Tubeless bike tyres

Classic tubeless (UST by Mavic, or similar standard) is inherently airtight: waterproof casing, specific beads, no need for sealant. Tubeless Ready (TLR) has tubeless-compatible beads but non-airtight sidewalls: sealant is mandatory during fitting to ensure airtightness. TLR is lighter than classic tubeless and offers better performance and comfort thanks to its more flexible sidewalls. On the road in 2025–2026, TLR is the dominant standard, with UST tubeless having become marginal.

Not strictly necessary, but it is strongly recommended. Fitting a tubeless tyre requires a rapid and powerful flow of air to snap the tyre beads into the rim grooves. A high-pressure foot pump with a built-in inflation chamber (such as the Lezyne Pressure Drive or Topeak JoeBlow Booster) allows you to fit most tyre/rim combinations without a compressor. Combinations of very stiff tyres (e.g. Continental GP5000 STR) and narrow rims may require a compressor. The first thing to do before buying: check user reviews of your intended tyre/rim combination on specialist forums.

The cleanest method: remove the valve, suck out the old sealant using a dedicated syringe (Stans NoTubes Injector or equivalent), then inject the new sealant directly through the valve. This takes 5 minutes and avoids having to remove the tyre. If the sealant is too dry (impossible to suck out), you will need to partially remove the tyre to clean the inside with hot water. Allow 30 to 45 ml of fresh sealant for a 25–28 mm road tyre. Replace every 2 to 3 months with intensive use, or as soon as a persistent leak appears.

No. A tubeless-ready or tubeless rim is essential (sealed centre groove, specific retention lips, suitable rim base). A standard tube-type rim can be converted to tubeless-ready using a conversion kit (special adhesive rim tape + valve), but this is only a rough solution and is not recommended for rims with pronounced hooks. Tyre/rim compatibility also depends on the internal width: check the tyre manufacturer’s ETRTO recommendations. Fitting a TLR tubeless tyre to an incompatible rim risks the tyre coming off the rim on descents.

Independent measurements (bicyclerollingresistance. com, CyclingTips) put the saving at between 1 and 3 watts per tyre at 40 km/h, depending on the model and pressure. For a pair, this represents a saving of 2 to 6 watts. This is comparable to the gain from a pair of aerodynamic carbon wheels costing €1,500. For an intermediate-level cyclist, this is one of the best returns on investment in terms of performance per euro spent. The gain in comfort and safety is an added bonus; it is difficult to quantify but very real on long rides.

Yes, but there are two points to bear in mind. The sealant freezes below 0°C: use sealants formulated for low temperatures (Muc-Off Winter Sealant, Effetto Caffélatex Winter) in cold regions. In wet weather, tubeless tyres offer slightly better grip than tube-type tyres thanks to the lower pressure that can be used. However, winter roads full of gravel and loose tarmac put greater strain on the sealant: top up the sealant more frequently (every 6 weeks during intensive winter use). For a winter training wheel, a puncture-resistant tube tyre remains a valid alternative.

If the sealant does not seal the leak within 30 seconds (spin the wheel; the sealant must reach the puncture), insert a tubeless repair plug using the appropriate tool (Dynaplug, Muc-Off, Stan’s) without even removing the tyre. This rubber plug seals the puncture and allows you to continue riding. If the cut is too large or on the sidewall, switch to a spare inner tube as you would with a conventional tubetype tyre. The tubeless repair kit (plugs + tool) is a convenient alternative to carrying a spare inner tube in your saddle bag.

The Continental GP5000 STR (Schlauch-los, Tubeless Ready) remains the benchmark for measured rolling resistance, at around 10 watts at 30 km/h. The Vittoria Corsa Pro TLR follows closely behind with a very supple cotton casing and excellent grip. The Schwalbe One TLE stands out for its durability. For training/cyclosportive use with good protection, the Pirelli P Zero Race TLR or the Michelin Power All-Season TLR are solid choices. The market has changed significantly since 2023: the former performance gaps between brands have narrowed, and the price/durability factor counts just as much as pure rolling resistance.

This is not an issue for road bikes in the strict sense. However, a 700C tubeless road tyre is not compatible with an e-bike using a different standard (26-inch or 27.5-inch tyres, common on urban e-bikes and mountain bikes). On an electric road bike (such as the Trek Domane+ or Specialized Creo), standard 700C tubeless tyres are compatible, provided the pressures and dimensions recommended by the bike manufacturer are adhered to, which are sometimes more restrictive to protect the motor and battery.