Tube or Tubeless

[LandCruiserPhil]

New to MB looking to get some feedback on what you guys are running off-road? Tube or tubeless, heavyduty tubes or Walmart, Slim or Stans?

My plan will be to mainly be on established well traveled EZ trails in the AZ desert.

 

[Funrover]

I run tubes on all of mine. If I am in an area know for flats I line the inside of the tire with an old tube.

 

[riverfever]

I prefer tubeless with Stans. I'm a pretty light guy so even in my tubed 29er I routinely run 22psi but have tubeless wheels on the way for that and will be able to get by with less. IMO it's just a better ride. However, if I was living down there I'd be riding that setup for better flat protection more than anything else.

 

[bigreen505]

Front: Tubeless with Stans on a tubeless rim (just a little Stans should a puncture occur).
Rear: Regular tire with Stans on a rim that can be converted to run either way (Cane Creek/Bontrager).

The front wheel/tire combo is ridiculously heavy (Continental Vertical Pro UST on a Mavic 819 with CK hub) but can take a lot of abuse and I'm neither the most skilled or graceful rider. I do have concerns with regular tires/stans about blowing a tire off the rim. I have never done it, but I hear enough stories online to be at least a little concerned.

 

[OneTime]

Tubeless No question

 

[xcmountain80]

I sort of got miffed with this whole thing. I have bontrager tubeless wheels (strips, valves) and Hutchinson UST tubless tires, while my tire seat and hold air with no tubes tey won't for over a day. I Know I know I'm supposed to get junk to put in there but why everything it sealed up (apparently not).

Aaron

 

[1speed]

I run tube type tires and rims tubeless with Stan's rim strips and sealer. I weigh 215 lbs and have been running them this way for years with no problems for the most part. I have occasionally run across a tire/rim combo that didn't work but overall I've had good luck.

 

[DoKarider16]

I have been running tubeless with a touch of Stan's for years, but if you are just getting back into it, I would stick with tubes for a while. Tires are cheaper and depending on the setup can be easier to change on the trail. If you find yourself riding a bunch then it might be worth the extra coin.

the other Craig

 

[Life_in_4Lo]

tubes. stans is good if you are shaving weight for racing but it's messy, dries up and becomes ineffective after awhile and is more maintence. if you blow a big hole, that crap sprays everywhere w/ your wheel spinning and isnt clothing friendly.

its a good tradeoff for racing but otherwise get some heavy duty tubes and tires and enjoy.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Thanks to everyone for all the input, lot of good point made.

After a bunch of reading, as of today I'm of thinking going with tubes and liners.
I have read a lot of mixed reviews on liners. It seems like a love or hate relationship with liners. What experience are the mountain bikers have with liners and what brand have you had the best luck with?

 

[Life_in_4Lo]

wouldnt do liners either. get thick, thorn resist tubes.

liners will slip and pinchflat your tubes, especially if you air down a lot. i think there are some better liners- i forget which as i just dont use them and have seen flats because of them.
but, if you are in serious thorn area, the liners might be worth it. i think tuffy liners? were good... i just cant remember the best brand

 

[ntsqd]

I used Tuffy liners in my townie. Lots of Goat's Heads in Chico, CA and I can recall only one flat from one with the liners. Dern thing went right through the tire & the liner, but it took Vice Grips to pull it out too. The liners seemed to stay put - nearly bonded to the tube, but obviously you don't normally air down a townie either....

Call me a curmudgeon, but tubeless has always seemed like a fad to me. I've ridden tubes since my BMX days well before it was known as "BMX".

 

[Christophe Noel]

I don't mind tubes, so that's what I run. Much of this is geographical. Guys in flat prone areas with lots of cacti and such often run tubeless with Stans. I'll probably go that route.

 

[tacollie]

I love stans. I would never use UST.

 

[Cackalak Han]

I've run tubes for 12+ years. Never owned a tubeless, so can't comment, but I can change a tube and patch it in lickity-split, so no big deal to me. I'm not a weight weenie, either, so the "extra weight" doesn't bother me. I've used Tuffy liners, slime, etc., but I seem to recall I got just as many flats and it was kind of a pain trying to reinsert them back in after a tire change. So, I'm riding "commando" now. Speaking of, haven't had a flat in a year!