stevel610 

Getting new wheels for a frame that will fit up to 50's. Generally run 32c-38c. Wondering whether to go with tubed or tubeless. I've never had tubeless. This bike will be for road and fire trail / rail trail type off road. Going with 67" fixed & 59" freewheel for gear inches.

Are tubeless tires plus goop just as heavy as a tubed tire and tube? Any concerns about road efficiency with lower pressure required of tubeless? Any concerns about losing the bead seal off road and away from a compressor to re-seat?

Thanks in advance.

Koyote

If punctures are an issue where you're going to be riding, then yeah, try tubeless. It works very nicely at the tire sizes your are considering.

If the tires are mounted properly, I don't know how you would 'lose the bead seal off road." If you get a puncture that won't seal, just fix it as you normally would -- with a tube and some CO2 or a mini-pump. But that'll be rare. I've got about 12K miles on tubeless so far, and have never had any of these issues.

cxwrench

^This^
Why are you worried about efficiency on the road w/ gravel tires? Just ride and enjoy the view.

jpescatore

I can see going tubeless for mountain biking and maybe racing. But for me, recreational riding and touring, even with tubeless tires I would have to carry a tube and CO2 or a pump, so don't see the benefit and the periodic maintenance needed is a downside.

When I bought my last two bikes (one road, one gravel with 1x10) that came with tubeless ready rims and tires both shops said "We'll set them up tubeless if you like but don't recommend it for road/gravel riding."

Koyote

The benefit is that, potentially, you will be using your CO2 or pump far less often.

But if you don't have much problem with punctures now, because of your terrain and/or riding style, then sure, tubeless may not offer much benefit.

Rolla

I use tubes on my CX and on my gravel bike, but that's mostly because the rims and tires aren't really tubeless ready, and I find that 45 - 50 psi with tubes is plenty comfortable on the mix of road and dirt that I ride. If I was riding rougher terrain, flatting more often, or using disc brakes, I'd go tubeless. Love it on my mountain bike.

caloso

I have tubeless on my sscx, Really happy with it.

WhyFi

Most of what's mentioned in the OP is pretty irrelevant with regard to the decision on whether or not to run tubeless.

Would you flat regularly, otherwise? This should be self-explanatory - if you would flat regularly, you'd benefit from tubeless.

Is this a bike that's going to be ridden pretty regularly? If it's a bike that'll sit idle for long stretches, I'm not a fan of the additional upkeep of tubeless - either you're draining the sealant before shelving the bike until you ride it again or you're letting the sealant pool and dry out in the tires and you'll likely have to add more when you take it out again, anyway.

Toespeas

if you are running psi under 70 id not worry about tubeless , but with tubeless you need to keep on hand , tape , valve cores and sealant , if your wheels are not sealed already , its almost impossible to reset a tire after months of use , and sometime the holes wont seal and you will still need to boot and tube the tire to get back going , but i run 40 psi on my cx set up and its fine , i dont ride it everyday but i do smash it up in the trails and have got minor cuts and holes , id say go tubeless but always keep a spare tube and boot , but as far as weight goes the tubeless wheels i have are vittoria tactic and the tires i have are vittoria as 35mm and they are beefy , but light than my 23mm road ties and tubes !