What are the actual advantages of a tubeless wheelset that justify the added complexity, increased cost, and potential mess of dealing with sealant? Is the marginal improvement in rolling resistance and slightly better puncture resistance really worth the hassle of constantly checking and topping off the sealant, dealing with the potential for catastrophic failure due to a misplaced tire lever or a sealant-related clog, and the nightmares of trying to get a stubborn tire to seat properly?
Lets set aside all the marketing hype and get real here - what are the tangible benefits that make tubeless worth the extra effort and expense for the average rider, not just the pros or the obsessive few who spend all their free time tweaking and fine-tuning their bikes? And dont even get me started on the whole you can run lower tire pressure thing - isnt that just a recipe for pinch flats and a whole new set of problems?
And while were at it, whats the deal with the whole tubeless is the future narrative? Is it really that much better, or are we just caught up in a fad thats going to leave us all looking like fools in a few years when the next big thing comes along? Im not trying to be contrarian here, I genuinely want to know - what am I missing? Is tubeless really the game-changer everyone says it is, or is it just a bunch of hype?