Mountain Bike Tires - Inner Tubes or Tubeless?

The type of tires you use on your bike depends on its usage. Mountain bikes can be ridden on many different terrains and for different activities. You need different skills as well as different tires for many of these. If you pick the right mountain bike tires they will help your riding and make it safer.

Tires either have an inner tube that keeps them inflated or they are tubeless, but which one sort should you choose?

Most tubeless tires have a tough sidewall that locks into a sealed-bed rim. This kind of tires are hardy enough for rough terrain so they are good for downhill riding but they are expensive.

The advantages of an airtight seal and a stable, puncture-resistant, low-pressure performance are balanced out by the high price. You also need a clean rim and tire to fit them, along with a big pump to inflate them.

If a tire has to be replaced on a trail clean conditions are usually unavailable. Even with a CO2 cartridge pump you'll probably have to use an inner tube to get you home, where you can the repair the tire. Although large holes can mean the tire has to be written off, even though small holes can often be fixed.

Tubeless tires are also heavier, so if fast start times and riding speeds are required, pick a lighter tire. Tires with inner tubes are usually lighter and offer greater flexibility. They are available in more designs and tread styles, so finding the right one for your riding style might be easier as well.

You can now get kits to convert a conventional tire with an inner tube to a tubeless tire. These combine a latex-based filling liquid and a rubber rim strip to seal the inside of the tire and rim. You will probably have to top off the filler now and then, but the cost is still much less than a standard thick wall tubeless tire.

You still get most of the low pressure advantages of a tubeless tire but with a much bigger choice of rims and treads, and with only the initial kit cost and latex top-ups to pay for. They are also lighter although the same repair problems on the trail apply unfortunately.

Whatever tire you go for it is vital to replace them regularly. A blow out can cause injury and cost competitions. With the right selection and maintenance your tires will make a huge difference to your riding.