Show off your Mountain Bike!!!

I need to get out on mine today. The days are starting to get cold.

 

Turns out I have a slow leak in one of the tires. So what are these tubeless tires I've seen mentioned here?

 

Expensive, messy, and a pain in the ass.

 

But everyone seems to like them.

 

Tubless tires are AMAZING. If you do anything close to agressive riding, you want them. I would have serious flat tires often if I ran tubes. You also save a couple POUNDS of rotational weight, which will make you significantly more agile and climbing easier. If you can afford them, get them. Easy.

Anyway, check out this pic below - If I was running tubes, that would have been a serious flat tire, but becuase I was tubless It just distributes the air....

 

I don't run tubeless but everyone I ride with does and they say nothing but tubeless. I want to change but new tires are expensive. But they don't pinch flat. You do have to worry about puncture. Yesterday there were three people who punctured and one of them did it twice. You can plug them and keep them going though. Tubes are last resort

 

I was hoping more for puncture resistance. There would be one nail on the trail, and one of my tires will find it.

 

I run tubeless on both bikes and have had a full season of trouble free riding. I replace the sealant every so often but I'll never go back to running tubes. Currently on my trail bike I am running tubeless ready maxxis minion dhf in the front and minion dhr out back. Absolutely love this combo

 

either way a nail is gonna cause a flat. they plug fairly easily as long as its not some huge slice in the tire. although I have seen someone who sliced his front and rear tire open within a couple of minutes of each other. I think the benefits outweigh the chance that you will puncture. I have pinch flatted so many times its not even funny. being able to ride below 35 psi without worrying about pinch flatting would be amazing

 

Some people swear by clipless pedals just as they do running tubeless. No doubt both have noted advantages but they're not for everyone.

 

This is why I run tubes still. I've sliced a tire on the trail before and used a couple clif bar wrappers to get me back to the truck.
Like this:

No way a tubeless tire would seal that. New tube, wrappers, and back to the truck you go.

 

That kind of tire damage is rare for the majority of riders. This is also why I carry a tube with me. I have yet to use it. Knock on wood.

 

this is also very true. the guy who tore both sidewalls shreds. he's one of the fastest guys in the area so it really depends on the tire, riding and style. I think he had thrown on lighter tires than he had been riding and that happened. I think the other guy was riding some of the more aggressive bontragers. most of the crazy guys around here are rocking minions tubeless and don't have much trouble.

 

I don't like them - I LOVE them.

TT, have you used them? I've been running tubeless for several years, I'd never go back to running tubes.

Expensive:
Yes, a full-on UST rim and tire can cost more, but you can tape just about any decent quality rim and use Tubeless Ready tires.

Messy:
The first time you use the sealer, you will spill some. Then you'll figure out how to use it without spilling the stuff.

PitA:
I call getting a pinch flat every time I ride a pain in the ass.
With tubeless and a generous helping of Stan's sealer, I've ridden for months without getting a flat.

Do a bit of research, ask a few questions and get them set up correctly and you'll love them.

Start your research here:
http://www.notubes.com/help/index.aspx

Let us know how it goes!

 

This^^. Tubeless eliminate snakebite pinch flats and work great with goats head thorns (which are misery with tubes). I have only burped a tire once in maybe the last 8 yrs due to jumping on really low pressure. They are worth the money in my book.

Nice pics LCBogey. Has me jonesing for a trip to Moab to ride Hazard and porc...

 

I've run Tubeless all summer and about 1,500 miles. (Tubeless wheelset and tubeless tires with stans) Whenever I see people discuss tubeless, most of the time, the facts are left out.

Tubeless saves a ton of weight. Just not true. Take out the tubes, add valve stems and sealant = negligible weight savings. Do it to run lower pressures, saving noticeable weight is not happening.

Run super low pressures. On MTBR, it was suggested that I run 26PSI for better traction. I gave it a try... What I noticed was squirrelly unpredictable handling in fast tight corners. I'm convinced the guys running 26psi are spending lots of time riding in a straight line on fire roads. The other downside to super low pressures is tire burping, when your front tire burps out all of its air when you need it most, it leaves you hurting.

I've found the lowest I can run is 32-34 PSI. Better than the 45 I ran with tubes, but the feel of the bike doesn't change much. I'm OK with tubeless, but not blown away like some people seem to be.

 

I agree the weight savings is negligible. Esp since here in Phoenix I need to put in a shit-ton of sealant because the heat coagulates it so fast.

I have had good luck and good handling running 30 lbs or less - I don't experience squirrelly handling. To each his own.
I ride trails, not fire roads.

Practically eliminates pinch flats and flatting from thorns, and I have only burped a tire a couple of times in a matter of years.

 

I run in the mid 20s consistently.without issue. It also depends on the tire you are running.

 

Here is a good run down on running tubless. Pretty unbiased:

http://www.utahmountainbiking.com/goodies/go-tubeless.htm