If you’ve ever considered going tubeless but not 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 questions on tubeless tyres to help you make the right decision.
Why should I switch to tubeless bike tyres?
Tubeless tyres offer a number of benefits with the primary support of instantly sealing 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!
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 are airtight, tubeless setups with sealant for fewer flats and lower pressure riding.
Tubular tyres have the 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 due to thicker casings and the addition of sealant than inner tubes especially when using lightweight latex tubes.
Can I convert any wheel to run tubeless?
No you’ll need to ensure your rims and tyres are tubeless ready, check with your manufacturer for more details.
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.
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 any mess up?
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:
- Identify the source of the puncture and remove the debris or puncture source.
- If the puncture requires the medium or larger worms, then ream the hole several times with the knurled area of the tool, make sure you use a 45-degree angle and follow the direction of the tyre to ensure you don’t damage your tubeless tape or the tyre wall.
- Now grab a tyre worm (you may need to use the tool to help slide out the worms). The largest size is for MTB tyres the medium for gravel tyres and the small for road tyres, but you can select the best one for your sized hole. Now pinch one end of the worm hard between your fingers to flatten it out. (If using the thin worm, thread through the tip at the end of the tool, not the main larger slot).
- Thread through the gap at the end of the tool, so the worm is now sitting centrally on the tool.
- Locate the puncture hole then insert the tool through the hole until the worm is around halfway through the tyre. Be sure to use a 45 degree angle and follow the direction of the tyre to ensure you don’t damage your tubeless tape or the tyre wall. Ensure the ends of the worm remain on the outside of the tyre.
- Turning the tool slowly clockwise, a few revolutions to twist the worm inside the tyre and slowly pull up to remove, leaving the worm in your tyre and the hole plugged.
- Re-inflate the tyre to your desired pressure and you’re ready to roll! We recommend a max of 80 PSI on a road bike.
- Once you’re home, we’d recommend trimming the worm ends down with a knife so there is a minimum of 3-5mm still sticking out the tyre. (Be careful when trimming).
- TOP TIP! Simply trim down your different sized worms into singles or doubles and place them inside the capsule, so you have multiple options for different sized punctures.
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.
