Mountain Biking - Old question: Tube or tubeless?

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Jakub
04-01-03, 01:47 AM
Guys/ Ladies

I will ask old question - what is better for XC/marathons tube or tubeless system?

Lets put aside costs of both systems and lets focus only on performance/usage

Tubeless are heavier but roll better
Tube system is lighter (latex tubes) but is considered to roll worse
Which is better? Is it worth to sacrifice the weight/ acceleration for rolling performance?

This is probably a question that has benn answered several times, but as time elapses there is more knowledge and users experience about these.

Jim311
04-01-03, 08:52 PM
Tubeless isn't THAT much heavier, if any. You have to consider that you aren't using a tube. You CAN pinch flat a tubeless tire (Ive done it) but it's extremely hard if you know what you're doing. They deffinitely roll faster and accelerate better... I love them. The ride is so much smoother and more plush.. very comfortable. Plus with a little latex fluid they're deffinitely much harder to flat than regular tires are. I don't really see ANY disadvantage, short of carrying a CO2 inflator... they're a little harder to mount.
Jakub
04-02-03, 12:49 AM
You mentioned about an inflater.... I heard that is tough to pump it - is it possible to pump it with small pump? Tube is about 90 to 120 grams - tubewheels are heavier (rims) + the tires are 200 grams heavier so there is a big difference in weight

I haven't ridden yet a tubeless and none of my friends have them at the moment so I can't check it.....

I heard that every week you have to pump tubeless up as they loose some air (much more than tube system) is it true?

Jim311
04-02-03, 08:20 AM
If you get a flat, and have to patch it or something, you CANNOT inflate it with a mini pump.. you just cant get enough air into the tire fast enough to get it to seat. So I carry a CO2 pump which is faster and more efficient anyway. Tube wheels are also not necessarily heavier.. the Crossmax set of UST wheels weighs about as much as a regular cross country wheel.. it just depends on which ones you get.


Tubeless does tend to lose some air, yes... but pumping a tire is a small price to pay for large gains in performance if you ask me. Tubeless rocks.. totally worth the effort if you ask me.