Tires: Tube Vs. Tubeless

A mountain biker can be hard on equipment--especially bike tires. The performance, ride and agility of a mountain bike can be greatly affected by the type of tire the rider is running. An examination of the two tire types used in the sport--tubular and tubeless--will aid the biker in tire selection.

  1. Tubular Tires

    • Tubular tires, also called sew-up tires, are a combination of tire and tube in one.The tube is sewed inside the casing of the tire, giving the tire its name. The tubular tire is then glued to the bike rim to complete bike tire set-up. Tubular tires are lightweight and offer the rider the option of ride adjustment through the changing of air pressure in the tube.

    Tubeless Tires

    • Tubeless tires, or clinchers, use a liquid sealant to affix the tire directly to the rim. There is no tube involved. Tubeless tires became more popular in the 1970's. Before this time, tubular tires were the type most used. Tubeless tires themselves are also lightweight because there is no tube present, but weight must be added to the outside of the rim in the form of metal or carbon for the tubeless tire to grip or clinch onto.

    Tubular Versus Tubeless

    • If a flat occurs while riding, an emergency fix with a tubular tire is done by removing the tire/tube combo and replacing it with one carried along for the purpose. The glue attaching the tubular tire to the rim will not affix the new tire so care must be taken on turns and downhills until a permanent repair can be done. With the tubeless tire, a flat will not cause separation from the rim. An injection of new sealant is all the tubeless tire requires.

    Assembly Considerations

    • In a tubular tire, where the tire assembly includes tire, tube, valve and rim, a puncture causes instant leakage of air. The pressurized air finds its way between the tube and the tire and through the rim hole where the valve exits. In the tubeless tire, the valve is permanently attached to the rim and the assembly is airtight. If a puncture occurs, the loss of air is very slow as the air can only escape at the gap created by the penetration of the foreign object which caused the puncture.

    Rider Preference

    • Riders who have found a tubeless tire that is a comfortable fit for their riding style and preference generally stay with tubeless for the convenience of fewer tire changes. According to David Alyea, editor of QBike, almost all pro bike racers run on tubular tires. Tires that are run often and in changing terrain and conditions are usually tubular tires.