Faux tubeless tyres

[Chris S]

A frame builder has glued the inner tube to the inside of the tyre.

"This provides rigidity and thickness to enable the sealant to plug the hole, and no space between the inner tube and tyre for the sealant to leak into."

"It’s also possible to remove the tyre from the rim, without bathing yourself in sealant and without the usual struggle of mounting and dismounting tubeless tyres on tubeless-ready rims."

https://www.bikeradar.com/news/faux-tubeless

 

[fossyant]

I don't have an issue with tubes as they are !

 

[13 rider]

I don't have an issue with tubeless

So the frame builder has solved a problem that doesn't exist 🤣

 

[Ian H]

It's not actually a new invention, though Mr Hallett has refined it.
He suggests using the lightest tyres and tubes. Because they're bonded together they seal just like tubeless. But, you don't need tubeless tyres or rims; you don't need to shock the tyres to seat them; you need less sealant, and it's contained within the tube, so no mess when you remove the tyre. He reckons they roll as well as tubeless. He told me he removed 14 thorns from a worn-out tyre, which hadn't suffered a single deflation.

 

[wafter]

It's not actually a new invention, though Mr Hallett has refined it.
He suggests using the lightest tyres and tubes. Because they're bonded together they seal just like tubeless. But, you don't need tubeless tyres or rims; you don't need to shock the tyres to seat them; you need less sealant, and it's contained within the tube, so no mess when you remove the tyre. He reckons they roll as well as tubeless. He told me he removed 14 thorns from a worn-out tyre, which hadn't suffered a single deflation.

That's quite a compelling argument; although I'd question the rolling resistance assertion as you're still deforming more material. Can see the lack of movement between the tyre and tube causing lower losses than a traditional tubed setup though.

It does beg the question of what happens if the tube sustains catastrophic injuries like a valve failure - does the tyre have to be written off?

 

[Drago]

You're deforming more material than pure tubeless, but by joining them youre eliminating movement between the two surfaces which is responsible for a fair sum of rolling resistance on tubed tyres.

 

[Ian H]

That's quite a compelling argument; although I'd question the rolling resistance assertion as you're still deforming more material. Can see the lack of movement between the tyre and tube causing lower losses than a traditional tubed setup though.

It does beg the question of what happens if the tube sustains catastrophic injuries like a valve failure - does the tyre have to be written off?

The glue is tub cement. You just rip the tube out and replace it.

 

[figbat]

It does beg the question of what happens if the tube sustains catastrophic injuries like a valve failure - does the tyre have to be written off?

What if you suffer a slash in the tyre when riding? On a conventional tubeless setup you can use a boot and put a tube in and keep going. Doesn’t appear possible with this setup - do you have to carry a spare tyre?

 

[Drago]

Using a boot isnt always as easy as it sounds. If it goes well it's still messy, and if it doesn't youll struggle to de goo the surrounding area sufficiently to get the boot to adhere. Its why I went back to choobz for my commuter.

 

[mickle]

Such a thing existed in the form of a bona fide product circa 1985. It was intended to combine elements of tubs and wired tyres. They were expensive and pointless and never caught on.

There's no movement between tube and tyre when properly inflated. Ive seen inner tubes wear out inside tyres, but only when ridden chronically underinflated.

 

[Drago]

Part of the point of tubeless is to ride at lower pressures and, as you ssy, thats where the rubbing occurs.

Which is a moot point when you weigh North of 120kg. You need a lot of air regardless of the tyre type.

 

[figbat]

Using a boot isnt always as easy as it sounds. If it goes well it's still messy, and if it doesn't youll struggle to de goo the surrounding area sufficiently to get the boot to adhere. Its why I went back to choobz for my commuter.

It doesn't need to adhere. You can use a gel wrapper, crisp packet or a fiver. It just needs to bridge the slash and the inflated tube holds it in place. Agreed it can be a messy job but you will be mobile again once it is done. With this 'innovation' there is no fixing a slash cut. Where I ride these are not uncommon due to the amount of flint around.

 

[wafter]

What if you suffer a slash in the tyre when riding? On a conventional tubeless setup you can use a boot and put a tube in and keep going. Doesn’t appear possible with this setup - do you have to carry a spare tyre?

Indeed... the article appears to suggest that the adhesive used allows the tube to be removed as necessary.

I can see the appeal but even as a hassle-dodging, bodge-positive puncture-hater I'm still on the fence at best.

 

[Ian H]

It doesn't need to adhere. You can use a gel wrapper, crisp packet or a fiver. It just needs to bridge the slash and the inflated tube holds it in place. Agreed it can be a messy job but you will be mobile again once it is done. With this 'innovation' there is no fixing a slash cut. Where I ride these are not uncommon due to the amount of flint around.

You can fix it just the same. The tube can be replaced on the road - it won't be glued in, but it'll certainly work.

 

[Dogtrousers]

I assumed it was a spoof, but nobody seems to be pointing and laughing.

I would have many questions if I could be bothered to take it seriously and ask them. But I can't.