Cycling tires - tubeless vs tube tires

Tubeless Tires: Advantages and Disadvantages

For cyclists looking for a smoother, more stable ride with fewer concerns about punctured tires, tubeless tire technology is a great solution. However, like any innovation in the cycling world, this tire-sealing method has both its supporters and critics. In this article, we discuss the key arguments to help you decide whether to go for tubeless tires or stick with traditional tubes.

What are Tubeless Tires?

It’s sometimes still said that tubeless bike tires are a recent innovation in the cycling world. This is not entirely true, as this technology was first used in the cycling industry back in 1999 for mountain biking disciplines. It took some time for tubeless tires to make their way into road bikes due to design changes needed for wheels and tires, but now tubeless tires are the dominant choice.

In short, tubeless tires are designed to hold air without an inner tube. Instead of using a tube, a special design ensures that the tires seal tightly to the rim, while a special sealing fluid (sealant) helps to fill small gaps and punctures.

To use this technology on your bike, you’ll need to ensure that your bike’s wheels are compatible with tubeless tires and purchase tubeless-specific tires. If you get a major puncture that requires quick repair, you can still use a tube inside the tubeless tire.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Tubeless Tires

The best way to understand tubeless tire technology is to examine its pros and cons, particularly in terms of performance, usability, and maintenance when not riding.

Advantages:

• Lower air pressure and better traction. A key feature of tubeless tires is the lower air pressure required for proper functioning. Riding with softer tires increases traction and reduces rolling resistance. You can imagine that when riding over rough surfaces, such as stones, the bike rolls smoothly over them rather than bouncing off. Better traction also significantly increases stability on descents — you may feel like you’re riding slower, but your bike computer will show a higher speed. This might happen because softer tires make the ride feel more stable.

  You can determine the necessary tubeless tire pressure using special calculators that consider tire width, bike type, your weight, and the bike’s weight to calculate the correct pressure. Alternatively, you can try different pressure levels and determine what works best for you.

• Lower risk of punctures. Since you’ll be riding with softer tires, you’re less likely to puncture them. Even if a puncture does occur, the sealant automatically fills small holes. Sometimes, you may only notice a puncture when you get home and inspect the tire, as it may have sealed itself while you were riding. If the sidewall of the tire is punctured, it’s recommended to tilt the bike and move it to allow the sealant to flow into the puncture site — then you can inflate the tire and continue riding.

• Comfort and shock absorption. Choosing the right tubeless tire pressure based on rider weight, riding style, and tire width results in excellent shock absorption. This is especially beneficial when riding on gravel or tackling challenging road sections.

Disadvantages:

• More complex installation. Installing tubeless tires requires a good understanding of the technology, particularly how to properly fill them with sealant. So, if you decide to install tubeless tires yourself, you’ll likely need to watch several instructional videos. Fortunately, many bike repair shops can take care of tubeless tire installation and sealant refilling for you.

• Higher cost. Currently, tubeless tires, sealants, and repair kits are slightly more expensive than traditional tube tires. However, tubeless options are available for every budget, as all major tire manufacturers offer them: Schwalbe, Continental, Specialized, WTB, Panaracer, and others. Sealant prices also vary — you can find products from brands like Silca, Stan’s, Squirt, and more. Continental bike tires offer a particularly wide range, but Maxxis tires and their maintenance products are just as reliable.

• More maintenance required. It’s important to know that tubeless tire sealant needs to be checked and topped up regularly because it dries out over time and forms a film inside the tire. If you’re not using the bike, you’ll need to manually move and spin the wheels every few weeks to prevent the sealant from drying out. It’s also important to replenish the sealant every few months and re-seal the tires each season by removing the old sealant and filling the tire with new sealant.

Repairing Tubeless Tires

Another unique aspect of tubeless tires is how they are repaired after a puncture. We’ve already mentioned that small holes are sealed by the sealant, but what happens when the tire is more seriously damaged? You’ll need to learn how to use tubeless tire repair tools, which will allow you to continue riding even after a puncture.

If you find a larger puncture, you’ll need a tire repair tool that resembles a large needle, into which you insert special sticky strip patches. Choose a patch of adequate thickness, insert the tool with the patch into the puncture site, and quickly pull it out while holding the patch ends in place. The patch will fill the puncture site, and you just need to spin the wheel so the sealant can fill any microholes, then inflate the tire using a pump or CO2 cartridge, and you’re good to go. For extra precaution, you can carry a spare tube for longer rides — it will help in case of a major puncture or repeated punctures.

Which Option to Choose?

Tubeless tires are the best choice if you often ride on rough surfaces, such as gravel or mountain biking trails, or if you frequently ride long distances on paved roads. They are especially beneficial for racing, as they provide more control and comfort. If you don’t ride that much or prefer smooth road routes, take care of your bike yourself, and want to spend as little time as possible on maintenance, traditional tube tires might be a better fit. Still not sure? Let’s talk — contact us or visit the Velonova store at J. Baltrušaičio g. 1, Vilnius.