Tubeless
Buyer's Guide
What Are Tubeless Tyres?
A tubeless tyre works without an inner tube. Instead, the tyre forms an airtight seal against a compatible rim, while liquid sealant inside the tyre helps plug small punctures as they happen.
When a sharp object punctures the tyre, the sealant is forced into the hole by air pressure, helping prevent air loss and allowing you to keep riding.
What Are Tubeless Wheels?
A tubeless wheel is a wheel designed to create and maintain an airtight seal between the rim and tyre without the need for an inner tube.
Most tubeless wheel systems use a specially designed rim profile that helps lock the tyre bead securely into place when inflated. The rim is sealed with tubeless tape and fitted with a tubeless valve to prevent air escaping through the spoke holes.
Tubeless-Ready vs Tubeless Wheels
Many modern wheels are described as tubeless-ready. This means the rim has been designed to work with tubeless tyres but may still require tubeless tape, valves and sealant before it can be used without an inner tube.
Some wheelsets are supplied fully prepared for tubeless use, while others require a simple conversion before installation.
Greater Comfort
A tyre running at lower pressure can absorb trail chatter and road vibrations more effectively, resulting in a smoother ride.
This can be particularly noticeable on gravel bikes and hardtail mountain bikes.
Improved Puncture Protection
One of the main reasons riders switch to tubeless is to reduce punctures. Sealant can repair many small holes automatically, often without the rider noticing.
Tubeless systems also eliminate pinch punctures, which happen when an inner tube gets trapped between the tyre and rim after a hard impact.
Lower Tyre Pressures
Without the risk of pinch punctures, you can often run lower tyre pressures.
Lower pressures help the tyre conform to the ground more effectively, increasing grip on loose, wet or rough surfaces.
Reduced Rolling Resistance
Many tubeless setups roll more efficiently than an equivalent tyre with an inner tube because there is less friction inside the tyre casing.
While the difference varies between tyre models and pressures, it can contribute to improved efficiency.
Tubeless Tyre Sealent
Tubeless sealant helps prevent air loss and automatically repairs small punctures as you ride. Different formulas are available, with some designed to seal larger punctures for mountain biking and gravel riding, while others prioritise lower weight for road cycling.
To maintain reliable puncture protection, sealant should be checked and topped up regularly as it gradually dries out over time.
Tubeless Rim Tape
Tubeless rim tape seals the spoke holes inside the rim, preventing air from escaping.
The tape must be the correct width for the internal rim measurement to ensure a reliable seal. Poorly installed or damaged tape is one of the most common causes of air leaks in a tubeless system.
Tubeless Valves
Tubeless valves replace standard inner tube valves and create an airtight seal at the rim valve hole. Most tubeless valves feature a removable valve core, making it easier to add sealant and improve airflow when seating tyres.
Valves are available in different lengths to suit varying rim depths, particularly on road and gravel wheels with deeper rim profiles.
Inflation
Tubeless tyres often require a large volume of air delivered quickly to seat the tyre bead against the rim.
Some tyre and rim combinations can be inflated using a standard track pump, while others may require a tubeless inflator, booster pump or air compressor to achieve the initial seal.
Once seated, tyres can usually be inflated and maintained using a normal track pump.
Tyre Inserts
Tyre inserts sit inside a tubeless tyre to add protection and support. They help absorb impacts from rocks, roots and rough trail surfaces, reducing the risk of rim damage and tyre cuts.
Many riders use inserts to run lower tyre pressures for better grip and comfort, while the added support can help reduce burping and improve stability when cornering on rough terrain.
Repair Kits
Tubeless tyre repair kits are designed to fix punctures that are too large for sealant to seal on its own. Most kits use plugs, often called tyre worms, which are inserted into the hole to create a quick and reliable repair.
Compact and easy to carry, repair kits can get you back on the road or trail in minutes without removing the tyre. While plugs can provide a long-lasting fix, severe tyre damage may still require an internal patch or spare inner tube to complete your ride.
Tubeless Conversion Kits
Tubeless conversion kits include the key components needed to convert compatible wheels to a tubeless setup, typically including rim tape, tubeless valves and sealant. They're a convenient option for first-time tubeless setups, taking the guesswork out of choosing individual components.
When choosing a kit, make sure the rim tape width and valve length are suitable for your wheels to help ensure a secure, airtight seal.
Initial Setup Can Be More Complicated
Setting up tubeless requires a few additional components, including compatible tyres, rims and sealant, but the process is straightforward and can deliver significant benefits on the road or trail.
Sealant Requires Maintenance
Sealant gradually dries out and needs topping up or replacing periodically. How often depends on the sealant used, riding conditions and climate.
Can Be Messy
Sealant is effective, but it can make tyre installation and puncture repairs a little messier than using inner tubes.
