The world of cycling never stops innovating to increase the comfort and safety of the cyclist, so get to know what tubeless tires are and their advantages!
This happens because, without the tubes, the bike is lighter, in addition to having reduced calibration, increasing traction on terrain that is more difficult to pedal, such as sandy and clay.
Among many advantages, another one that draws attention is related to the annoying punctures in the tires during pedaling. Tubeless does not need changing or maintenance when drilling, as the sealant prevents air from escaping, holding it up until it reaches its destination.
Too much, right? Let’s get to know better how a tubeless tire works?
What is a tubeless tire and how does it work?
This type of tire is developed with technology that does not use an inner tube, as its system is made up entirely of tires, rims, tape, valves and sealant, all specially developed to perform their functions safely and effectively.
The tubeless is inflated through a valve, just like the traditional tire, but it will not have a tube inside, just the air and the sealant, which will prevent both the air from escaping and punctures from withering the tire.
How to convert to tubeless tire
To find out if your tire is already tubeless, just look for the inscription “tubeless”. Now to find out if your bicycle rim accepts the conversion, you need to look for the inscription “tubeless-ready” or “radial tubeless”, as these will be appropriate to retain the sealant and support the type of tire.
To perform the conversion, you will need:
- tubeless tire
- rim tape
- Valve
- sealant
- Isopropyl Alcohol
Remember to buy all the specific products for the tubeless bike tire. Now, learn the step-by-step process to carry out the transformation.
1. Remove the tire and clean the rim with isopropyl alcohol
This serves to eliminate all dirt residues. Let it dry for about 10 minutes to make sure the liquid has evaporated, then apply the tape.
2. The tape must be centered
Do not cover the side walls of the rim and, if necessary, use a tool to help you glue it together.
3. After applying the tape, make an X
With great care and attention, make an X with a knife in the place that covers the filler valve hole. Fit the valve into the hole in the rim and screw in with your fingers, as the use of tools can damage it.
4. To fit the tire, start by fitting one side first
Then finish fitting it, leaving a 20cm gap from the valve and placing it in the 6 o’clock position to add a generous amount of sealant.
5. Keep the tire position
Now, you should finish fitting the hoop until you finish at the 12 o’clock position.
6. Apply a spray of water mixed with neutral detergent
Lastly, spread this mixture between the tire and the rim and inflate the tire little by little until the edges stick to the rim.
The sealant is primarily responsible for keeping your tire protected from holes of up to 3mm, sealing and preventing it from withering. 98% of the time, you won’t even notice that your tire has gone flat. For cases where the hole exceeds 3mm, always have a tubeless repair kit in your backpack.
Advantages of using tubeless
As mentioned before, this type of tire reduces the number of inconveniences with punctures because it is able to close them with a sealant that is part of its structure, when the perforation is up to 3mm, which already helps considerably on long walks and trails. .
Another consideration is the improved grip of the tire, as without the inner tube it doesn’t have to be over-inflated, and it improves ground contact due to the lower pressure, which makes pedaling safer on unstable ground.
As it does not have a tube, the tubeless tire also has greater flexibility, which helps when pedaling and also helps to combat punctures and known “bites”, a pressure of the tire against the rim that occasionally causes tears in it.
Remember to regularly service your tubeless tyre, as the sealant dries out and the more you ride, the faster you will need to dismount, clean and put on a new sealant, making your equipment more durable and ensuring a good ride.
This type of tire is taking up more and more space among bike lovers, even if the conversion is a bit complex and needs attention and maintenance. This is because the investment is worth it for the advantages, such as making the bike lighter, more grippy, with resistant tires and less risk of walking home.
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