Rather than start a similar thread I thought I’d post in an existing thread about repairing latex tubes. I haven’t come across anyone write this so here it goes. I’ve been running latex on and off for a couple decades and for whatever reason today was the first day I used the technique below to find the hole as that seems to be the most difficult part to patching.
As you all know due to the “bulge” when filling the tube with air it’s difficult to get enough pressure in the tube to hear, feel or see the hole. To easily find it fill with enough air to not get the bulge; submerge the tube in the bathtub; stretch a section of the tube under the water between your hands to expose/open the hole. The more you stretch the more likely you’ll see bubbles. Patch normally from there.
I got tired of having to inflate my latex tubes every ride. I switched to the new Thermoplastic Polyurethane tubes. Light like latex. Very nice ride. Very puncture resistant like butyl but not near as bulky in the saddle pack.
So I wanted to share this with everyone here: I had a puncture in one of my Vittoria latex tubes but felt really stingy throwing out a $30 tube and I didn’t have any patches to use at the time. So for the spirit of science i went super cheap and cut out a fingernail size of Gorilla brand duct tape and put it over the hole.
I’m happy to report that I’ve been running this tube inside my road bike for over a month now and it has not let me down yet.
So, here it is, if you’re in a pinch on a road and find yourself with a latex flat, just put some duct tape over the hole if you can find it and it should at minimum take you back home.
Unrepairable latex tubes are more repurpose-able than butyl tubes because they are so stretchy. You can cut short sections of them to make tiny rubber bands, or make exercise bands by taking a long section and gluing the ends together.