Originally Posted by Leisesturm

Goatheads sound nasty. I don't see how that makes a case for tubeless. The answer has got to be to prevent the puncture, whatever that takes, than to backstop the loss of air with sealant. Doing that works well enough for humans and animals, but ... it does have its limitations. That's why we have Kevlar vests. Kevlar tires? I don't know all the sizes Marathon Plus comes in, but on my roadie I use the Bontrager Hardcase H2 in 700C x 25mm. I am NOT slower on the Bonties than I would be on any other tire in a similar size. And they have never flatted. Ever. I've had that bike since 2017 and have never changed a flat on it. That isn't saying a whole lot since I don't ride it every day. But there have been stretches where I did use it for commuting and errands and I know that the area I am riding in flats 'normal tires' daily. Big Apple 2x/wk. Standard Marathon, monthly. Marathon Plus, never. If I lived in Goathead country I'd put Rhynodillo or Mr. Tuffy in a set of M+ or H2 and call it good. I'd still beat the times (and riders) I can beat, and the ones that I can't, it wouldn't change that situation. What if that is as good as it gets? FWIW.