Tubular vs Tubeless vs Clincher tyres

[Anonymous1502]

Which tyre do you prefer and why? Which one would you recommend personally?

 

[vickster]

Clinchers...but I've never used anything else
None of my wheels are Tubeless ready so getting new ones hand built would be very expensive and as I rarely get punctures, pointless! I'm technically inept but I can change an inner tube, so best not to change to anything that involves messy gunge and whatnot!

Tubular I think are very specialist.

 

[Anonymous1502]

Clinchers...but I've never used anything else
None of my wheels are Tubeless ready so getting new ones hand built would be very expensive and as I rarely get punctures, pointless! I'm technically inept but I can change an inner tube, so best not to change to anything that involves messy gunge and whatnot!

Tubular I think are very specialist.

I have had my 3rd puncture in the past 5 months recently, I don't know what to make of it, not sure whether it is worth buying more expensive tyres or stay away from clinchers in the future or just accept that I had been unlucky and keep changing the inner tube.

 

[vickster]

I have had my 3rd puncture in the past 5 months recently, I don't know what to make of it, not sure whether it is worth buying more expensive tyres or stay away from clinchers in the future or just accept that I had been unlucky and keep changing the inner tube.

Lack of luck...get some better more puncture resistant tyres and keep an eye on where you are riding, stay out of the guuter and even avoid cycle paths which are full of rubbish!

 

[derrick]

Had a year of running tubeless, Must of had a couple of punctures, when i got home a couple of times the pressure was slightly down. They ride really smooth on lower pressures, No going back for me, Have already got another pair in stock.
https://www.wiggle.co.uk/schwalbe-p...52uk&pgrid=60973737802&ptaid=pla-522417751624 And Stans sealent.

 

[Anonymous1502]

Lack of luck...get some better more puncture resistant tyres and keep an eye on where you are riding, stay out of the guuter and even avoid cycle paths which are full of rubbish!

Having watched this:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5e3lYP1p2UM&t=280s


I was very impressed by these tubeless tyres.

 

[Anonymous1502]

Lack of luck...get some better more puncture resistant tyres and keep an eye on where you are riding, stay out of the guuter and even avoid cycle paths which are full of rubbish!

I always avoid paths with gravel and rubbish I stick to main roads and I try to not cycle to close to the edge as this is where rubbish tends to gather.

 

[vickster]

I always avoid paths with gravel and rubbish I stick to main roads and I try to not cycle to close to the edge as this is where rubbish tends to gather.

Good

 

[Sharky]

As was said on a parallel thread. I rode with tubular tyres for 25 years or so. But costly and when you start puncturing these you need skills to repair them or have to send them away.

Modern clinchers for the last 25 years. Much easier on costs and maintenance and performance almost the same.

Won't try tubeless as I have too many bikes and even more wheels, so couldn't afford to convert them all.

But don't switch to tubeless for the wrong reason. If it is just because you don't like or not very good at changing tyres and fixing punctures, tubeless might seem like a good option, but at some point you will get a flat and you will need the same set of skills to fix it, especially if you are out on the road.

There is a 4th option - solid tyres, which will eliminate your puncture phobia.

 

[Hacienda71]

Tubular aka tubs run at higher pressure than clinchers. Used a lot in racing. They don't tend to get pinch flats. Harsher ride but faster due to the higher pressure and reduced weight. You can ride on them when flat but not ideal. They are glued to the rim which is tubular specific. Makes changing them roadside difficult and carrying a spare tub is a pain.
Clinchers pretty much the standard. Easy to fix, not as light as the other two options but we are talking grams not kilos.
Tubeless in theory won't pinch flat at lower pressures and self seal in most instances. Most being the operative word. You will still need to carry a spare tube levers and a pump in case the self sealant fails or you slice the tyre carcass. Worthwhile on an MTB due to having tyres at a low pressure to improve grip, marginal benefit imho on a road bike or hybrid.

 

[Tripster]

MTB is Tubeless. Never had a problem in 3 years. Top up sealant and that’s that. I don’t ride often enough on it so it’s still on same rubber.I carry a tubeless repair kit in case and a couple of Co2 cartridges. In that respect I am more than happy.

Prior to that and on my single speed it’s inner tubes. Today I put two new tyres on and new inner tubes in 15 mins and it’s so easy and simple. The tubeless would mean cleaning the old sealant, reseating the tyre and then new sealant....so for that reason I like them because it’s simple

New bike will come with tubeless set up on road tyres. Is it a good option or not ?? Really don’t know because I can happily change tyres and tubes and fix a tubeless set up. Ultimately I like both but took the advice of the bike builder and went tubeless as running 30mm tyres

 

[nickyboy]

I always avoid paths with gravel and rubbish I stick to main roads and I try to not cycle to close to the edge as this is where rubbish tends to gather.

In that case you've just been unlucky with punctures. I have had three punctures in a week. Equally I've had zero punctures in twelve months. Same tyres, same riding style

Unless you go for bomb proof tyres (which can be hard work cycling with) I'm convinced that punctures are a matter of luck

I'd stick with your clinchers. Tubeless requires different rims therefore new wheels which is a big expense. You're riding the right way to minimise puncture risk, you've just been unlucky

 

[Anonymous1502]

As was said on a parallel thread. I rode with tubular tyres for 25 years or so. But costly and when you start puncturing these you need skills to repair them of have to send them away.

Modern clinchers for the last 25 years. Much easier on costs and maintenance and performance almost the same.

Won't try tubeless as I have too many bikes and even more wheels, so couldn't afford to convert them all.

But don't switch to tubeless for the wrong reason. If it is just because you don't like or not very good at changing tyres and fixing punctures, tubeless might seem like a good option, but at some point you will get a flat and you will need the same set of skills to fix it, especially if you are out on the road.

There is a 4th option - solid tyres, which will eliminate your puncture phobia.

When I looked at this video:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5e3lYP1p2UM&t=280s


The presenter made it look like it is impossible to get punctures. For my clinchers I once had a small thorn inside which punctured the whole tire so it makes me feel like clinchers aren't very resistant. I know how to change a puncture now but I think it is difficult especially on the side of the road and I definitely wouldn't want to change a puncture at night or in some serious rain.

 

[Anonymous1502]

In that case you've just been unlucky with punctures. I have had three punctures in a week. Equally I've had zero punctures in twelve months. Same tyres, same riding style

Unless you go for bomb proof tyres (which can be hard work cycling with) I'm convinced that punctures are a matter of luck

I'd stick with your clinchers. Tubeless requires different rims therefore new wheels which is a big expense. You're riding the right way to minimise puncture risk, you've just been unlucky

I definitely wouldn't get tubeless tires now due to the cost but I might keep it in mind for the future when replacing my current bike.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Just get some tougher tyres for winter. Then put your current tyres back on when it warms up.