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Okay, truth in advertising here: I haven't ever used latex tubes for road bikes, BUT I have used them in my mtn bike, and they were fantastic!
Years ago, you may have seen an ad in the bike mags (MBA maybe) showing a guy stretching one of their wicked latex tubes over a wine bottle that had been purposely broken off with a church-steeple like shard of viciously upthrusting glass. That ad sold me, and I put them in my mtn bike tires.
Here's what I found with the mtn bike tubes: 1) The latex tubes, especially on a mtn bike, are significantly lighter; 2) they are far more resilient/stretchy than butyl; 3) yes, the physics on rolling resistance is correct; 4) I ran my mtn bike tires at 25 30 lbs for at least 6 years whilst riding quite hard and fast on very technical single-track trails filled with rocks and roots, and on very steep, fast rocky fire trails all without getting a single flat (granted I weigh 144 lbs but you get the picture).
Interestingly, nothing good lasts forever and eventually the tubes failed -on the same ride, within 1/4 mile of each other. My conclusion was that they have a lifespan and as manufactured products these were incredibly consistent. In the case of those tubes, it would be a good idea to change 'em out after about 4 years, whether they had failed or not. That's a pretty impressive duty cycle in my book.
Bottom line is about low weight and extreme durability. Hidden within that durability may exist the opportunity to run a relatively high pressure w/ less flatting from road hazards, but one should verify that w/ the manufacturer. I loved my latex tubes and will be using them again.Whether a quick hour ride or 3 4 hours in the saddle, in my opinion the value of latex vs. evo tubes is not worth the cost. I do not notice anything different with the ride.
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