Punctures remain one of the most frequent problems for both road cyclists and gravel riders. This is why many cyclists sooner or later turn to tubeless tires, which reduce the risk of sudden pressure loss and allow for more serene riding over long distances.
However, switching to tubeless raises many questions. Is this system really reliable? Is it difficult to install yourself? And what should you do when a tire starts to lose pressure?
In this article, the experts at the Routes and Roads bike shop and workshop explain how tubeless tires work, the advantages of installing them, and situations where it’s best to entrust the installation or repair to a specialized workshop.
Table of contents:
What is a tubeless tire?
How to install your tubeless tires
Possible problems during home installation
When to go to the workshop
What damage can be repaired
Conclusion
What is a tubeless tire?
Tubeless tires are designed to work without a traditional inner tube. The air remains in the space formed by the tire and the rim, while sealing is ensured by the combination of a compatible rim, a compatible tire, a tubeless valve, tubeless rim tape, and sealant.
Sealant is a liquid product inside the tire that helps to seal small punctures during a ride. When a small sharp object penetrates the tread, the liquid escapes through the hole and often manages to plug it before the cyclist even notices the problem.
Tubeless sealant automatically seals small punctures.
In fact, tubeless offers several advantages: fewer punctures, the ability to ride at lower pressures, better traction on difficult terrain, and more comfort. On a gravel bike, these benefits are particularly noticeable on dirt roads, forest trails, and degraded roads. On a road bike, tubeless can also be very interesting, especially with current wider section tires, where comfort and stability fully contribute to performance.
Moreover, the tubeless system allows for the use of lower pressures without the risk of pinch flats and reduces the risk of sudden pressure loss caused by small punctures during a ride.
How to install your tubeless tires
At first glance, installing tubeless tires seems quite simple. You need a compatible tubeless-ready rim, a tubeless-ready tire, a tubeless valve, appropriate rim tape, sealant, and a good pump. A floor pump can sometimes be sufficient, but in many cases, using a compressor or a booster pump facilitates the rapid seating of the tire beads on the rim edges.
It is precisely at this stage that many discover that a tubeless system relies on the simultaneous proper functioning of several components. If even one element is poorly installed, the tire can lose pressure, and it is not always easy to quickly identify the cause.
Therefore, installing tubeless tires at home is entirely possible, but it requires precision, compatible components, and a good understanding of where leaks most often occur.
Tubeless tire installation requires precision.
Possible problems during home installation
Tire not seating
This is the most common situation. You inflate the tire, the air escapes, and the tire does not seat correctly on the rim. This is usually due to insufficient airflow during inflation, an incompatibility between the rim and tire, or incorrect bead positioning before inflation.
Tire not holding pressure
Another common problem is a tire that does not hold air pressure. The cause can come from the rim tape, the valve, improper tire positioning, or even micro-porosities in the sidewalls. On the outside, everything seems correct, but despite this, air continues to escape.
If the tire isn't holding pressure, a mechanic's opinion may be necessary.
Leak at the valve
It also happens that a leak appears at the valve. The cyclist often thinks the valve is responsible, when in reality, air can pass under the rim tape and then escape in the valve area. Without a precise diagnosis, it is sometimes difficult to identify the exact origin of the problem.
Sealant not working
It also happens that the sealant does not ensure a complete seal of the system. This does not necessarily mean that it is of poor quality. In some cases, the puncture is too large, the tire sidewall is damaged, or there is almost no active product left inside.
Difficult to identify the source of the problem
The main difficulty is that most problems do not concern only the tire, but the entire tubeless system. This is why a complete diagnosis is often more effective than replacing a single component.
A diagnosis at a reliable bike shop helps identify the origin of the problem.
When to go to the workshop
Some cyclists successfully install their tubeless system at home. However, if the tire refuses to seat on the rim, if it doesn't hold pressure, or if the source of the leak remains unknown, it's best to consult a bike workshop.
The Routes and Roads workshop provides bike maintenance and repair services in Paris and also assists cyclists with tubeless system installation and diagnosis. At Routes and Roads, it's possible to check component compatibility, the condition of the rim tape, valves, and tires, as well as identify the causes of pressure loss after a home installation.
For cyclists in Paris and the Île-de-France region, this approach often resolves the problem more quickly and avoids numerous unsuccessful adjustment attempts. Instead of searching for a leak through trial and error, the bike receives a complete diagnosis, and the tubeless system can function reliably and durably from the first rides.
What damage can be repaired
Puncture not sealed by sealant
Small tread punctures can often be repaired without replacing the tire. If the puncture is too large to be sealed by the sealant, a tubeless tire repair using specific solutions may be necessary.
Damaged sidewall
The tire sidewall is subjected to significant stress, which is why damage to it requires special attention. In some cases, a repair is possible, but when the sidewall is too damaged, replacing the tire remains the safest solution.
Dried-out sealant
Over time, sealant loses its effectiveness and can no longer properly seal small punctures. The system may appear to be working normally, but its protective capabilities significantly diminish.
Worn or damaged rim tape
If the rim tape is damaged, displaced, or no longer provides sufficient sealing, air can escape inside the rim and then exit through the spoke holes or the valve. In this situation, replacing the rim tape often completely resolves the problem.
If the tire isn't holding pressure, a faulty valve could be the cause.
Defective valve
Pressure loss can sometimes be caused by the valve itself. The problem can come from both the valve core and its base, which no longer guarantees a perfect seal against the rim.
Slow pressure loss
One of the most frequent reasons for consultation at a workshop is a tire that gradually deflates without any visible damage. In this case, it is important to check the entire system: the condition of the tire, the sealant, the valve, and the rim tape. A complete diagnosis typically identifies the precise origin of the problem.
Conclusion
Tubeless tires can make cycling more comfortable and reliable. However, the proper functioning of a tubeless system depends not only on the quality of the tire but also on careful installation, good sealing, and regular maintenance.
If your tire isn't holding pressure after a home installation or if you want to switch to tubeless without experimenting yourself, the specialists at Routes and Roads can help you determine the problem, check component compatibility, and prepare your bike for rides in Paris, Île-de-France, and on French roads.
