[Closed] Road wheels - anyone gone tubeless?

I've only ever used them in short prologue time trials, but I've never been tempted, largely because of my perception of the hassle of carrying and changing a spare tub. In the same space I carry two tubes and a CO2 cylinder and 3 Allen keys. I'm proficient at changing inner tubes, and happy that once changed and pumped up I can ride as normal, whereas I would be less confident on an old tub. I'm not sure, but I've read that there is no performance advantage; tubs actually have higher rolling resistance than clinchers.

So, all hearsay and old wives tales perhaps, but not for me.

I think we are talking about tubeless, not tubular tires.

I run tubeless and did on my previous bike.
I had CXP22 rims with two layers of stans tape and Hitchinson Fusion 2 tires on my old bike. I had no problems with them.

I've now got Fulcrum 2-way fit wheels with Fusion 3 tires. No problems so far. I like them as I can run lower pressures (80/85 F/R) with no worries about pinch flats and the road here are not the best so I run with some sealant in them.

Crikey, tubs =/= tubeless

If you get a flat tubeless you just stick a tube in (or some sealent)

I considdered tubeless, but the tyres cost almost as much as tubs so I'm sticking with normal clinchers, light tubes and plenty of talc.

I have a friend who has been riding the Hutchinsons for a couple of years now without one puncture. I use Bontrager Hardcase on my training bike with tubes and have had no puncture in the same time period but probably do twice the annual mileage he does.

When you look at his tyres he has lots of little white dots on them where the sealant has come through so presumably they do their job. He's hopeless at changing tubes and not very conscientious about maintenance as well so it suits him well.

You pays yer money and makes yer choice I'd say.

Yes, durrrr didn't read very well

Me.

I only rode tubs briefly (long enough to puncture) and the ride is as good IMO, though that's of course not even remotely scientific.

Hutchinsons, no punctures yet, a couple of worrying gashes tho. Half the incentive was alpha rims whch are light as **** for the money. Getting the tyres on was fun...

Thanks for the replies. 🙂 I've just been changing road tyres, can normally change mtb tyres (but not on DT rims) but did find it a struggle due to swollen fingers and lack of dexterity. Would be more a peace of mind thing.

Do you need specific tubeless rims?

I've got 2 pairs of Ultegra wheels running tubeless, one pair of Fusion 3 and the other Intensives.
I've also got a pair of Ksyrium SLs with Fusion 2s
Not had any problem with any except when I had a Intensive on the back of my winter bike with guards on, I let it wear down to paper thin then it split and the latex didn't seal it!
The tyres are VERY tight to get on and off the rims, if you do need to put a tube in whilst out on the road it can be a problem!

Have the tubeless ultegra wheels on my road bike, considered tubeless, but for the benefit of running a lower pressure I went with 25c tyres that I run at 85/95 which are more comfortable than the 23c tyres I originally ran.

Hutchinsons on DT Swiss Tricons here, they roll very nicely and seal thorn punctures. Thumbs up from me.

Been using Fulcrum Racing 1's and Hutchinsons now for over 7 months, not one puncture !
Seem to get a far better riding experience and will never ever go back to old fashion tubes.

Fusion 3 on DA wheels here. My main motivation for tubeless was puncture protection. A lot of the lanes where I live have a lot of Hawthorne bushes besides them and regular punctures, especially in the autumn and winter, were a pain in the arse.

In two or three years running them I've not had a single puncture. I think they are a tiny bit more compliant than my old tubed Conti set up, but don't know if that's the tubeless set up or just different tyre brand. I have lost about five thumbs in the last two years getting the damn things on the rims though, and I'm happy I've got a big compressor too...

Some interesting viewpoints there, thank you.

Nice to read some positive comments but am concerned I would seriously struggle putting a tube in tubeless. I've gone tubeless on my hardtail but other bikes tend to either have a tubeless rear wheel or tubes in both. Talk about sitting on the fence!! 😳

I'll see how I go, with new tyres fitted. It's not ruled out. 🙂

I would seriously struggle putting a tube in tubeless

Had a Stans/Fusion kit in my garage now for about a year and have never gotten round to installing... This weekend for sure 🙄

Until a decent tyre manufacturer makes road tubeless I'm out + I'm not convinced the benefits are as good as on an MTB. I've only punctured once on the road in 2.5 years but I do often chuck tyres out early due to being very cut up and tubeless tyres aren't going to help with that (assuming soft compound anyhow).

I switched to Tubeless after a spate of punctures through the winter, the main reason being the added puncture protection. I am using Fusion 3's on Ultegra wheels, they were a bugger to get on the rims initially but I managed to get them inflated with a track pump and have had no issues since.

Noticed a real improvement in comfort (a lot of crap roads where I ride) and rolling resistance and cant see myself going back to tubes.