Re: Re:
RobMac":1zgg6s56 said:
And another thing .................
Due to media and peer pressure I'm about to run two bikes tubeless (still not convinced) :?
Then just try one bike first ya fanny!
The puncture prevention depends on where you live. Round our way, it's usually pinch flats. Like Jim said, you can add 5-10 psi and back off a bit, but then you lose the traction benefit of big tyres. With tubeless you can run 25 psi have massive traction, better feel than tubes and not worry about every big root or rock.
The guys I know in East Lothian run it because of the hawthorn hedges that litter the place. They used to carry 3-4 tubes a ride especially at trimming time.
The big benefit for me is feel. You can run low pressures without it feeling draggy. You can feel the tyre moulding to roots without worrying about pinching a tube.
It's not without its problems. Set up used to be a faff, but if you use proper tubeless ready parts then it's very rarely an issue any more. My last maxxis came through the post all folded and crumpled. The bead was wrinkled but popped into place with a normal track pump and held its pressure no problem.
Not every puncture will seal but you're no worse off than running tubes in that event.
I don't think tubeless is for everyone though. Serial tyre swappers need not apply, but if you run one set all year or have a summer/winter set then it's worth the hassle. If you have a big fleet of bikes I wouldn't convert every bike either. Sealant dries up and needs topped up a couple of times a year. Too much hassle for a garage queen that only sees light once or twice a year. For my main bikes it needs topped up any way when the twice yearly tyre swap happens.
As Jim said tubes are retro and there's no way I'd try to convert my old bikes.
If you have tubeless ready rims and need new tyres anyway I think you should at least try it. The sealant, tape and valves are £25 tops, so you won't break the bank. Just remember to experiment with pressures. No point running the old high pressures you think you need.
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