Is it just me or are tubeless tires the ultimate exercise in frustration for the average cyclist? I mean, whats the point of having a puncture-proof system if you need a PhD in tire repair to fix it when it inevitably goes wrong? And dont even get me started on the mess of sealant and tire levers that seems to be an occupational hazard for anyone brave enough to tackle a tubeless repair.
Meanwhile, our road cycling brethren seem to be perpetually stuck in a time warp, extolling the virtues of their precious inner tubes like theyre some sort of ancient relic. But lets be real, tubes are simple, theyre easy to replace, and they dont require a chemistry degree to fix. So, I have to ask: are tubeless tires really worth the hassle, or are we just drinking the Kool-Aid because its the latest and greatest thing in cycling tech?
Im not talking about the pros and cons of tubeless vs. tubes in terms of performance or weight savings – weve all heard that debate ad nauseam. Im talking about the practical reality of owning and maintaining a tubeless setup. Is it really worth the extra cost and complexity, or are we just making life harder for ourselves?
And what about the environmental impact of all those discarded tubeless tires and sealant bottles? Are we really doing the planet a favor by switching to a system that requires more resources and generates more waste?
Im genuinely curious to hear from people who have experience with both tubeless and tubed systems. Are there any real-world benefits to tubeless tires that make them worth the extra hassle, or are we just chasing a myth?
Meanwhile, our road cycling brethren seem to be perpetually stuck in a time warp, extolling the virtues of their precious inner tubes like theyre some sort of ancient relic. But lets be real, tubes are simple, theyre easy to replace, and they dont require a chemistry degree to fix. So, I have to ask: are tubeless tires really worth the hassle, or are we just drinking the Kool-Aid because its the latest and greatest thing in cycling tech?
Im not talking about the pros and cons of tubeless vs. tubes in terms of performance or weight savings – weve all heard that debate ad nauseam. Im talking about the practical reality of owning and maintaining a tubeless setup. Is it really worth the extra cost and complexity, or are we just making life harder for ourselves?
And what about the environmental impact of all those discarded tubeless tires and sealant bottles? Are we really doing the planet a favor by switching to a system that requires more resources and generates more waste?
Im genuinely curious to hear from people who have experience with both tubeless and tubed systems. Are there any real-world benefits to tubeless tires that make them worth the extra hassle, or are we just chasing a myth?