Tubed or Tubeless, Which Bike Tyre is the Best?

Tubeless bike tyres created a lot of buzz in the market when they were first introduced. However, over the years these bike tyres have become fairly common, even replacing the tubed tyres in most cases. While the best tubeless tyres in the market come with their own set of benefits, many riders still prefer the old tube and tyre combo. So, which one is the best bike tyre, tubed or tubeless? To answer that, let’s try to understand the anatomy of these bike tyres.

Tubeless Bike Tyres

As the name signifies, these tyres are fitted without a tube in between the wheel and the tyre. The fit is airtight so air can be filled directly into the tyre. There are two types of tubeless bike tyres, bias-ply and radial.

• Bias-ply tubeless tyres are made from several layers of rubber that forms the sidewall as well as the crown. This type of tyres are prone to overheating at high speeds.

• Radial bike tyres allow the sidewall and the tread to function as independent features. These tyres offer more grip and run cooler.

If you wish to know more, we have an excellent piece on the difference between radial and bias-ply tyres. The rubber compound used in tubeless bike tyres is of medium-thick variety to enhance durability and mileage.

Advantages of tubeless bike tyres

• Highly durable bike tyres

• Low-maintenance bike tyres

• Puncture resistant bike tyres

• Can be ridden with a puncture

• Quick puncture repair

• Lightweight, offering better fuel efficiency

Disadvantages of tubeless bike tyres

• Cannot be repaired in case of heavy damage

Tube-type Bike Tyres

This type of bike tyres use a tube between the rim and the tyre for inflation. Tube-type bike tyres are made from softer rubber compounds and hence offer better grip. However, there are a couple of things you should know:

• The bonding between the tyre and the wheel is not air tight due to the presence of the tube.

• Forked wheels use tube-type bike tyres since the spokes can affect the tyre on rough patches. Here, the tube acts as a protective layer between the tyre and the wheel.

Advantages of tube-type bike tyres

• Good grip on the road

• Tube replacement can give new lease of life to the tyre

• Slightly less pricey than tubeless bike tyres

Disadvantages of tubeless bike tyres

• More prone to punctures

• Sudden loss of air when punctured

• High-maintenance as the tyre needs to be removed for tube repairs and replacement

• Heavier in weight, may reduce fuel efficiency

The Winner

In our opinion, tubeless tyres are the better option if you are looking for a new set of tyres for your bike or scooter. They offer hassle-free operation, are low-maintenance and nowadays every tyre shop nearby has the tools for repairing punctures on tubeless tyres.

Check out the best tubeless tyres for your bike at https://www.apollotyres.com/en-in/bike-scooter-tyres/find-a-tyre-bike-and-scooter-tyres/.