Why tubeless mountain bike tires

Switching to tubeless tires may or may not be what you need, depending on your personal preferences and type of terrain you ride. Going tubeless will provide benefits that can significantly improve your overall riding experience. They tend to create a lot of friction because the tire and inner tube are very close to each other. Along with this, going tubeless means operating at a lower pressure, allowing more tire-ground tread.

This allows you to have better traction and control over your ride, such as with your momentum and turning corners. It will also allow your ride to absorb bumps better. The typical tubed riding system has another significant drawback: it is prone to pinched flats. These are flat tires caused by the tube being pinched between the rim and a rock. This can make quite a bad flat tire. But without the inner tube, that problem will basically be eliminated.

Pinched flats and flat tires overall will happen noticeably less often. And because tubeless tires are treated with sealants while mounting, that pretty much gets rid of flat tire problems almost altogether. One obvious thing about having an inner tube is the weight it adds to your bike. Getting rid of that tube means getting rid of that weight! The standard tube weighs around grams, so just consider how much lighter your bike can be.

By having a lighter ride, you can increase your efficiency by exerting less energy to reach the same speed. It also means that carrying your bike around can be a less tiring ordeal. Although tubeless tires indeed use sealant and an inflation valve, the end result is still a noticeably lighter ride.

Along with that, lighter tires means less energy spent on rotations. So your energy to distance ratio will definitely increase as well! Unfortunately, despite all the great benefits that going tubeless has to offer, there are still drawbacks that might make some think twice about getting tubeless tires for their ride.

Skip to main content. Log In Register. All your tubeless questions answered. Jon Woodhouse. Buyers guide to mountain bike tyres - get the best rubber for your MTB How many spacers should I install on my bottom bracket?

What are the benefits of going tubeless? Pinch punctures are virtually eliminated It's possible to run lower tyre pressures for improved grip Even multiple thorns are unlikely to cause issues It's generally much lighter What are the downsides to going tubeless? Commonly asked tubeless questions Is tubeless lighter than tubed?

How much does it cost to go tubeless? What different types of tubeless system are there? How big a hole can tubeless sealant seal? How often should I change or replace the sealant?

How many spacers should I install on my bottom bracket? Author block. Jon Woodhouse Jon was previously the editor here at off. Find great off-road deals. But, if you ride a lot, this could also be about the time you need to begin thinking about changing out tires due to normal wear and tear. Whether you are considering tubeless tires for a new mountain bike or wanting to convert your existing ride, Mellow Johnny's staff can help.

Visit our Austin service center , call or send us a note to talk more. We know you'll soon wonder why you waited so long. What are the Benefits of Tubeless Tires? Why make the conversion? Here are a just a few considerations:. Tubeless mountain bike tires provide better traction. Reduce weight from tires. Eliminate Pinch Flats. Eliminate the Need for a Patch Kit. Deflating Some Myths. Get the Latest News. We like DynaPlug Racer , which keeps you rolling with a super quick repair.

Patches can be a more or less permanent fix, but inspect your sidewalls after every ride for signs that the casing is failing. You can always get creative. Another essential to carry: latex gloves—fixing tubeless flats can be messy with the sealant.

If it has dried up, pull the tire, clean out the debris, and reinstall fresh sealant. Tubeless tires require slightly different setup techniques, and have higher maintenance requirements than conventional clinchers. But, says Curiak, for mountain bike and gravel riders especially, the benefits outweigh its finicky nature.

Sealant: The liquid that keeps the system from leaking air and seals punctures. There are various formulas, but generally it consists of very small, solid particles of fiber or rubber suspended in some kind of liquid matrix latex is common. The sealant sloshes around inside the tire when the bike is rolling and coats it to prevent general air loss and seals smaller punctures.

Sealant only works for punctures up to a certain size usually a few millimeters. Larger punctures, like from a sharp rock that slashes a sidewall, will cause a flat and require more extensive repairs. Sealant lasts years in a tightly sealed container, and from one to six months inside a tire. Valve Stem: Tubeless valve stems feature rubber grommets and a knurled nut that seal the valve hole on both sides of the rim bed.

The cores are often removable, which allows a low-mess way to add sealant without gumming up the core. The rubber grommet profiles are often specific to the rim cross-section; valve stems from one wheel company may not work with other brands.

Installing tubeless rim tape is a precise job. Prep the rim bed by wiping with alcohol or acetone and a clean rag and let dry.