What is Tubeless?

[andyanansu]

Can anyone explain to me what exactly is UST Tubeless Tyres?

Is it just tubular for MTB? or something else?

Thanks

 

[artmichalek]

They're like car tires. Air fills the space between the rim and the tire with no inner tube. The idea is that they're less prone to pinch flats at low pressure.

 

[andyanansu]

They're like car tires. Air fills the space between the rim and the tire with no inner tube. The idea is that they're less prone to pinch flats at low pressure.

So the tyre have to glue to the rim?

 

[John M]

So the tyre have to glue to the rim?

NO.

Tubular tire = glue to the rim. The tube is sewn into the tire (thus the alternative name: sew-up.

Tubeless has no tube, thus the name tubeLESS. The tire is held onto the rim by air pressure. The rim, unlike most bike rims, has no spoke head holes, and uses a special valve. As artmichalek said it is analogous to a car wheel/tire. Currently tubeless bicycle tires are only available for MTB, not road.

 

[obxbes]

Are tubeless rims just to be used without a tube. What are the advantages. What happens if your ten miles from home and get a flat?

NO.

Tubular tire = glue to the rim. The tube is sewn into the tire (thus the alternative name: sew-up.

Tubeless has no tube, thus the name tubeLESS. The tire is held onto the rim by air pressure. The rim, unlike most bike rims, has no spoke head holes, and uses a special valve. As artmichalek said it is analogous to a car wheel/tire. Currently tubeless bicycle tires are only available for MTB, not road.

 

[John M]

Are tubeless rims just to be used without a tube. What are the advantages. What happens if your ten miles from home and get a flat?

The theoretical advantage is that the tubeless tires are not prone to the pinch flats (also known as snakebite punctures) that MTB riders would get when riding over rough terrain with low pressure.

Punctures can be fixed either with tire sealant or patched--kind of like for car tires.

http://www.utahmountainbiking.com/fix/tubeless-dryfix.htm

http://www.utahmountainbiking.com/fix/tubeless-fix.htm

 

[WINGNUTT]

Are tubeless rims just to be used without a tube. What are the advantages. What happens if your ten miles from home and get a flat?

If you get a flat, you can just throw a tube in it and run like you would with a regular tire. Now you have a tubless tire with a tube inside. Should it still be called a tubeless tire under these circumstances?? That's for you to decide.

 

[el Ingles]

If you get a flat, you can just throw a tube in it and run like you would with a regular tire. Now you have a tubless tire with a tube inside. Should it still be called a tubeless tire under these circumstances?? That's for you to decide.

you may find that it´s difficult to get the tyre to saet properly in these circumstances using a hand pump or co2 cartridge due to insufficient pressure .
and fitting a tubless tyre can be a real pain , even with a good track pump .
if you have trouble try tying a cord around the centre of the tyre to spread the beads ( old trick to help fit car tyres ) a tyre lube also helps - go to your nearest car / truck tyre fitter and ask if you can buy a pint of their tyre lub , you should be able to dilute that with a couple of pints of water and have enough for years and years , even if you share with your mates .

note of caution : if you use an instant repair spray then it will be impossible to repair that tyre as you can´t clean the tyre enough inside to fit a patch - this is also true with car and motorbike tyres ( tubes as well but they´re cheap )