Many mass-segment motorcycles today are fitted with tubeless bike tyres. While motorists prefer tubeless tyres, it is also a rising trend in the aftermarket. This is simply because they offer more value and practicality over tube tyres.
But before we begin to compare the contemporary tubeless bike tyre and the conventional tube tyres, let's first understand the difference between the two.
The tube-type tyre is made of two components: the tyre and the tube. The tube, which is inside the casing, is blown up to hold the air pressure. This tyre is mostly used in spoked wheels where there is no scope of direct air loss.
In tubeless tyres, well, the tube is absent, and the air is filled between the rim and tyre. There is an airtight seal between the two which does not allow any air to pass. These modern engineered tyres mostly come with an alloy wheel setup. This allows for a superior air-hold over an extended period. Radial and bias-ply are the two kinds of tyres found in this category.
Now that we know the difference between the tube-type and tubeless tyre, let's look at the benefits of the tubeless bike tyre:
• Resistant to punctures
→ No tyre, even the best quality ones, can go puncture-free on the tough Indian roads. But, the tubeless bike tyre has a solid body structure and an advanced compound that makes it hard for sharp objects to pierce the surface.
So compared to the tube-type tyres which can leak air even with a single prick, the tubeless bike tyres offer considerable resistance against smaller injuries.
• Quick action by liquid sealant
→ The best tubeless tyres today come equipped with a liquid sealant to self-help the tyre. Suppose an object pierces your tyre. The sealant is released automatically into the hole, dries up and seals the damaged area all by itself. This buys you the buffer time needed to get to a tyre shop nearby to get it fixed. Think about it like a superhero who heals himself instantly after a bullet injury.
→ In case of minor cuts, you may not even need any repairs.
• Runs on lower pressure
→ Even after a puncture, the tubeless tyre continues to run on low tyre pressure.
• Gradual air escape
A tube-type tyre is just like an inflated balloon. One little prick can make it go completely flat in an instant. The tubeless bike tyre, on the other hand, loses air gradually. Hence, in the event of a puncture, it gives the rider enough time to pull over to safety or get to a tyre shop nearby for professional assistance.
• Easy repair
→ It is improbable that your tubeless tyre will suffer a significant injury. Yet, in case of an emergency, you can repair a punctured tubeless bike tyre yourself. All you need is a puncture repair kit, which you can buy online and keep in the car for emergencies.
• More fuel savings
→ The tubeless bike tyre consists of a single component setup. This means that it weighs less than the paired component setup of a tube-type tyre.
→ The reduced load and consequently, the reduced strain on the engine, empower you with more miles in the same amount of fuel.
• Cooler running, more life
→ There is no friction between the tube and the inner surface of the tyre in the tubeless setup. This means your tyre doesn't generate a lot of heat which, in turn, increases safety concerns. How? Because with limited heat generation, the chances of a tyre blowout get reduced by a large margin.
→ Friction is also the leading cause of premature wear in tube-type tyres. But since there is no friction in the tubeless bike tyre, they enjoy a much longer life.
• Better stability
→ The tubeless tyre holds air between the rim and the tyre. This translates into better high-speed stability, and reduces the chances of wobble.
And price-wise, despite being the better and smarter cousin, tubeless tyre prices don’t burn a hole in your pocket. The long-term benefits of tubeless tyres make them totally worth the marginally higher prices.
Can your bike run on tubeless tyres? If yes, then you should definitely make the switch from the tube-type to the tubeless format. Search for the "best tubeless tyre" on your browser to scan and compare options. Or read more about tubeless tyres online before you make the switch.
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