Tubeless repairs

[JoeBlow]

Is it worth carrying a spare inner tube AND a tubeless repair kit? Or is that overkill? If I only carried one or the other which one should it be? My brain says inner tube. I'm trying to cut down on gear on shorter rides e.g. 2-3 hours around home and at bike parks. On a long cross country there is no question I would carry a pack. I'm very tempted to carry neither as I haven't had any flats since I went tubeless 18 months ago.

Al

 

[Mteam]

I'd always carry at least one or the other, I wouldnt go without either - unless it was a very short ride.

I only carry a set of tubeless anchovies/plugs and some co2 for most rides . I dont take tubes or tyre levers unless I'm on a long ride in which case I carry them in my back pack. I've only had one puncture in the 3 years Ive only been carrying tubeless plugs, and the tubeless plugs fixed the puncture very quickly and with no hassle. The usual group I ride with have had a few punctures over that time and again tubeless plugs are all that have been needed to fix the punctures.

 

[Tim1023]

Is it worth carrying a spare inner tube AND a tubeless repair kit? Or is that overkill? If I only carried one or the other which one should it be? My brain says inner tube. I'm trying to cut down on gear on shorter rides e.g. 2-3 hours around home and at bike parks. On a long cross country there is no question I would carry a pack. I'm very tempted to carry neither as I haven't had any flats since I went tubeless 18 months ago.

Al

I've also never had a problem, but tubeless repair kit weighs next to nothing and takes up hardly any space, so for me it's a no brainer in any case

 

[flash]

I take both. Plugs wont help a torn side wall. I have a tiny Tubilito wedged under the seat and a few plugs and plug tool on my EDC tool in the stem. The smaller EDC pump and a 25gram CO2 are strapped to the battery.

I've needed the tube once in two years. Stopped a 5km walk bact to the car.

Gordon

 

[p3eps]

I’ve been running tubeless tyres for nearly 4 years, and always carried a tube, C02 and levers in my SWAT box on my Stumpy. In that time, I’ve never had a puncture - other than pulling a nail out in my driveway and it hissing for a few seconds and plugging itself!

When I changed to an eMTB, I lost the SWAT box, and for short ‘local’ rides, I wouldn’t carry anything.
During lockdown I was about 5 miles from my house one evening, when I slit my tyre. I did have a mini pump, but it wasn’t enough - and the tyre just kept going down within seconds of inflating. The slit was about 1.5cm, and too big to seal.

Thankfully I managed to get someone to collect me and my bike... as I’d have probably spent about 2 hours walking home, and it would have been pitch black by the time I got home (just in a T-shirt!).

Since then, I bought the Stans dart tool, and carry a small tool kit in my hydration pack. For longer rides (where I’m going to end up more than about 5 miles from home / car) I take a spare tube in my pack as well.

 

[apac]

Is it worth carrying a spare inner tube AND a tubeless repair kit? Or is that overkill? If I only carried one or the other which one should it be? My brain says inner tube. I'm trying to cut down on gear on shorter rides e.g. 2-3 hours around home and at bike parks. On a long cross country there is no question I would carry a pack. I'm very tempted to carry neither as I haven't had any flats since I went tubeless 18 months ago.

Al

In my opinion trying to take off a tubeless tyre that has seated onto the rim whilst out on a trail would be a right royal PITA. If you are carrying a tube I hope you are well practised removing tubeless tyres.

 

[JoeBlow]

In my opinion trying to take off a tubeless tyre that has seated onto the rim whilst out on a trail would be a right royal PITA. If you are carrying a tube I hope you are well practised removing tubeless tyres.

No never done it. Thanks for the heads up. I've ordered one of those "Tubolitos". A 29" inner tube is a PITA to pack and carry hence the original question. I was looking for confirmation that I did not need to, at least on shorter outings.

 

[apac]

No never done it. Thanks for the heads up. I've ordered one of those "Tubolitos". A 29" inner tube is a PITA to pack and carry hence the original question. I was looking for confirmation that I did not need to, at least on shorter outings.

they can be a nightmare trying to release them from the rim and then even trying to get a tyre lever under the bead is a challenge. If you are venturing into the middle of nowhere, for sure take a tube, three levers, and some co2 or pump.
if running tubeless best way to avoid puncture is to make sure you have good pressures in your tyres, especially the rear. I'm no expert but high pressures in tyres should stop rips/pinches in the side walls.

 

[JoeBlow]

Yes, I have to agree with your logic. If I were venturing out into the Brecon Beacons for example it's a no brainer. I've been a mountaineer for many years and fully acknowledge the danger always present in mountains. On a trip like that where I would feel the need to take more clothes and more food and liquid I would consider a back pack essential and under those circumstances you might just as well carry an inner tube or even two as well as other bike spares. What sort of pressures are you thinking of? I tend to run 26 in the rear and 24 in the front most of the time.

Al

 

[apac]

Yes, I have to agree with your logic. If I were venturing out into the Brecon Beacons for example it's a no brainer. I've been a mountaineer for many years and fully acknowledge the danger always present in mountains. On a trip like that where I would feel the need to take more clothes and more food and liquid I would consider a back pack essential and under those circumstances you might just as well carry an inner tube or even two as well as other bike spares. What sort of pressures are you thinking of? I tend to run 26 in the rear and 24 in the front most of the time.

Al

your tyre pressures sound similar to mine. Some people run 20psi or less and wonder why they get pinch flats. Overall punctures are rare with tubeless tyres. Just make sure there is some sealant rolling around inside the tyres. Anyway, it's sounds like you know what you are doing, I'm no expert and have no business telling others right from wrong, but it's good to compare notes... I tend to ride alone so having this forum is a great learning Platform.

 

[Gary]

they can be a nightmare trying to release them from the rim and then even trying to get a tyre lever under the bead is a challenge.

Your tyre casing/bead is only bonded to the rim by tubeless sealant.
Taking a tubeless mtb tyre off a tubeless rim is usually not difficult at all if done properly. And if done properly you rarely need a tyre lever at all.
First break the bead around the entire rim. by pushing it inwards next to the rim edge. with a stubborn/bonded bead, once you break one section away from the rim the rest is easy.
next push the bead into the centre well of the rim all the way around. doing this leaves slack in the bead allowing you to slide the top of the bead over the rim edge with just your thumbs.
The one contradiction to this rule is if your rim does not have a concave rim bead or if the concave is filled with too much tape.

if running tubeless best way to avoid puncture is to make sure you have good pressures in your tyres, especially the rear. I'm no expert but high pressures in tyres should stop rips/pinches in the side walls.

higher pressures won't avoid punctures or rips completely. but it'll almost eliminate pinched casing punctures/rips and the added sidewall support will mean your tyre casing is more likely to "glance" obsticles than deform which does have a different outcome when taking a sharp impact. for this same reason dual and 4 ply casings behave differently to single ply casings and give far more support at lower pressures. with the added bonus of the thicker casing being far more resiliant to cuts/punctures in the first place. With the main downside being increased weight, rolling resistance and a reduction in suppleness.

One other downside of running higher pressures tubeless is that sealant alone will not always plug small holes as the high pressure will re-open the hole. Because of this I always carry a tube for any punctures sealant alone won't seal up and repair tyres later at home with automotive patches and vulcanising solution applied to the inside of the tyre.
I run 55psi in a 2.3 rear tyre though. so way higher pressure than considered the norm.

24psi in a rear mtb tyre is not high, Far from it

 

[paquo]

i got a tear in the tread the other day about 2 inches long, it was weird all the air blew out instantly , not a chance of the sealant working. I ended up walking about a mile home even though i had a tube, i wasn't sure if
a tube would work. I added this to the kit, park tool tb2 emergency tire boot

.

 

[Gary]

Yeah. I carry one of those too.
a gel/chocolate bar wrapper folded will do the same job to get you home in a fix.

 

[steve_sordy]

I take all the kit. They are my talisman. I just KNOW that as soon as I leave a bit behind that will be the bit I need on that very ride.

 

[mak]

I take all the kit. They are my talisman. I just KNOW that as soon as I leave a bit behind that will be the bit I need on that very ride.

I take it all to, inner tube/ darts/ co2 pump the lot, after a 7 mile walk home once it sort of hammers it home. To be honest if i do get a puncture while out i cant see my hand pump or co2 cartridge inflating the tubeless set up if the bead brakes but I guess one day I will find out the answer.

Its a pleasure to do at home, very satisfying popping the tire beads on with the discharge canister and all the correct kit, the stuff of nightmares in the middle of nowhere covered in shit with limited tools lol