Tubeless tires....what am I missing?
07-19-20, 10:49 AM
#26
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I thought part of the benefit of tubeless was performance- less rolling resistance like switching to latex tubes or better.
Is this still in the equation (or marketing)?
Is this still in the equation (or marketing)?
07-19-20, 12:08 PM
#27
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I think on a larger tire, that certainly holds true. For road size, they tend to be stiff and heavy. You're lighter and have less rolling resistance with a high tpi regular tire and a latex or thin butyl tube. No flat protection but that's usually not a major deal.
07-19-20, 12:23 PM
#28
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For what it's worth, I've been tubeless on the road for over two years without an issue. 65-75psi on 28MM tires is really nice on crappy winter-destroyed Midwestern pavement. I've been using GP5000TLs lately, they seem really good and were easy to install on my rims. I've also been using tubeless setups on my trail bike, gravel bike and fat bike for years, all without issue.
I tried tubeless on the rood almost 10 years ago and absolutely hated the pain of the setup (IMPOSSIBLE to mount) and the resulting setup was totally unreliable. However, for the past few years, manufacturers seem to have figured it out a bit better. Most wheels are pre-taped these days, tires are much (MUCH) easier to install, bead profiles are more advanced and setups are generally more reliable. YMMV, of course.
I tried tubeless on the rood almost 10 years ago and absolutely hated the pain of the setup (IMPOSSIBLE to mount) and the resulting setup was totally unreliable. However, for the past few years, manufacturers seem to have figured it out a bit better. Most wheels are pre-taped these days, tires are much (MUCH) easier to install, bead profiles are more advanced and setups are generally more reliable. YMMV, of course.
07-19-20, 01:21 PM
#29
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Tubeless isn't perfect, but I'll take it for my gravel bike and mountain bike.
Screw below had 1/8 inch shaft. It sealed just like that and I could have literally ridden it that way. I pulled it out, put in a bacon strip (even though it sealed by itself) and finished my ride. This was literally my first ride on my gravel bike too!
BTW those are 38mm Gravel Kings.
Screw below had 1/8 inch shaft. It sealed just like that and I could have literally ridden it that way. I pulled it out, put in a bacon strip (even though it sealed by itself) and finished my ride. This was literally my first ride on my gravel bike too!
BTW those are 38mm Gravel Kings.
07-19-20, 02:13 PM
#30
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New technology is supposed to be easier, less expensive and more reliable. I see nothing like this in tubeless road tires. Just the opposite on all counts. It is really bad technology. You can simply put sealer in latex tubes if you need to and not worry about seating and sealing. When someone uses Gorilla tape to mount a tubeless tire you know the technology is ridiculous.
07-19-20, 02:19 PM
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There are certainly fast and light(ish) road tubeless tires. The BRR.com list for lowest crr is topped by TL tires. While the Conti 5k has an ~80g difference between the TL and non-TL, there's a smaller delta with many. The Schwalbe Pro 1 Addix TLE (that I'm currently loving) come in at ~250 for a 25mm - they're not pigs.
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07-20-20, 07:18 AM
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A few years ago, when I was considering tubeless for my gravel bike, I sent a few questions (via text msg) to an old friend who is a US National Champion. If I recall correctly, his last response was something to the effect of "And road tubeless is great, too!"
That's pretty much all the recommendation I need. If it were slower/less convenient/pain in the ass, this guy would not be using it.
That's pretty much all the recommendation I need. If it were slower/less convenient/pain in the ass, this guy would not be using it.
