Tubeless Tires

[makbike]

Anyone out there using tubeless tires? What do you like about them? What do you dislike about them? Just curious. Thanks!

[MartianDestiny]

Road or mountain?

I have them on my mountain bike. They're great. Only downside is you need an air compressor to seal them initially (have to get air in fast) or you have to get your shop to mount them.

I probably don't flat enough (either with or without tubes) to notice a difference. Supposedly you can run lower pressures tubeless without pinch flatting; I don't think I really take advantage of that either. But no real complaints.

[crazycanuck]

I have them on my mtn bike & they're great!! Due to the wonderful pea gravel in Western Australia, I have my tires at about 20psi in the front & 25 or so at the back. Nothing like trying to get through deep pea gravel going uphill

I've not had any flats yet!

[yetigooch]

I've been using tubeless for over 5 years now. I use the Stans No Tubes conversion kit (you can use any rim and tire combo). Tubeless is great...better traction with the lower tire pressure. Just be sure to use sealant in the tire.

[makbike]

Sorry, I should have specified - tubeless road tires.

Yetigooch, what is this sealant you speak of?

[crazycanuck]

Stan's no tubes-just another common product used to replace tubes. I left all that up to my bike shop dude. If you get it wrong, your tires will explode..(at 6am in our case)

[maillotpois]

Yes to both.

MTB: I have had them on my MTB for years. Initially, they would always be flat because they didn't seal properly, but I think we fixed that. I don't use that bike much at all anyway.

Road: I just got them on my new road bike and so far I really like them. The wheels will go both ways, you can run tubeless or regular clinchers with tubes. I decided to go with a Hutchinson tubeless, the more durable model as opposed to the lighter one. They handle well and I don't notice a big increase in rolling resistance like I would expect from the lower pressures. The bike shop mounted them, so I don't know if there were any special needs to mount them.

[Jiffer]

Dh has tubeless on his MTB as well. He likes them, even though we DID experience the "explosion factor", which was previously mentioned. We were getting ready for a 44 miler to the beach and back. Because he's "too good for us" and needed a challenge, he rode his MTB while us mortals rode our road bikes (he pulled too!). Anyway, we were just about ready to go when a booming sound occurred, much like a gun firing or a car tire exploding ... only it was his MTB tire .. which spewed goopy stuff all over me and my friends bike!

It was freaky. Can't remember what he figured out caused it, but it didn't deter him from using them. It was a little freaky riding behind him that day, though ... wondering if his bike was going to explode again, causing us all to go down!

However, he just recently tried tubeless on his road bike and, after some frustration, decided to switch back to tubes. I'm not sure what the frustrations were, but I could ask him if you want.

[maillotpois]

However, he just recently tried tubeless on his road bike and, after some frustration, decided to switch back to tubes. I'm not sure what the frustrations were, but I could ask him if you want.

I'm curious about the reasons if you don't mind asking him....

[makbike]

I too would like to know why he switched back to tubes.

[chicagogal]

I only run clinchers, so I don't have too much to add here.

However, a lot of my racing buddies use clinchers when they train and tubulars when they race. The clinchers are good for training because if you are out on the road far from home, changing a flat is a piece of cake.

However, they like the feel of tubulars when they race, and so use them with their race wheels. Like what was mentioned above, tubulars allow for lower tire pressure because they don't run the risk of pinch-flats that clinchers do. They are lighter because they don't have tubes, and my friends swear by them in the corners.

[sundial]

I decided to go with a Hutchinson tubeless, the more durable model as opposed to the lighter one.

Sarah, if you don't mind me asking what rims are you using? Have you noticed an appreciable difference in rolling resistance since switching to tubeless on the road bike?

I really, really like going tubeless on my mtbs. Cushier ride, corners better and no flats.

[maillotpois]

Sarah, if you don't mind me asking what rims are you using? Have you noticed an appreciable difference in rolling resistance since switching to tubeless on the road bike?

I am using Campy Eurus two ways: http://www.competitivecyclist.com/ro...paign=Datafeed

I do not notice any difference in rolling resistance, though I am running 20 - 30 psi lower (90 - 100 instead of 115 - 120).

[sundial]

I do not notice any difference in rolling resistance, though I am running 20 - 30 psi lower (90 - 100 instead of 115 - 120).

That's what I was wondering. I think Hutchinson is the only road tire that Stan recommends if I remember correctly. And those rims are rockin'!

[maillotpois]

Thanks I really like the set up so far. I do need to take the tire off and the valve off and make sure I know how to fix them if I get a flat. It sounds easy enough, but I really don't want my first time to be out on the road.