h, which might be a little low for road bikes.

• At 120 psi / 8.3 bar, the latex inner tube has 1.3 watts less rolling resistance.
• At 120 psi / 8.3 bar, Coefficient of rolling resistance (CRR) is 0.00039 lower


• At 100 psi / 6.9 bar, the latex inner tube has 1.4 watts less rolling resistance.
• At 100 psi / 6.9 bar, Coefficient of rolling resistance (CRR) is 0.0042 lower


• At 80 psi / 5.5 bar, the latex inner tube has 1.8 watts less rolling resistance.
• At 80 psi / 5.5 bar, Coefficient of rolling resistance (CRR) is 0.00054 lower


• At 60 psi / 4.1 bar, the latex inner tube has 2.3 watts less rolling resistance.
• At 60 psi / 4.1 bar, Coefficient of rolling resistance (CRR) is 0.00069 lower

Puncture Resistance Test Results

Puncture Resistance Test Results (higher is better)
Puncture Resistance Tread	12
Puncture Resistance Sidewall	Not Tested

No differences, same as butyl inner tube.

Conclusion

This is just added to the database as a reference, I've added an updated conclusion to the GP4000S II with latex tube review Read Here

RATING: 4 / 5
TEST VERDICT: Recommended

Comments