Tubeless road tyre experience

katnia

Hi,

I'm getting new road wheels built and I'm seriously considering installing a tubeless tyre system. The wheel builder sells Schwalbe one (25mm) tyres only and he recommends them, but, as he is selling them I wanted to get some 'independent' views from people who have gone tubeless and if they would recommend them for comfort, road holding/grip and reduced risk of punctures.

Generally, what you do you think of them?

I ride mainly for leisure and do longish spins and sportives, no commuting. I currently have Continental GP's 4000II s in 25mm and I like them.

It's going to cost quite a bit to get these installed and I want to make sure it will be worth it for the supposed extra comfort and puncture resistance.

Thanks,

Harrybelafonte

katnia wrote: »

Hi,

I'm getting new road wheels built and I'm seriously considering installing a tubeless tyre system. The wheel builder sells Schwalbe one (25mm) tyres only and he recommends them, but, as he is selling them I wanted to get some 'independent' views from people who have gone tubeless and if they would recommend them for comfort, road holding/grip and reduced risk of punctures.

Generally, what you do you think of them?

I ride mainly for leisure and do longish spins and sportives, no commuting. I currently have Continental GP's 4000II s in 25mm and I like them.

It's going to cost quite a bit to get these installed and I want to make sure it will be worth it for the supposed extra comfort and puncture resistance.

Thanks,

I have them and wouldn't get them in your situation. I only use them for racing tbh. They do work, for sure, but you're paying premium for something I don't think you'd need.

Lumen

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

I have them and wouldn't get them in your situation. I only use them for racing tbh. They do work, for sure, but you're paying premium for something I don't think you'd need.

Tubeless or tubular?

katnia

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

I have them and wouldn't get them in your situation. I only use them for racing tbh. They do work, for sure, but you're paying premium for something I don't think you'd need.

I will do a limited of racing but nothing serious and that's not really in my thoughts as a consideration for buying them.

katnia

Lumen wrote: »

Tubeless or tubular?

good point, it's tubeless I'm (potentially) going anyway.

usheeeen

Lumen wrote: »

Tubeless or tubular?

Sounds like he means tubular. Tubeless is kind of perfect for "comfort, road holding/grip and reduced risk of punctures." apparently.

I'd love to try tubeless on my road bike but cant really justify spending so much on something just to try it. If it becomes more widespread I would, theres very few tyres out atm to choose from. I'd just go with wider rims-you can be perfectly comfortable with similar tyre pressures and I'd imagine close levels of grip to tubeless.

aworthycause

Fewer punctures? I race on them, couple thousand km a year on race bike. One puncture in 5 years. Wouldnt go back to race on clinchers, although I train on clinchers.

katnia

usheeeen wrote: »

I'd love to try tubeless on my road bike but cant really justify spending so much on something just to try it. If it becomes more widespread I would, theres very few tyres out atm to choose from. I'd just go with wider rims-you can be perfectly comfortable with similar tyre pressures and I'd imagine close levels of grip to tubeless.

I was quoted quite a bit for the Schwable one tyres and to get them fitted with the tape, valve etc from a UK wheel builder who is building my wheels. The wheels I'm getting are quite wide anyway but I think if you can get extra comfort, then why not..?

However, I've just discovered that Bike24 are selling the Schwalbe One tyres at €32 each now (roughly half price), they are on offer so not very expensive it would seem. When you add in the sealant and tape etc you may be able to get all the kit for circa €100.

2 x continential gp4000 IIs tyres would cost around €75 for the set, so not too much difference. It's quite tempting..

Harrybelafonte

No, I meant tubeless. The Schwalbe ZX are not long lasting tyres. I spent a year running them for training and racing and after a few months they were worn enough to puncture often enough that there wasn't enough fluid left inside. Or it just wouldn't hold. It sounds like you're getting someone else to out them on too. Maybe the new versions are better, but you should really get an idea of how difficult they are to get on and off if you have to put a tube in them when the hole is too big for the sealant to work.

Harrybelafonte

Bike24 don't seem to have the zx anymore, though they used to do a kit. Jedi Sports still do it I think. I don't know what the 1s are like.

Trying to get clinchers onto tubeless rims is also a pain btw.

If you read the reviews, the puncture prevention and the handling are the two main benefits. So, in a race, a whole that'll seal in a few seconds with only partial lose of pressure could keep you in the bunch awhile offer you back to the start. For training spins where you find yourself 70k from home, I'd rather an easy to fix clincher. Handling wise, ok, you can run it at low pressure with no risk of pinch flats, but I'm not 100% that makes up for the other elements I'm dissatisfied with.

Tenzor07

katnia wrote: »

Generally, what you do you think of them?

No flats, good grip, so can't complain.. Using Schwalbe 1 tires.. can run lower pressures, less road buzz

katnia

Tenzor07 wrote: »

No flats, good grip, so can't complain.. Using Schwalbe 1 tires.. can run lower pressures, less road buzz

Have you many miles on them? How are they holding up?

Tenzor07

katnia wrote: »

Have you many miles on them? How are they holding up?

Over a year now, plenty of long spins, club races, commuting, no issues, though i should maybe change the sealant as it can dry up over time..

katnia

Tenzor07 wrote: »

Over a year now, plenty of long spins, club races, commuting, no issues, though i should maybe change the sealant as it can dry up over time..

Thanks for the feedback, much appreciated.