Tubeless Tyres Explained: Are They Worth It?

Here's everything you need to know - explained simply.

What Are Tubeless Tyres?

Traditional tyres use an inner tube to hold air. Tubeless tyres, as the name suggests, don't. Instead the tyre forms an airtight seal directly against the rim, and a liquid sealant inside the tyre automatically plugs small punctures as they happen.

It's a system that's been used in cars and motorcycles for decades - cycling just took a while to catch up!

Why Go Tubeless? The Benefits

🚫 Fewer Punctures

This is the big one. The sealant inside a tubeless tyre seals small holes - from thorns, glass and flints - almost instantly and without you even noticing. Many riders go entire seasons without a puncture after switching.

🚀 Lower Tyre Pressure = More Speed and Comfort

Without the risk of pinch flats (where the tube gets pinched between the tyre and rim), you can run significantly lower pressures. Lower pressure means:

• More tyre contact with the road or trail
• Better grip, especially in corners
• A far more comfortable ride as the tyre absorbs more road buzz

Counterintuitively, lower pressure on a tubeless setup can actually make you faster - less vibration means less energy lost through the bike.

⚖️ Lighter Rotating Weight

Removing the inner tube reduces rotating weight at the tyre, which is where weight savings have the most noticeable impact on how the bike accelerates and climbs.

What Do You Need to Go Tubeless?

✅ Tubeless-Ready Rims

Your wheels need to be tubeless compatible - most modern wheels are, but it's worth checking. They'll usually be marked as TL or TLR (tubeless ready).

✅ Tubeless-Ready Tyres

Similarly, your tyres need to be tubeless compatible. Tubeless ready tyres have a tighter bead that creates the airtight seal against the rim. These are now widely available across road, gravel and MTB.

✅ Tubeless Valves

You'll need dedicated tubeless valves to replace the ones that came with your inner tubes. These screw into the valve hole in your rim and form part of the airtight system.

✅ Rim Tape

The spoke holes in your rims need to be sealed with tubeless rim tape to prevent air escaping. This is a simple but critical step in the setup process.

✅ Sealant

Sealant is the magic ingredient. It sits inside the tyre and instantly plugs small holes as they occur. Stan's No Tubes, Orange Seal and Peaty's are among the most popular brands. You'll need to top it up periodically - typically every few months - as it dries out over time.

How Does the Setup Process Work?

Setting up tubeless for the first time sounds intimidating but it's very manageable:

1. Apply tubeless rim tape carefully to the inside of the rim, covering all spoke holes
2. Install the tubeless valve through the valve hole
3. Mount the tyre onto the rim - it needs to be seated properly on both sides
4. Add sealant - either through the valve before you fully seat the tyre, or through the valve stem once it's on
5. Inflate quickly to seat the tyre bead against the rim - a track pump or compressor works best for this
6. Shake and roll the wheel to distribute the sealant around the inside of the tyre

The first setup takes a bit of time and patience, but after that maintenance is straightforward.

What Happens When You Get a Puncture?

For small punctures - which account for the vast majority - the sealant does its job automatically. You might hear a brief hiss and see a little sealant spray out, but the hole seals within seconds and you ride on without stopping.

For larger punctures that sealant can't handle, you have a couple of options:

• Tubeless plugs - a small rubber plug inserted into the hole to seal it, similar to a car tyre repair
• Insert a tube - carry a spare tube as a backup, and if the worst happens you can convert back to tubed temporarily to get home

Is It Right for Every Rider?

Tubeless is an excellent choice for:

• Gravel and MTB riders - where the puncture protection and lower pressure benefits are most noticeable
• Road cyclists who ride a lot of miles and are tired of regular punctures
• Sportive and event riders who want extra reliability on big days out

It's less essential if you:

• Only ride short distances occasionally
• Have wheels that aren't tubeless compatible without significant investment

Final Thoughts

Tubeless tyres genuinely change the riding experience - fewer punctures, better comfort, more grip and the confidence to explore without worrying about every sharp bit of gravel you ride over.

The setup takes a little effort the first time, but once it's done most riders wonder why they didn't switch sooner.

If you're curious, the kit you need is all in one place - and we're always happy to help if you have questions! 😊

👉 Browse tubeless kits, sealant, valves and tyres at Bikeparts.co.uk