View Poll Results: Do You Run Tubeless and Carry a Spare Tube?
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Do You Run Tubeless AND Carry a Spare Tube?
#1
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Do You Run Tubeless AND Carry a Spare Tube?
Having recently installed a pair of Continental GP5000 tubeless tires which sealed so tight that I didn't even need to use any sealant to get them to hold air, I began wondering if it really makes any sense to carry a spare tube with me on rides. In the 25+ years I've been riding, the vast majority of flats I've had were either from pinch-flats or tiny thorns that popped the tube... both of which should be easily sealed by tubeless sealant. While I can't predict the future, I've never had a catastrophic tire failure where something ripped a big gash in my tire. Heck, even if that did happen, would a new tube have been helpful? A big hole in a damaged tire wouldn't work well with a tube as the tube would want to press through the hole.
Therefore, does it really make sense to carry a spare tube when running tubeless? It seems to me like tubeless is kind of an "all or nothing" proposition... it's either going to work as intended or you're going to be calling someone to come pick you up because the tire damage is so bad that no road-side repair is going to help. Thoughts? What do you do... do you run tubeless and carry a spare tube "just in case"?
Therefore, does it really make sense to carry a spare tube when running tubeless? It seems to me like tubeless is kind of an "all or nothing" proposition... it's either going to work as intended or you're going to be calling someone to come pick you up because the tire damage is so bad that no road-side repair is going to help. Thoughts? What do you do... do you run tubeless and carry a spare tube "just in case"?
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Since going tubeless, the spare tube was used once, but to help a cyclist that was having a really with flats(not on my bike).
I do carry a tube in my hydration pack when mountain biking.
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I do, and had to use it on a recent gravel ride. Plugs wouldn't seal and had to put the tube in to get back, would have been stuck 28 miles away from my truck without the tube.
For a big gash in the tire, you can throw a boot and tube in and at least get home.
For a big gash in the tire, you can throw a boot and tube in and at least get home.
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I ask because my new tubeless tires have such a tight bead that a road-side repair wouldn't be feasible. I figure I'm going to have to use a blow-torch and plasma cutter to get these tires off when they wear out
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Yeah, for me, a mini pump has become a non-negotiable. I no longer carry CO2 as I have had too many mishaps where the CO2 didn't work as expected (sometimes user error, sometimes not). A mini pump in theory should be more reliable and provide an infinite amount of air... provided one's arms don't fall off from all the pumping.
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Yeah, for me, a mini pump has become a non-negotiable. I no longer carry CO2 as I have had too many mishaps where the CO2 didn't work as expected (sometimes user error, sometimes not). A mini pump in theory should be more reliable and provide an infinite amount of air... provided one's arms don't fall off from all the pumping.
These work great.
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Same, I'd rather carry it and not need it, than to get stuck somewhere. It's also come in handy to help other people out. On a long road ride, I'll carry two tubes (but I run tubes on the road, not tubeless).
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I do carry a tube with my tubeless bikes, yes.
I’ve had instances where a gash was too big to seal, and a tube with a dollar bill or Gu wrapper boot did the trick.
I consider a tube part of a basic emergency kit for all my bikes, both tubed and tubeless. Included in that kit are basic multitools (no chain tool), tire levers, glueless patches, zip ties, CO2 and head, and a few bucks. Each bike has it’s own seat bag, always prepped and ready to go. Most of the bikes have a version of the Lezyne Road Drive pump as well, but I have omitted one on the last two builds; probably a poor choice, but sh*t has been getting expensive for me, and $100 here and there adds up!
I have also been in the situation where I could not prize off tubeless tires, such a situation which precipitated my first ever sag ride home...at least since the mid-80s. I honestly can’t recall one other. So yeah, that’s an issue which I sought to remedy by changing sealants— I now prefer Bontrager— but I also carry a pair of real tire levers now, not the silly, tossed-in as an afterthought kind which might be included with a seat bag (e.g. Scicon) or a multitool. Even those blue Park
ones are rubbish. Choose wisely. Choose rigid ones.
I’ve had instances where a gash was too big to seal, and a tube with a dollar bill or Gu wrapper boot did the trick.
I consider a tube part of a basic emergency kit for all my bikes, both tubed and tubeless. Included in that kit are basic multitools (no chain tool), tire levers, glueless patches, zip ties, CO2 and head, and a few bucks. Each bike has it’s own seat bag, always prepped and ready to go. Most of the bikes have a version of the Lezyne Road Drive pump as well, but I have omitted one on the last two builds; probably a poor choice, but sh*t has been getting expensive for me, and $100 here and there adds up!
I have also been in the situation where I could not prize off tubeless tires, such a situation which precipitated my first ever sag ride home...at least since the mid-80s. I honestly can’t recall one other. So yeah, that’s an issue which I sought to remedy by changing sealants— I now prefer Bontrager— but I also carry a pair of real tire levers now, not the silly, tossed-in as an afterthought kind which might be included with a seat bag (e.g. Scicon) or a multitool. Even those blue Park
ones are rubbish. Choose wisely. Choose rigid ones.
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I initially believed all the horror stories of CO2 but upon first use they were shot to heck. The only thing I've found an issue is if you let the CO2 flow too quick, you might risk freezing the tube near the valve and damaging it as it tries to stretch and inflate. But that hasn't happened to me yet. So it's just a supposed thing. For certain, even the most basic inflators I've used which you simply screw in to puncture the cartridge, require me to unscrew them a little to get the CO2 flowing. So you can control how fast the tube inflates and then when full, tighten the cartridge up and have some CO2 for topping off later if the patch job wasn't so good and you have a slow leak.
So my advice to any is whatever you carry, practice with it. Otherwise you might not use it correctly when you need it.
So my advice to any is whatever you carry, practice with it. Otherwise you might not use it correctly when you need it.
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Before going tubeless last year, I got plenty of practice using CO2(probably a dozen times per year)
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Or maybe it's an indication I need to ride more.
Also, there were three times I flatted. But since it was nearing 100F temps when those happened and I was only a short distance to the house, I either walked home or called the wife to come get me.
Last edited by Iride01; 06-04-20 at 10:42 AM.
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I've been considering ditching my tube; I haven't used one on the side of the road in more than two years. It's already in the saddle roll, though, and it's not really movin' the needle that much as far as weight is concerned. I suppose that I could get rid of the tire lever, too, if I'm not going to carry a tube, though - that'd probably save an additional 20g
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A dozen time a year! Geeze, I've used three cartridges in six maybe eight years for actual flats while out on the road. Two of them were not for me. And I don't carry a pump either. I guess I'm blessed to ride in a place where punctures are few.
Or maybe it's an indication I need to ride more.
Or maybe it's an indication I need to ride more.
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I just did the same thing to my tire levers over the weekend with a hack saw. I never, ever, never use the "spoke hook" on the levers and having that bend in the lever just makes them take-up too much space in my storage area. I have a different, more rugged set of Park levers at home that still has the hooks 'cause it doesn't matter at home.
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Ride with a tube. I personally have had more situations requiring a tube while using tubeless than I have had using tubes over the last 3 years (1).
https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycl...-tubeless.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycl...-tubeless.html
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I ride maybe 20% of your mileage (in the same area), and have been lucky enough not to have had a flat yet. IDK how much of that has to do with my 32mm tires and the fact that I mostly stick to the same route (frequented by cyclists).
But when the time comes to change tires, I wonder if I should go tubless as well (my rims are "tubless ready").
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Hey Noodle, I'm curious as to your flat statistics between tube vs. tubless tires (on road specifically).
I ride maybe 20% of your mileage (in the same area), and have been lucky enough not to have had a flat yet. IDK how much of that has to do with my 32mm tires and the fact that I mostly stick to the same route (frequented by cyclists).
But when the time comes to change tires, I wonder if I should go tubless as well (my rims are "tubless ready").
I ride maybe 20% of your mileage (in the same area), and have been lucky enough not to have had a flat yet. IDK how much of that has to do with my 32mm tires and the fact that I mostly stick to the same route (frequented by cyclists).
But when the time comes to change tires, I wonder if I should go tubless as well (my rims are "tubless ready").
I've had 1 tubeless tire cut down by glass, but that's the only flat in 1.5 years. Every time I replace a tire, it's filled with thorns. Some of that is likely because I no longer avoid every tiny bit of debris, like I used to.
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Hey Noodle, I'm curious as to your flat statistics between tube vs. tubless tires (on road specifically).
I ride maybe 20% of your mileage (in the same area), and have been lucky enough not to have had a flat yet. IDK how much of that has to do with my 32mm tires and the fact that I mostly stick to the same route (frequented by cyclists).
But when the time comes to change tires, I wonder if I should go tubless as well (my rims are "tubless ready").
I ride maybe 20% of your mileage (in the same area), and have been lucky enough not to have had a flat yet. IDK how much of that has to do with my 32mm tires and the fact that I mostly stick to the same route (frequented by cyclists).
But when the time comes to change tires, I wonder if I should go tubless as well (my rims are "tubless ready").
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My flats would usually come in bunches. The tires were either wearing thin, or it was monsoon season. After it rains hard, thorns and other debris will accumulate in bike lanes.
I've had 1 tubeless tire cut down by glass, but that's the only flat in 1.5 years. Every time I replace a tire, it's filled with thorns. Some of that is likely because I no longer avoid every tiny bit of debris, like I used to.
I've had 1 tubeless tire cut down by glass, but that's the only flat in 1.5 years. Every time I replace a tire, it's filled with thorns. Some of that is likely because I no longer avoid every tiny bit of debris, like I used to.
Yeah... that's the plan for sure. Also, I'd like to at least change a tube a couple of times just to get the experience. I know I should practice at home (as I've never done it), but every time I have some time, I'd rather go for a ride
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I run tubeless on my MTB and carry a Zefal Quick Repair sealant that seals the puncture and inflates the tyre - a good combo for racing. Tubeless on an MTB works really well, I find and I've yet to call upon the sealant although I've used it once before I switched and it worked really well too. I used to puncture at least once a fortnight before I went tubeless. Now? Nothing in more than 6 months so far.
For my road bikes, I haven't switched. I carry a spare tube and I used to carry a C02 cartridge but now a portable electric Fumpa Pump (Mini version, fits in my small-size saddle bag or pocket) which does away with the C02 and can inflate two tyres on a single charge. I'm considering the larger - but still small - Fumpa to replace my track pump as well.
For my road bikes, I haven't switched. I carry a spare tube and I used to carry a C02 cartridge but now a portable electric Fumpa Pump (Mini version, fits in my small-size saddle bag or pocket) which does away with the C02 and can inflate two tyres on a single charge. I'm considering the larger - but still small - Fumpa to replace my track pump as well.
#25
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Oh wow.. and the glass incident would have happened to both kinds of tires, so I wouldn't even factor it in.
Yeah... that's the plan for sure. Also, I'd like to at least change a tube a couple of times just to get the experience. I know I should practice at home (as I've never done it), but every time I have some time, I'd rather go for a ride
Yeah... that's the plan for sure. Also, I'd like to at least change a tube a couple of times just to get the experience. I know I should practice at home (as I've never done it), but every time I have some time, I'd rather go for a ride
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