For a while clincher system was the only bike system available. People knew that bikes had inflatable tubes covered by rubber tires. As an amateur, you may not know that these were the bikes you probably rode on the streets while little. So, are tubeless tires better for road bikes?
Even though tubeless tires aren’t 100% flat tire proof, they offer better puncture protection, light-weighted, and lower rolling resistance, resulting in a more controlled, more comfortable ride. In addition, the tire’s beads clinch in the rim while the air pressure from the tube and the rim’s lips keep the tire in place.
There is another tire system that is tubular, where the tube is an integral part of the tire. You do not need the beads since the tires are glued to the rim. However, this article focuses on tubeless tires and their efficiency on road bikes.
See also: Top 9 Tubeless Tires Pros And Cons (And why they are better!)
The Basics Of Tubeless Tires
Tubeless wheels and tire systems were invented in 1999 by Mavic for mountain bikes. The intention was to improve mountain bike performance and reduce the frequency of flats that characterized tube tires.
Over the years, tubeless technology has advanced, and most mountain bike manufacturers install tubeless tires for their bikes. Road cyclists preferred tube tires, but the community is now embracing tubeless tires. They are attracted to the advantages of tubeless tires, such as limited punctures.
Unlike tube tires with an inner tube to hold the air, tubeless tires have beads that lock with the rim to create an airtight seal. They also have sealant liquid inside the tires that prevents air leaks and automatically seals small punctures without the rider’s action.
When you encounter thorns, glass, rocks, or debris puncture, the air pressure in the tire will push the sealant out and instantly seal the puncture. You will only see white stains on the tire at the end of the ride, showing you where the puncture could have been if you had a tube tire.
The sealant has synthetic and natural latex; therefore, the sealant pushed out to correct the puncture resembles the tire.
Tubeless Tires And Road Bikes
Going tubeless can transform your bike and give you a different riding experience. Let’s consider what you can do to set up a tubeless system.
Road cycling has struggled to embrace tubeless tire technology. Over the years, tubeless tires have been considered suitable for mountain bikes because they were made for them.
Unlike road vehicles that adopted pneumatic tires, road bikes have been on the sideline in adopting tubeless systems. Tubeless addresses several pain points to encourage road bike cyclists and manufacturers to switch to this technology.
Today, a tubeless system is continually gaining acceptance and replacing inner tube-based systems in road bikes. Why? The benefits of going tubeless, such as improved comfort, reduced weight, rolling resistance, and reduced chances of getting flats, sound too good to ignore.
Technology has made it easier to fit tubeless tires at home, meaning that you do not need an expert if you encounter a problem. Furthermore, you can choose from various tubeless tires if you are interested in racing.
See also: What Should You Look For When Buying a Used Mountain Bike?
What Makes Tubeless Ideal For Road Bikes?
Consider some of these reasons that make a case for tubeless tires:
1- Improved Ride Quality
In most tubeless tire reviews, you will read the word “supple.” Tubeless tires do not have a separate inner tube, which reduces overall casing thickness.
This, in turn, leads to a tire that easily deforms when taken through imperfect roads, thus contributing to comfortable rides.
2- Lower Tire Pressure
Tubeless tires can run on pressure lower than what tube tires need. Your tubeless tire pressure can be 10 PSI lower, and you can still comfortably ride it.
Tubeless tires have no risks of pinch flats if you encounter a bump, rock, or a hard object. Low pressure also improves the tires’ traction, giving you the ability to make hard turns or corners on loose surfaces like gravel, sand, or ice.
3- Limited Puncture Issues
Tubeless tires are filled with a sealant liquid to protect against minor punctures. If thorns, nails, or glass pricks the tire, the air pressure pushes the sealant and seals the puncture before air escapes. You will not need to hunt for pin holes leaking air from the tubes.
Nevertheless, this does not give you the liberty to be reckless because tubeless bikes still suffer from sidewall damage and larger holes that sealant may not handle.
4- High Speed And Lower Friction
Since the inner tube constantly rubs against the tire casing, it results in significant friction. This makes the tube tires slower and uncomfortable.
However, tubeless tires do not experience friction, which means tubeless tires are faster and more comfortable to ride.
5- Reduced Wheel Mass
Tubeless tires have no inner tubes, thus saving a fair chunk of weight on the wheel. The reduced wheel weight allows you to ride longer without exhaustion. It also limits the loss of momentum as you cycle on the road.
Nevertheless, tubeless bikes also have shortcomings that road bikes owner should know before going tubeless.
6- It Is Tricky To Set Up
For tubeless tires to work on road bikes, they are made with a tight design. Tubeless for road bikes are still in flux, with some wheel and tire combinations not properly sealing while others seal excessively.
Additionally, you will need a tubeless-specific pump with a big air chamber; otherwise, your pump won’t work.
7- Sealants Can Be Messy
Sealant liquid is a type of glue that can be messy on your hands, the bike, and clothes. Keep an eye on the sealant level because they can dry out over time. If the tube has no sealant, you will likely experience a puncture and not stay inflated.
Monitor the sealant level monthly by popping the tire bead off the rim and top it up when it reduces. You can also squirt it through the valve core.
8- Non-Sealing Flats
Some punctures, such as sidewall damage, could be too large for the liquid sealant to handle. You may need to carry a pump, spare tire levers, and tube if the tubeless goes flat.
Differences Between Tube And Tubeless Tires For Road Bikes
The table below summarizes the main differences between tube and tubeless tires for road bikes.
| Tube Vs Tubeless Tires For Road Bikes | Tubeless Tires | Tube Tires |
| Characteristics | Tubeless tires look like a standard tube-type clincher tire but require no inner tube. | Tubed tires feature a tube inside the tire, which maintains tire pressure. They are commonly used on bicycle and motorcycle tires. |
| Repair Options | Install a tube, or you can also use sealant or tire plugs. | Patch or replace the tube |
| Puncture Resistance | Depending on tires construction | Tire construction and sealant |
| General PSI range | 80 to 120 PSI | 60 to 100 PSI |
| Rim compatibility | Not all tubeless tires are compatible with rims | Universal |
| Rolling resistance | Typically, faster at lower PSI | Generally, competitive at higher PSI |
| Overall weight | On average tubeless tire weighs around 130g, including the weight of 30ml of sealant. | On average, tube tires weigh between 200 to 400 grams each. |
How To Set Up Tubeless Tires
Setting up tubeless tires in the past was tricky, but the industry’s refinement has made modern wheels and tire brands easy to install like regular clinchers.
- The first step is to fix the valve through the tubeless wheel rim. The valves come with a removable core that allows you to pour the sealant into the tire once you fit it on the rim.
- The second step is mounting the tire like you would a clincher tire. You may find it challenging to fit the tire into the rim because of the necessity to keep an airtight seal. With the help of tire levers and a pair of strong thumbs, you can succeed in setting it up.
- You can use an air pump or compressor for popping the tire beads onto the shoulders of the rim designed to hold the beads in place. If this step is challenging, you can soap the tire bead and rim bed to help push the bead into place.
- Next, visually inspect the tire to ensure it is evenly seated on the wheel. If you notice any dips around the wheel, discover areas where tire beads have not seated properly against the rim.
- Once this process is done, you can deflate the tire and unscrew the valve core before squeezing or injecting sealant into the tire cavity. You will probably read the instruction on the sealant guidelines by the manufacturer.
- Return the valve to the rim and re-inflate the tire. Hold the wheel with both hands, tilt it and properly shake it to ensure the sealants have coated the tire’s interior. You may notice sealant dribbles that have escaped the rim, don’t worry; they are easy to clean.
- Leave the wheel resting horizontally for one or two hours, allowing the sealant to consolidate the coating in the tire.
Should I Switch To Tubeless?
Tubeless technology is advancing, and many cyclists are embracing it. Like all developing technologies, the tubeless system is improving with new cutting-edge performance. If you want tubeless and its benefits such as speed, grip, comfort, and limited puncture protection, it is easy and affordable to convert your bike to tubeless, provided you have tubeless-ready wheels.
You can purchase tubeless tires and fit them into your road bikes with the right wheels. However, you will have difficulty removing and installing them from the rim. If you want to switch to tubeless technology and test its purported benefits, you can try it.
Final Words
Although road bikes were synonymous with tubes or clincher systems, many cyclists are turning to tubeless tires.Tubeless tires are less prone to punctures and punches, benefits that road bike owners can enjoy.
They are also lighter and have better traction to the ground, allowing cyclists to enjoy high-speed riding even on loose surfaces. Having said that, tubeless tires also have challenges cyclists should be content with.