to tube or not to tube.....

[jp-speed-triple]

I'm about to buy some TKC 80's for my 06 1200 GS thats got sparkley new spoked wheels (the stumps where my arm and leg were are healing slowly).

So, do i need tubes or tubeless for some local green laney type stuff and hopefully some Spanish/Portugese gravel in 2011.

Confused and clueless of Carnforth.

 

[Timolgra]

....no

 

[jp-speed-triple]

Thats clear then. Er, no to which bit?

 

[Greger]

no tubes

 

[mark71]

Two Schools of Thought

There are two schools of thought here as Im sure you will hear later on, the idea about having a tube is that you can easily repair the tube should you get a puncture however the downside to having a tube is that if it goes it usually goes quickly and can be detrimental to your health.

Going tubeless has its advantages and disadvantages, them being if you get a puncture it will usually go down slowly and not blow however if you get a bigger rip or gash off road (bigger than a repair plug) then your buggered.

So you pays your money and takes your chances, I tend to run tubeless and carry a spare front tube which can fit both front and back in an emergency to get you home.

Ive spent quite a few years racing enduro at quite a successful level so I have a little bit of knowledge in this department but as they say no one knows everything.

Anyway all for now and if you need any more info give me a shout.

Mark.

 

[jammyk]

there is a third way

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=228654&highlight=slime

this post discusses the merits of having an active sealant in your tyre also..

i ride tubeless on my R1, no issues of pulling up safely despite having had a high speed 'puncture'

i ride tubed on my MTB pushbike - i have had numerous blowouts especially with specific makes of tube.

i ride tubeless with a backup of tyrefoam on the GSAdv with tourances fitted. never had an offroad issue but i also make sure i dont head for problems - esp on places like salisbury with the fast sweepers of 'firetrack' and ruts with flint in them.

just another option to throw into the pot.