If you’ve ever considered going tubeless but aren’t sure it’s for you, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve asked the experts at Muc-Off for their views on the most commonly asked questions on tubeless tyres to help you make the right decision.
Tubeless systems are mainly chosen for puncture resistance, lower tyre pressure, and improved ride feel.
Why should I switch to tubeless bike tyres?
Tubeless tyres offer a number of benefits.
The main benefit to tubeless tyres: they instantly seal the tyre when a puncture occurs. The tubeless sealant, which sits in the tyre, instantly seals the hole preventing the rider from getting a flat and ruining their ride!
Common tubeless advantages include:
- Fewer puncture interruptions.
- Lower tyre pressures.
- Improved grip.
- Lower rolling resistance.
What do I need to go tubeless?
The 5 key items needed to go tubeless are as follows:
1. Tubeless ready wheels – the rim on the wheel set needs to be compatible with tubeless tyres.
2. Tubeless tyres –tyres which are compatible with tubeless wheels.
3. Rim tape – tubeless relies on a tape which sits as a seal along the inner side of the rim.
4. Tubeless valves.
5. Tubeless sealant.
What’s the difference between tubeless and tubular?
Tubeless tyres: airtight, tubeless setups with sealant for fewer flats and lower pressure riding.
Tubular tyres: tube sewn inside, glued to rims, preferred for racing due to lighter weight and ride quality but are harder to install and repair.
Is tubeless heavier than inner tubes?
Tubeless tyres are generally heavier than lightweight inner tube setups. The extra weight comes from:
- Thicker tyre casings.
- Sealant inside the tyre.
Can any wheel be converted to tubeless?
No. You’ll need:
- Tubeless-ready rims.
- Tubeless-compatible tyres.
Otherwise, the sealing may fail.
How do I know if my tyres or wheels are tubeless compatible?
Most wheels and tyres generally state if they are “tubeless ready”. If unsure, please check in-store with a Halfords expert and they’ll be happy to help!
Do I need a new pump?
No, as most pumps will have a presta fit valve connection on the pump.
How to pump a tubeless tyre properly?
Pump up a tubeless tyre without the hassle using our easy steps. New to tubeless? Learn how to get the seal, pressure, and technique right so you can pump your tyre up confidently.
Tyre inflation steps:
You can choose to inflate your tubeless tyre using either a floor pump, electric pump, or air compressor. Although, particularly with an air compressor, be careful not to exceed the maximum pressure which is typically found on the tyre sidewall.
- Firstly, inspect your tyre for visible damage and to make sure that it’s properly seated – if not, follow along our useful steps.
- Connect the pump to the valve stem. Make sure it’s tight to prevent any air leaking out.
- Start inflating until the tyre is properly seated – this will likely require higher air pressure than your typical riding pressure to seat the tyre correctly
- Listen out for the bead seating – a pop noise indicates that the tyre has seated correctly on the rim
- You will now likely need to release some pressure to reach the optimal riding amount
- Final checks – test the pressure using a pressure gauge and inspect for any leaks that could hinder your cycling
…And now you’re ready to go!
Is it messy to make the switch to tubeless?
It doesn’t have to be. At Muc-Off have made it super simple to set up tubeless thanks to our pouch system to insert the sealant through the valve rather than unseating the tyre from the rim
How do I clean sealant?
Should any sealant spill, this can simply be cleaned up with water and a cloth. If the sealant is left to dry, our Glue and Sealant Remover can help with removal.
What happens if I get a tyre puncture?
The sealant inside the tyre seals the puncture when it happens, the pressure within the tyre pushes the sealant and the sealing particles into the hole and then cures and plugs it. That’s the beauty of tubeless – your ride will be un-interrupted!
How do I use a plug kit?
Should the sealant not seal the hole, follow the below steps to repair your puncture with a plug kit:
- Find the puncture and remove debris.
Locate the puncture hole and pull out anything causing the puncture, such as glass, flint or a thorn.
2. Prepare the hole.
If you’re using a medium or large plug, use the reaming tool to gently roughen the puncture hole several times. Keep the tool at a 45 degree angle and follow the direction of the tyre to avoid damaging the tubeless tape or tyre wall.
3. Choose the correct tyre plug (worm)
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Large plug = MTB tyres
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Medium plug = gravel tyres
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Small plug = road tyres
Flatten one end of the plug between your fingers, then thread it through the slot in the tool so it sits centrally. Thin plugs should go through the narrow tip slot instead of the main slot.
4. Insert the plug
Push the tool into the puncture until roughly half of the plug is inside the tyre, again keeping that 45° angle. Leave both ends visible outside the tyre.
5. Secure the repair
Twist the tool slowly clockwise a few turns, then pull it out carefully. This leaves the plug lodged in place and seals the puncture.
6. Reinflate the tyre
Pump the tyre back up to riding pressure. For road tyres, 80 PSI is the recommended maximum after a plug repair.
7. Trim the excess when home
Once home, trim the plug ends so around 3–5 mm remains visible. Cut carefully, away from yourself.
Top tip: Pre-cut spare plugs into singles or doubles and store them in your repair capsule so you’ve got different sizes ready on every ride
How often should I top up the sealant and does sealant expire?
Sealant lasts approximately 3-6 months in the tyre but can be dependent on temperatures, so it’s always worth checking regularly and topping up when required, especially in warmer climates
How much sealant do I need?
This depends on the wheel size but on all our sealant pouches and bottles have an indicator guide to show you how much you need to insert.
Can I mix different sealant brands?
We suggest not mixing the formulas, as different sealants have different ingredients and could cause reaction or simply become an ineffective solution.
What happens if the tubeless valves become clogged?
If your valve core clogs, simply remove from the valve stem, run under warm water to remove the blockage and re insert. We also have our glue and sealant remover spray for stubborn blockages.
What spares do I need to take on a ride?
We recommend the following must haves in your ride pack:
- 1 x Muc-Off No Puncture Tubeless Sealant Pouch
- 1 x Muc-Off c02 Inflator
- 1 x Muc-Off B.A.M – Instant inflator
- 1 x Set of Rim Stix Tyre levers
- 1 x Mini tool
- 1 x Inner tube (in case all else fails!)
What happens if I don’t ride my bike for a few weeks?
Just simply check the tyre pressure before your ride to ensure the tyre is well inflated but the set up should be fine to ride.
What should I do if I don’t plan to ride over winter?
If the period extends over 6 months, check your sealant as it will probably need a top up when you come round to your next ride.
That concludes the most frequently asked questions on tubeless tyres. We hope this has provided insight to help you decide whether going tubeless is right for you!
Explore the full Muc-Off tubeless range over on Halfords.com.
