Sorry to be a pain but let's talk tires

[Nettar]

Okay, I get it that tubed tires are more likely to blow out than tubeless ones. Is that also true of tubeless tires on two part rims with a tube in them?
I've never had a convayence with ten inch wheels before and the idea of a bolowout is not uplifting.
+ Is a tubeless tire with a tube in it more reliable than a tire that is made to work with a tube?
+ Should I go the whole nine yards and get new rims so I can use tubeless tires without tubes?
+ Should I just stop worrying and enjoy the ride?
Inquiring minds want to know.
Thanks for your help.

[az_slynch]

For purposes of clarification, I'd say that the difference between a tube-type tire and a tubeless tire is that the former tends to go flat more quickly than the latter. The tube may have a blowout, but the tube tire is generally serviceable afterwards.

The biggest trick in making a tubeless tire work is having a rim that the tire can properly bead onto. The old split-type runs are not able to bead a tubeless tire properly (gap between the rim halves aside).

If you seek the added piece of mind of running tubeless tires on your Stella, pony up for tubeless rims and know that it's designed to work.

[Robbie]

Lots of opinions and past experience.

I run the tubes on stock rims.
Several of my machines are tube type....74 CB-550, 01 W-650, 86 Spree, 76 CT-90, 93 CT-70, and now, the Stella.

In general, a tube type doesn't blow out if punctured but you have very little time to get it hauled down before it goes flat.....and, once it goes flat it wants to de-bead off the rim.
If you are still rolling at that time the machine really wants to go down as it will yaw left and right violently.

A tubless tire can/will blow out if it is very worn and a puncture occurs, but when in serviceable condition, will tend to hold the item that caused the puncture.
This gives you more time to haul it down as the machines handling degrades a bit slower, and, as mentioned earlier, the tire bead generally will be retained on the rim.
So, even flat, you have a bit more control.

A tube puncture can often be repaired on site......a blowout of a tubless tire is just that.....stick a fork in it, it's done....but, a simple puncture can be plugged with no disassembly when it is a tubless tire.

There really is no 'cut and dried' answer......your decision will be based on what you think your capabilities are.

I have minimal concern running the original tube type design.....but that may be because I don't let a tire get below 3/32nds of remaining tread depth before it gets replaced......this may be why I've only had one flat in over fifty years of riding.

Hope I didn't jinx myself with that comment.

Good luck with your decision.

Rob

[ericalm]

For purposes of clarification, I'd say that the difference between a tube-type tire and a tubeless tire is that the former tends to go flat more quickly than the latter. The tube may have a blowout, but the tube tire is generally serviceable afterwards.

It's quite easy to plug a tubeless tire and the plugs can last the duration of the tire's life if done well. I have plugged two car tires this way. A plug kit runs around $6-$12. However, it won't work with all punctures. Go through the sidewall and you're out of luck.

I had a long wood screw go diagonally through a (Michelin) tubeless tire, puncturing it twice—once in the tread, once in the sidewall—and it still lost air slowly, even though I had a passenger.

The Stella, well, there's a reason it comes with a spare!