Tubeless Tire Advantages

Tubeless Tires: Why I Made the Switch

Tubeless tire debates have gotten complicated with all the setup horror stories and brand recommendations flying around. As someone who ran tubes for years because tubeless seemed complicated, I learned everything there is to know about why the switch was worth the initial hassle.

Finally converted last season and I’m not going back. The flat reduction alone justified the learning curve.

How Tubeless Works

Probably should have led with this section, honestly. No inner tube. The tire seals directly against the rim, held in place by air pressure and the bead’s grip on the rim. Liquid sealant inside handles small punctures automatically – the sealant rushes to holes and plugs them before you lose significant air.

When something punctures a tubeless tire, you often don’t even notice. Keep pedaling, the sealant does its job. With tubes, that same puncture means stopping to fix a flat.

The Actual Benefits

Fewer flats: This is the big one. Sealant handles thorns, glass, and small debris that would strand you with tubes. I used to flat maybe once a month on my commute through glass-strewn streets. With tubeless, I’ve had one flat in 18 months.

Lower pressure: Without risking pinch flats, you can run lower pressures. Lower pressure means more comfort, better grip, and actually lower rolling resistance on rough surfaces. My gravel bike went from 50psi with tubes to 35psi tubeless and rides way better.

Rolling resistance: No tube friction means the tire rolls more efficiently. The difference is small but measurable.

The Setup Reality

First-time tubeless setup can be frustrating. The tire bead needs to snap into the rim’s channels, and sometimes it fights you. Having an air compressor or high-volume floor pump helps enormously. The first tire took me 45 minutes and involved a lot of swearing. The second took 10 minutes.

You need tubeless-ready rims and tires. Don’t try to convert non-tubeless components – it’s possible but not worth the headaches. Just buy the right equipment.

Sealant Maintenance

Sealant dries out over 2-4 months depending on conditions. Hot, dry climates accelerate this. You need to top off periodically – remove the valve core, squirt more sealant in, reinflate.

If you neglect sealant too long, it dries into a rubbery layer inside the tire. Still works for sealing new punctures but means cleaning out the residue eventually. Not the end of the world, just messy.

When It Doesn’t Work

Big punctures won’t seal. A nail or large gash sprays sealant out before it can plug the hole. That’s where plug kits come in – bacon strip plugs inserted into the hole give the sealant something to cling to.

Sidewall cuts are game over. Sealant can’t help there. Carry a tube for emergencies – you can stuff one into a tubeless tire if necessary.

Good Tires for Tubeless

Not all tubeless tires are equal. Continental GP5000 TL for road, Schwalbe G-One for gravel, Maxxis Minions for mountain – these are popular for good reason. Cheap tubeless tires often have poor bead seating and more porosity issues.

Invest in quality tires. The few dollars saved on cheap ones cost more in frustration.

Road vs Mountain vs Gravel

Mountain bikers have used tubeless for decades – lower pressures for grip and the abuse from rocks and roots made tubes impractical. The technology is mature there.

Gravel has embraced tubeless almost universally now. The benefits are too obvious when you’re riding unpaved surfaces.

Road is more mixed. Some riders stick with tubes for simplicity and because road conditions are gentler. But tubeless road tires have improved dramatically, and the flat reduction is valuable even on pavement.

My Verdict

That’s what makes tubeless endearing to us converts who’ve made the switch. The setup learning curve is real but temporary. Once you’re running tubeless, maintenance is minimal and the ride improvement is substantial. I don’t miss fixing roadside flats. I don’t miss pinch flats from hitting potholes. The slight hassle of checking sealant every few months is nothing compared to the convenience the rest of the time.