Mountain Bike Tires – Inner Tubes or Tubeless?
The sort of tires you choose for your bike depends on what you use it for. Mountain bikes are used for many different things over different ground, and each discipline requires different tires. If you have the right tires for the job they will make it safer and improve your riding as well.
Tires either come with a standard inner tube to keep them inflated or they are tubeless, so the question to answer is which one do you go for?
Most tubeless tires have a thick side-wall that locks into a specific sealed-bed rim. These tires can take a beating over rough terrain so they are ideal for downhill, but the downside is that they are more expensive.
The benefits of an airtight seal and a durable, low pressure performance are outweighed by the cost. They also require a clean rim and tire to fit them, and a big pump to inflate them.
Clean conditions are usually unavailable if the tire has to be replaced on the trail. And even with a C02 cartridge pump you’ll usually have to use an inner tube to get you home and then repair the tire later. Also while small holes might be repairable, a big hole can mean the tire is completely written off as well.
Tubeless tires are also heavier, so if fast start times and riding speeds are required, pick a lighter tire. Tires with inner tubes are usually lighter and offer greater flexibility. They are available in more designs and tread styles, so finding the right one for your riding style might be easier as well.
You can now get kits to convert a conventional tire with an inner tube to a tubeless tire. These combine a latex-based filling liquid and a rubber rim strip to seal the inside of the tire and rim. You will probably have to top off the filler now and then, but the cost is still much less than a standard thick wall tubeless tire.
You still get most of the low pressure advantages of a tubeless tire but with a much bigger choice of rims and treads, and with only the initial kit cost and latex top-ups to pay for. They are also lighter although the same repair problems on the trail apply unfortunately.
Whichever kind of tire you choose, it is essential to replace your tires regularly. A blow out on a trail can cause injury to you or other riders or even cost you a competition. With proper maintenance and careful selection, your tires will make a massive difference to your riding.
Get more advice on mountain bike tires and maintenance tips here.