Tubeless recommendations

We have just had our hybrids converted to pedelecs by Woosh with powered front hubs & are very pleased with them. Unfortunately on our first proper outing last weekend my partner got a puncture on her front wheel & as we were unprepared our ride was aborted. It got me thinking regarding going tubeless as this has the reputation of giving immunity to punctures. This seems very popular for offroad but are there any drawbacks for onroad use? My initial thought was if going tubeless is so great & prevents punctures why isn't everyone using tubeless? Any experiences?

Fit Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres and forget about punctures.

I second Marathon Plus if not tubeless. However, I was discussing just yesterday how it would be good to have a tyre as punctures proof but with better riding characteristics, and that tubeless would help.

 

Tubeless needs more expensive rims and generally the tyres are more too. If it became more standard the the difference might (almost) go away, but it needs the inertia to make it standard.

When I first got my Emtb, I was getting a puncture on every outing. I switched to tubeless and have not had a flat since (6 mos). Mind you, I do some hairy trails and fire roads. Going to tubeless is an expense. If you are staying on the road, go with the Marathons

slime tubes would be a cheaper option.

https://www.evanscycles.com/slime-inner-tube-29-x-1-85-2-20-presta-valve-EV364188?wiz_medium=cpc&wiz_source=google&wiz_campaign=UK%20-%20Shopping%20-%20DT%20-%20Generic%20-%20Parts&wiz_content=UK%20-%20DT%20-%20Generic%20-%20Parts%20-%20Sub%20-%20Bike%20Handlebars%20-%20()&wiz_term=*%20%2F%20Product%20type&gclid=CjwKCAjw0vTtBRBREiwA3URt7nFgI7YCiNlKDZigB05W_P7OYlqSPXGq1xoHtTYvaresmSAHjMTwUBoC5OcQAvD_BwE

Slime doesn't work very well. My riding mate used to have it and he was always getting punctures, which are difficult to fix when you have slime in there.

OKO Tyre Sealant worked for me for several months until I got too curious where the green slime was weeping from . Stupidly I tried to remove the errant thorn and there wasn`t one . Result , the tyre went flat . Moral of the story is don`t start probing until you are home .

i think what puts most ppl of is the cost of a air blast pump but if you have one already then it is not that expensive bar 20 quid for the sealant.

 

https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/lifeline-airblast-tubeless-tyre-track-pump/rp-prod155451

 

bar stans no tubes corroding my rims i have never had a flat tyre in many years now

Slime doesn't work very well. My riding mate used to have it and he was always getting punctures, which are difficult to fix when you have slime in there.

I agree 100%. My experiences with slime were very poor; didn't stop a puncture within the fist day or so, and made a huge mess.

Either fit Marathons or fit a Gaadi tube so that you can replace (with another Gaadi) or repair the tube without removing the wheel.

We have just had our hybrids converted to pedelecs by Woosh with powered front hubs & are very pleased with them. Unfortunately on our first proper outing last weekend my partner got a puncture on her front wheel & as we were unprepared our ride was aborted. It got me thinking regarding going tubeless as this has the reputation of giving immunity to punctures. This seems very popular for offroad but are there any drawbacks for onroad use? My initial thought was if going tubeless is so great & prevents punctures why isn't everyone using tubeless? Any experiences?

I converted to tubeless a year or so ago, and have no intention of going back

If tubeless isn’t your thing or you are not sold on the concept, maybe try Tannus Armour inserts which you use with a tube

http://www.tannus.com.au/products/armour/

https://bikerumor.com/2019/05/13/tannus-armour-tyre-insert-runs-with-a-tube-and-offers-near-360-puncture-protection/

I converted to tubeless a year or so ago, and have no intention of going back

If tubeless isn’t your thing or you are not sold on the concept, maybe try Tannus Armour inserts which you use with a tube

http://www.tannus.com.au/products/armour/

https://bikerumor.com/2019/05/13/tannus-armour-tyre-insert-runs-with-a-tube-and-offers-near-360-puncture-protection/

Interesting, I hadn't heard of those. When I tried a kevlar band some years ago it hardly helped at all, but this wrap-around looks good. From the look of the cut through images It turns any tyre into a Marathon Plus; though their foam is different from the MP's rubber. It does come in expensive, a little more for the Tannus alone (not including tyre) then for the MP.

 

Does anyone have comparative experience of Marathon Plus and Tannus with lighter tyre; both from puncture protection, ride and longevity point of view?

 

p.s. UK reference for them. https://tannus.co.uk/product/armour_shop/

Another for Marathon Plus. I ride almost exclusively Welsh country lanes and suffered from hedge trimming thorns. No problem since going to the Marathons.

If you ride pretty much all road, with the occasional path, then plusses are fine. However the Marathon Plus Tours give a bit more sideways grip for light off road.

Interesting, I hadn't heard of those. When I tried a kevlar band some years ago it hardly helped at all, but this wrap-around looks good. From the look of the cut through images It turns any tyre into a Marathon Plus; though their foam is different from the MP's rubber. It does come in expensive, a little more for the Tannus alone (not including tyre) then for the MP.

 

Does anyone have comparative experience of Marathon Plus and Tannus with lighter tyre; both from puncture protection, ride and longevity point of view?

 

p.s. UK reference for them. https://tannus.co.uk/product/armour_shop/

Some experience and results posted here;https://electricbikereview.com/forum/search/583923/?q=Tannus&o=date

When you fit Marathon Plus, you don't get punctures. It's as simple as that. There's no need for daft inserts, weird tubes, slime or anything like that. You only need tubeless if you ride off-road and need proper off-road tyres for grip. Marathon Plus are fine for trails and things like that. Their grip isn't fantastic, but the plus side is that they last forever because they're hard as nails. Once fitted, they'll most likely last the life of the bike, so no more messing with tyres, tubes, etc.

 

Don't try and fit inserts. They cause more problems than they save. Everyone I know that tried them got a self-inflicted puncture from one.

Their grip isn't fantastic, but the plus side is that they last forever because they're hard as nails.

I haven’t used MP but they must be heavy and they don’t sound as if they are very comfortable or would be safe in the wet?

They weigh more than some, but not as much as others. I use 1 3/4, down from my previous 2.2" MTB tyres, so I probably saved some weight fitting them. You gain quite a bit on rolling efficiency compared with typical MTB tyres too. There are tyres with more grip, but you get punctures with them. You have to decide what you want. Also, tyres with good grip wear out quickly, so you still need to take your tyres off regularly, like when you get a puncture.

I haven’t used MP but they must be heavy and they don’t sound as if they are very comfortable or would be safe in the wet?

They aren't the most comfy, lightest or best in the wet; but not bad for any of those. Sideways grip on muddy paths is their weakest point for my usage. The no puncture upside is well worth the downsides for me; obviously not for everyone.

 

They don't last forever, I had to replace one after about 14 years (maybe 12000 miles), but pretty good.

They don't last forever, I had to replace one after about 14 years (maybe 12000 miles), but pretty good.

That's what happens when you show off all the time skidding to a halt in front of your friends.

Thanks for lots of interesting comments. As mentioned these are hybrid bikes & mostly used on the road with occasional off-road on e.g. footpath in a country park nothing extreme. The tyre size on both bikes is 700x38c.

 

It sounds like tubeless might be more faff & expense than is warranted & that fitting Schwalbe Marathon Plus is going to be the simplest & easiest solution with a Gaadi tube in the pannier bag in case we ever do get a puncture.

 

It's easy enough to find Schwalbe Marathon Plus 700x38c tyres as our local Halfords has them in stock but since I posted we have bought a used Woosh Santana Petite which has 24 x 1.75 tyres & it seems very difficult to find Schwalbe Marathon Plus in this size. I am also slightly confused by the multiple varieties of Schwalbe Marathon Plus. There is a Trail an e-Plus etc etc Which model will be best?

Fit Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres and forget about punctures.

I agree, I have a mate who's a dead keen cyclist, does around 12000 miles a year on all kinds of surfaces both on and off road. He told me he uses Marathon Plus tyres and never has a puncture. I have followed his advice and so far haven't had any punctures either.

The ones with the thickest puncture protection - hence ther plus. If you go to the schwalbe website you can see the difference. The difference between ordinary plus and the tours is tread patter/depth.

I've run one Marathon plus to bald, even had some of the blue layer showing, still no puncture.

The ones with the thickest puncture protection - hence ther plus. If you go to the schwalbe website you can see the difference. The difference between ordinary plus and the tours is tread patter/depth.

I've run one Marathon plus to bald, even had some of the blue layer showing, still no puncture.

What are they like for grip on road? Being a harder compound, are they 'slippy', in the wet or dry, or ok?

What are they like for grip on road? Being a harder compound, are they 'slippy', in the wet or dry, or ok?

It depends how you ride. They're fine as long as you slow down for tight corners. Over the years, I've slipped a couple of times, but never fallen off. Every tyre has its limit of grip. You find out where it is and ride within it. I always ride to the maximum.

Carrying a Gaadi tube as a spare is only of use if you use one in the tyre as well.