i mean i have 25s and 32s tubeless, no issues, but then they are both designed (according to schwalbe) for tubeless use YMMV based on brand and tire.
as for patches, mtn bike tires i will patch if the hole is in an easy to patch spot, road bike id toss if i got a big enough puncture that sealant wouldnt seal it. (cant say with tubes, as i havent run into that(
No not for a road tire that’s 25mm. Too high of PSI to take a chance.
even with tubes to me it’s just not worth the increased risk of going flat on a fast downhill. And then it’s in my head the tire has a patch that might fail.
I have new tires on order (again) but for now I have some strips of duct tape on the inside from when I did the roadside repair and this morning I filled in the hole with fingernail glue and then rubber cement. It’s good enough for some short midweek rides for now. Todays 22 mile ride was fine.
View attachment 244762
My experience includes Bonty tires from 4-5 years ago (these are in the vreeland "actually tubeless era"), Schwalbes, Vittorias, and now 5000s. The only ones that I would "trust" tubeless were the old Bonty tires that had real structure (and they patched great when a hole was too big). New GPs leak immediately. They'll seal up, but get a puncture, good luck. The tip-top Vittorias are no different than their old tube-only cotton tires, just with a swipe of latex on the outside and a different bead shape. They also seal (eventually) when new, but leak like sieves when punctured. They grip like absolute mad, but just stick a tube in (and then, just buy the ones that aren't tubeless compatible that are cheaper).
I noticed the change with the Schwalbes. One flatted right away on a ride [it happens, right?] except, sealant didn't work, and plugs didn't actually hold. What's the point of adding sealant, if you just need to dump it out when you get a flat? I had one flat that I had evidence of that sealed on those narrow tires, and...did it matter if it was one in 3-4 years of riding?
Rema makes several "bicycle" patches, including reinforced ones. They're the ones I use for patching road tires.
IMO, I stick by my earlier statement. If you've got a wide tire, go nuts. Tubeless is fucking great, and will stop everything. If it's narrow...you've only got a limited amount of time before your sealant fails, and you need to throw a tube in anyway. Does it matter in the end? Carrying two or three ultralight tubes on a long ride, vs. a single tube, plugs, and/or extra sealant?
cycling.hutchinson.com
