Why I Finally Made the Switch to Tubeless (And You Should Too)

I will admit it – I was a tubeless skeptic for years. What is wrong with tubes? I would argue, standing smugly next to my floor pump after yet another flat repair. But after switching all my bikes over the past couple years, I am firmly in the tubeless camp. Here is why I changed my mind, and what I wish I had known before making the switch.

What Makes Tubeless Different?

The basic idea is pretty simple: instead of a rubber tube inside your tire holding the air, the tire itself seals directly to the rim. You add liquid sealant that plugs any small holes that develop. It sounds weird until you see it work – I have watched sealant spray out of a thorn puncture and seal up in seconds. Still kind of blows my mind every time.

The catch is that not every tire and rim combo works. You need tubeless-ready tires and tubeless-compatible rims. Trying to jerry-rig a tubeless setup with non-compatible parts is a recipe for frustration and potential rim burps (ask me how I know).

The Flat Tire Situation

Let us start with the obvious one. I used to flat maybe 4-5 times per season on my road bike, more on my mountain bike depending on conditions. Since switching to tubeless? I have had exactly two flats in the past two years that required roadside attention. And one of those was a sidewall gash that nothing would have fixed.

Most small punctures just… seal themselves. You might notice a tiny hiss, a spray of sealant, and then nothing. Keep riding. The peace of mind is honestly the biggest selling point for me.

Running Lower Pressure (Game Changer)

With tubes, running low pressure is risky. Hit a rock wrong and you will pinch flat – the tube gets squished between the rim and the obstacle and pops. With tubeless, that is not a thing. There is no tube to pinch.

This means you can run lower pressures for better grip and comfort. On my mountain bike, I dropped from around 28 psi to 22 psi and the difference in traction is incredible. Corners that used to feel sketchy are now much more confidence-inspiring.

Road riders can experiment with this too. I have gone lower than I ever would with tubes, and the ride quality improvement over rough roads is noticeable.

Weight Savings Are Real (Sort Of)

Tubes have weight. A standard road tube is maybe 100 grams, mountain bike tubes can be 200 plus. Remove two tubes and you have saved some rotating weight.

But here is the thing people do not mention: sealant also weighs something. I run about 60ml per tire, which is roughly 60 grams. So net savings are not as dramatic as the marketing suggests. Still lighter, but not by as much as you would think.

Where you do gain is rolling resistance. No tube means less internal friction. It is a small difference, but over a long ride it adds up.

The Installation Reality Check

Okay, I am not going to lie – tubeless setup can be annoying. The first time I tried it myself, I made a total mess. Sealant everywhere, tire would not seat, I was ready to throw the whole wheel into the yard.

Here is what actually helped:

• Good rim tape matters. Cheap tape equals slow leaks. Spend the extra few bucks on proper tubeless tape that is the right width for your rim.
• You probably need a compressor or high-volume pump. Regular floor pumps often cannot push enough air fast enough to seat the bead. I borrowed a compressor from a neighbor for my first setup and it made all the difference.
• Soapy water helps. Spray some on the bead before inflating. Makes everything slide into place better.
• Do not use too much sealant. More is not better. Follow the recommended amount or you will have a sloshy, unbalanced wheel.

After a few attempts, it becomes routine. But that first time is almost always a bit of a struggle.

Maintenance Is Not Bad

People act like tubeless requires constant attention. In reality, I top off sealant every 2-3 months and that is about it. I check pressure before rides just like I did with tubes. Not a huge deal.

The sealant does dry out eventually, which is why you need to add more periodically. In hot, dry climates it dries faster. If you ride infrequently, you might need to add sealant more often since it is not getting mixed around.

When Things Go Wrong

Tubeless is not magical. Big cuts will not seal. Sidewall damage is still game over. I carry a plug kit for trail repairs – those little bacon strip style plugs can save a ride when sealant alone will not cut it.

I also carry a lightweight tube as emergency backup. If everything fails, you can stuff a tube in there and limp home. It is messy (dried sealant everywhere), but it works.

Different Riders, Different Experiences

Mountain bikers get the most obvious benefit. Low pressures, constant puncture threats, rough terrain – tubeless is basically mandatory for serious trail riding now.

Gravel riders are a close second. Mixed surfaces, uncertainty about conditions, and rides far from assistance make self-sealing tires really valuable.

Road cyclists benefit too, though it took longer to catch on. The rolling resistance improvements are subtle but real. I think most of the resistance was just tradition – pros use tubes was the argument for a long time. That is changing.

What About Cost?

Tubeless tires cost a bit more than regular ones. You need sealant (ongoing cost, but not expensive). Rim tape needs occasional replacement. There is definitely some investment.

But think about how many tubes you buy over a season. And the replacement tubes you carry. And the time spent fixing flats when you could be riding. For me, the math works out positive pretty quickly.

My Honest Take After Two Years

I am not going back to tubes on any of my bikes. The setup is a bit of a hassle, and yes, sealant is messy. But the reduction in flats alone makes it worthwhile. The performance benefits are nice bonuses.

If you are on the fence, I would say start with your mountain bike or gravel bike if you have one – the benefits are most obvious there. Road tubeless is great but the margin of improvement is smaller.

And do not be discouraged if your first setup attempt is frustrating. Everyone’s first time is a mess. It gets easier.