Tubeless tyres have been around for a while now firstly initially introduced for Mountain Bikes and they are becoming ever more popular with road bike users. The pros use tubeless and it's gradually gaining more popularity with general road bikers.
What is tubeless?
Tubeless is basically tyres without inner tubes. Instead of an inner tube, tubeless ready tyres are filled with anti puncture sealant. When you have a puncture the hole should seal itself with the sealant. Sounds too good to be true, right. There's no need to take the inner tube out and strategically put the tyre back on whilst out on a ride.
Pros
Faster rolling performance as there is no friction with the tyre and the tube, hence why used by the pros.
You can ride at lower pressure allowing more traction on the roads.
They should be self sealant and you can get back on your rider quickly or at least get you home.
Cons
Tubeless can be tricky to set up, the tyres are really difficult to get onto the wheel.
If the tyre does not seal you can get into trouble and may need to call a taxi.
The sealant can get everywhere, it can be washed off your bike, but there is currently no way of getting it out of your cycling kits.
How do you manage tubeless tyres
Many new bikes will come already tubeless so that's half the work done. If not make sure that you purchase tubeless ready tyres that are compatible with your wheels.
If you are not confident have a trusted mechanic do the next few steps as tubeless tyres are not easy to get onto the wheels.
You need to install the tubeless valves to the wheels, put on the tyres and fill the tyres will around 100ml of sealant through the valves, by unscrewing the nipple with a valve tool. Sounds simple, but it can be tricky.
The sealant should be topped up every 6 months, or more often if you have punctures.
If you have holes in the wheels you can close them with a tubeless repair kit.
What to carry with you on rides
Sealant
Tubeless repair kit
Valve tool
Summary
Once you get your head around going tubeless it is quite hassle free when you get a puncture. A drawback is cost as the tyres themselves are more expensive and they will need replacing more often.
This could be a big no go for some in that if you get sealant coming out your rear wheel you are bound to get it on your cycling shorts and it doesn't come out. In my experience, don't bother trying to brush it out or use chemicals, it just damages the fabric and doesn't make much difference, within a few washing it does fade, but never comes out completely.
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