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31 Jul 2014
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Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Hong Kong
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Going tubed or tubeless?
Hi there!
Can anyone tell me the advantages/disadvantages for having tubed/tubeless tires for a RTW journey?
Tubeless tires seem to be safer and easier to repair in case of puncture. But I wonder if tubed tires are more common in developing countries so it's easier to look for replacements.
I don't intend to do extreme off-road but I do expect some unpaved roads or trails.
Many thanks.
Cheers,
Kei
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31 Jul 2014
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Join Date: Jul 2014
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No so much tube versus tubeless but spoked versus unspoked. Spoked wheels are better for bad road/off road and most require tube tire.
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31 Jul 2014
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Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: West Yorkshire UK
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The key factor IMHO is the person and the tyres not the basic technology. Some tube rims and tyres (moto Guzzi) were so tight we struggled with a shop bead breaker. OEM unlubed Bridgestones on the Bonneville were close to impossible while lubed and hand fitted Hidenaus could be re-tubed with one 4-inch lever in five minutes.
Likewise I've seen mushroom plugs fail to hold because the fitter was clueless and a silly string repair that lasted the life of the tyre.
Choose your weapon how you like (i like tubeless) but practice with it.
Andy
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31 Jul 2014
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Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Sunshine Coast, Queensland Australia
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I just changed my Heidenaus after they did 20,000kms through Mexico and Cuba on an R1200GSA and no flats. They still had life in them but had the opportunity to change them at a good price in Guatemala. I've done 50,000kms on this brand now with no flats. No need to carry other tyres, only carry plugs and a compressor.
Thumbs up for tubeless, particularly this brand.
PN
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31 Jul 2014
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R.I.P.
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Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: california
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Threewheelbonnie
The key factor IMHO is the person and the tyres not the basic technology. Some tube rims and tyres (moto Guzzi) were so tight we struggled with a shop bead breaker. OEM unlubed Bridgestones on the Bonneville were close to impossible while lubed and hand fitted Hidenaus could be re-tubed with one 4-inch lever in five minutes.
Likewise I've seen mushroom plugs fail to hold because the fitter was clueless and a silly string repair that lasted the life of the tyre.
Choose your weapon how you like (i like tubeless) but practice with it.
Andy
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All good points. Wheels and tires vary ... and unless you know the proper technique installing a Plug, then they can leak or Pop out. (rare)
I wonder what bike you have? And I wonder what tires you intend to run?
If doing lots of OFF ROAD ... you may be running some sort of knobby?
Sometimes tough to get a Plug into a knobby tire, depending where puncture is.
Also, if going off road, you probably will need to carry a tube or two anyway, even if running tubeless. IE: if you damage side wall ... a tube can allow you to continue. Or ... if your tubeless-type spoked wheel gets damaged and leaks ... a tube can save the day.
But as said, lots depends on WHICH BIKE ... and WHICH tires you want to use.
If doing mostly On Road, my choice would Tubeless tires. But as Andy mentioned,
some tires are very hard to break the bead on. So plan tire changes carefully, make sure you get to a shop with a tire machine when time for new tire. For most flats a simple String plug or Mushroom plug fitted road side will work.
But good technique is important here. Also, carry a small compressor with and plenty of
Rubber Cement and a really GOOD tubeless repair kit.
Good luck. 
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1 Aug 2014
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Back in the Garage..regrouping.
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Hi,
We managed 7000 miles of dirt, gravel and crossing a mountain range off road in America and Mexico.....Two bikes and not one puncture. Until we shipped to NZ and found a nail within the first 15Km out of the port. All the dirt was on Knoblies....Pirelli MT21 fronts and Michelin T63 rears x 3 sets, the puncture was in a new 130 Hiedenau scout!! Waiting for our bikes to arrive in Dili after 6000km of tar and graded gravel in OZ (70/30 split favouring tar) - no flats!
I talked to a German guy who stuck to tar sealed roads and he had 4 flats in 6 months.....on one bike!! I guess it's down to luck and how you ride.
Like Mollydog says - It's probably more a case of what wheels you have and if you plan using knoblies. Use knoblies and you really need to carry tubes...so many ways you can damage a tyre off road and plugs have limited applications. What ever you chose, don't rely on the comp air cartridges alone and carry a decent pump - it needs to get that bead back on and if you get a hard to find slow puncture - you could soon use up the cartridges.
It sure is nice not having to remove that rear wheel though.....I wouldn't miss the finger bending job of dealing with the front tube either but as I fit all our tyres and got used to it......think I'd stick with my tubes.
Last edited by twowheels03; 1 Aug 2014 at 03:04.
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1 Aug 2014
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Thanks y'all
I think I'm going to have a used 250cc Honda dual sport. It has tubed tires.
The wheel rims are very old and the spokes are rusted. I may change the rims so just want to know whether switching to tubeless is recommended. The toughest part of my plan should be Africa along the east.
Cheers,
Kei
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