Thread: Tyres - tubed or tubeless?

Originally Posted by JDNSW

As i have pointed out elsewhere, tubeless tyres were used for thirty years before so-called "tubeless" rims were introduced. And it is quite unclear to me why tubeless tyres on standard rims are any less safe than tubed tyres on the same rim - the tube is not going to hold the tyre on the rim if the air pressure is less than would hold a tubeless tyre on.

John

not quite...

with a tubed tyre at low pressure the tube wont loose all the air if the bead steps or creeps on its seat a tubless tyre will. ( of course if you pinch the tube or otherwise stuff it up its a lot harder to "reseat" a tubed tyre as you have to replace the tube)

have a very close look at the difference between a tubed rim and a tubless one, the tubeless one will have a very slight lift of the bead seat towards the center which helps hold the bead in place (its designed to be just a touch wider in diameter in the center than the bead of the tyre).

My 5c worth, I vote tubeless. There is a reason tubeless tyres replaced tubed tyres in general use, they are better in the majority of circumstances. However, if running tubes, make sure you are running good stuff, like Michelin. The cheap Chinese stuff will let you down every time the going gets a bit rough.