The secrets of the tubeless: advantages, inconveniences and practical advice for cyclists

What is the tubeless system? He TUBELESS It is the most common anti -nching system for bicycle wheels. In Mountain Bike the generalized tendency, but in modalities such as Grave either Road, more and more cyclists are They have Your wheels. In addition to being a reliable solution against punctures, it provides other benefits that have to do with the Bike behavior and the cyclist yield. Are you thinking of TUBELIZE Your wheels? Do you have doubts or problems with this system? In this guide you have information, and some tricks, so that you have it very easy.

👉 The advantages of wearing tubess wheels in Mountain Bike

TUBELESS: What is and advantages

Tubess alludes to the wheel system that works Without internal chamber. That is, a hermetic set of tire and tire where the air is housed and where sealant fluid is introduced to quickly cover perforations or punctures. This system requires the use of specific tires and tires. The tire has a smooth and sealed background, unlike conventional ones, which have holes where the radios are screwed.

The tubess cover is more robust, with reinforced flanks and stronger ring terminations and curve. This facilitates that they can be carved or fit more firmly on the walls of the tire, and thus avoid air or sealing liquid leaks.

For approximately 35 euros, you can find tubess covers for any cycling modality.

The tires and tubess tires are Something more expensive than conventional ones. However, the increase in demand has caused a price drop. Some models, in fact, cost today as certain conventional covers. For approximately 35 euros, you can find tubess covers for any cycling modality.

👉 Road tubeless wheels: everything you need to know

The tubeless is not only feasible with specific wheels and tires. Can TUBELIZE Your wheels using a Specific kit, which includes special insulating tape that sticks to the bottom of tire and isolates the system. You must also install a specific valve game, also included in the kit; They are screwed directly on each tire.

Advantages of tubeless

The use of TUBELESS has undoubted advantages for the biker. Very reliable anti -infincial solution. The union between tire, tire and tiny liquid forms a Sealing system and opaque. If it is well installed, you should not have air or liquid leaks. In case of drilling the roof, the liquid dries in contact with the air and solidifies, plugging the hole in seconds. It reduces the weight. By dispensing with air chamber, you will save between 100 and 150 g by wheel. When there is more space to introduce the air, somewhat lower pressures can be used, which also impacts the balance.

The use of tubeless can allow you to save between 100 and 150 grams per wheel.

Greater grip and traction. The use of tubeless allows you to roll with lower pressures without risk of disalsering. The tire contact surface with the terrain will be greater, so you will win in grip and traction. In addition, cover wear will be more uniform and controlled throughout its surface, lengthening its useful life.

Disadvantages

But not everything is idyllic with the tubeless. It is not a perfect anti -nching system and has some inconveniences that you must take into account. It requires more maintenance. The installation of a tubeless wheel results more complex than a conventional. Filling with sealing liquid is not easy for a rookie. With the passage of time, heat or lack of movement (if you stop bikewise a few weeks) it dries and loses its properties. Preventively, it is convenient to make a SELLING LIQUID CHANGE Every 2 or 3 months. The liquid, when drying, can hit the flanks of the tire and complicate the assembly and disassembly of it. That is why it is important to meet these deadlines and use the amount of liquid appropriate to each wheel size.

👉 How to change the tubeless liquid

It is more expensive than a conventional wheel. The specific covers and wheels, the liquid, the valves and the tire background (in the event that you need it to transform it) ... all these elements suppose a Extra expense compared to a conventional wheel. To all this, add the purchase of a sealing liquid boat in each recharge. Frequent pressure losses. A priori, the tubeless is a hermetic system, but the air is not as locked up as in a conventional chamber. The impacts that the tire receives, or the vibrations of the land, cause air losses which is convenient to replenish after each route.

The tubeless retains the air in the tire with more difficulty than a conventional chamber, so it is necessary to review pressures after each output.

Having the bike stops also affects the effectiveness of the tubeless. The inactivity Increase pressure losses with respect to a conventional cover. In addition, the liquid will lose properties or directly dry. Therefore, we recommend the tubeless for cyclists that come out frequently, several days a week. Repairs are more complex Clicking with a tubeless cover is much more complicated than with a camera. But this does not mean that it never happens. When it happens, in fact, it is more complicated to plug the air leakage. We can meet various circumstances. The sealant fluid may be dry, or that there is not enough amount in the wheel. Or the hole may be so large that the liquid is not enough. If any of this happens, it will have to be done Emergency repairs. For example, use wicks or install an air chamber, previously removing the liquid. These solutions involve loading with specific spare parts in your outputs and the operation can be complicated by sealant fluid leaks.

📺 In this video you can learn, in a simple way and in less than a minute, how to repair a puncture with the help of wicks.

What do I need for TUBELIZE my wheels?

You must have the following elements:

Tires and tubess roofs. If you don't have a specific tire for tubeless, get specific tape to seal the bottom of it, as well as special inflation valves.
A standing pump or specific bike compressor. It is important that it be able to introduce a lot of air at very high pressure; It will be necessary to carve the tire and avoid leaks on the sides.
Valve knife key. It usually comes with the tubess tool kit. It is a small circular key with which you will release the man from the valve to introduce the liquid through it. We advise you to take one in your exits.
Syringe. The liquid inlet operation by the valve can be done cleanly and precisely with a syringe with drawn capacity. Thus you can calibrate the amount of the exact liquid for your wheels.
Sellant Liquid TUBELESS. You can find it in any bicycle store. We recommend looking for the specific one of your modality or bicycle (for MTB or road). In the container, the amount we must throw to each tire must be indicated, depending on its diameter or width. We also recommend taking a small amount of liquid for emergency repairs.

How to have your wheels? The process in 7 steps

The wheel pipe operation is not complicated. You will only have to follow a series of recommendations and not skip the steps of this process. Broadly speaking, it is as follows:

Counting with covers and tubeless tire, dismantle the bike wheel And the wheel releases, extracts the camera if you still use it and disassemble the tire. It will only be necessary to do it for a flank.
Install the new valve In the hole for her. Make sure it is well tight with your interior and exterior nuts.
The time for Install the other tire flank and accommodate it completely on the tire.
Ubica the valve at the bottom of the wheel and removes its howbils with the specific key. Then, and carefully, Inject the sealant fluid with the help of the syringe and a hose attached to its nozzle. The liquid will be introduced to the wheel, avoiding the loss of it.
Once the liquid is introduced, closes the valve with its way and Inflate the wheel. Enter a generous amount of air quickly until the roof carrier.
With the roof carved, Turn the wheel with your hands from one side to another and up or down. Thus the liquid will be distributed throughout the circumference of it.
Finally, Adapt the pressure to that recommended by the manufacturer, or to which you usually use.

Remember that with tubeless you can roll with somewhat lower pressures. Assemble the wheel on the bike and roll!

Frequent breakdowns of tubeless and how to solve them

We have already said that, although very practical and reliable, the tubess system has some contraindications. If you do not avoid them, you will face problems and breakdowns such as the following: The sealant fluid has dried and stuck to the tire. It is a frequent problem When you haven't left For a long time, or as a consequence of the heat. If this occurs, disassemble the tire and wet with hot water the areas with solidified fluid remains. You can help you a soft brush to rub and remove the remains. Then, dry the roof and install it again on the tire.

Inactivity is one of the great enemies in the maintenance of a tubeless system.

Tubeless tire flanks stick and do not allow the cover to be disassembled. This is a more cumbersome problem that requires time and morning to solve it. Help yourself from several removable to take off the flanks and separate the parts attached. If they continue to adhere, introduce hot water For some rostest of the tire with the help of a syringe, careful not to pierce the tire. The valve has been obstructed with the liquid. It is an authentic headache for every tubeless user. The dry liquid has ended up obstructing the valve and the wheel cannot be inflated normally. Test a disassemble the valve, withdrawing the way, and wash it carefully. Also clean the tire hole and its surroundings. If the problem persists, replace it with a new one. The liquid does not seal when clicking. The cause of this problem may be that the liquid has dried, or that the amount is not enough. In a wheel of 29 '', you should use between 80 and 100 ml; in wheels of 27.5 '', about 60 ml. You can solve it in three different ways:

Turn the wheel quickly. This will cause the liquid that is in other areas of the wheel to move and cover the puncture gradually.
Cover the hole with a wick. If you continue losing air, you can introduce a tubeless repair fuse with the help of a punch. Both are sold in kits and are economical.
Install a camera to return to the conventional system and continue to the route.