So, I have my eye on the Canyon Lux World Cup CFR Team mountain bike. I’m interested in mountain bikes that are light but versatile and designed for cross-country trails. The Lux World Cup CFR Team checks all of the boxes for a new bike, especially being light. Before riding road bikes, I was a mountain biker. So much technology has changed since I purchased my aluminum bike about 15 years ago. One change I love on my Canyon Ultimate SLX bike is tubeless tires. So far, I haven’t had a flat. Knock on wood 🙂
What Are Tubeless Tires?
Years ago, I was riding with a local cycling club. One of the riders got a flat but wasn’t worried. It was then I realized the power of sealant and small holes. It was a miracle how the sealant filled the hole.
A tubeless kit includes tubeless-ready tires, tubeless rims, sealant, valves, and rim tape. There are many videos on how to prepare a tubeless system. Still, to summarize, you complete the following steps:
- Line the rim bed with the tubeless tape
- Attach the valve stem to the tubeless rim by making a valve hole
- Attach three-quarters of the tire to the rim
- Pour in the tubeless sealant
- Attach the remaining quarter of the tire using tire levers if necessary
- Seat and inflate until the tire beads make an airtight seal
- After a good seal is achieved, shake the wheel and distribute the sealant inside of the tire.
You can also inject the liquid sealant into the tire when it’s fully attached to the rim through the valve stem.
The only downside is setting up a tubeless system to the time and tools. Fortunately, the tubeless system should last you a lot longer than tubed tires. My goal is to give you a quick background on tubeless tires so you can decide if you’re ready to make the transition.
Why Switch to Tubeless Tires?
Fewer Flats
As mentioned before, the rim sealant can magically fill in small punctures. You have to love almost eliminating flat tires. However, if you get a larger hole, you must go old school and use an inner tube on the fly. Fewer punctures make the ride much more enjoyable.
Lower Air Pressures
Lower pressures are required to inflate your tubeless system. The major benefit is comfort. I can attest to the comfort. Not too long ago, the Blue Ridge Parkway near my house was paved with a rough surface. I’ve been very thankful to use a tubeless system that reduces my teeth chattering by not riding at high pressure. Experiencing the comfort on the road makes me quite excited to try a tubeless system on the rocky trails. As a bonus, you don’t have to worry about pinching the tube and getting pinch flats.
Lower Rolling Resistance
Speaking about rocky trails, a tubeless system reduces the rolling resistance and improves the ride quality. If a tire has an inner tube filled with higher tire pressure, it will bounce off rough surfaces. A tire with lower pressure will have better traction over rugged terrain, give you a better grip, and a smoother ride.
Weight Savings
I’m somewhat of a weight weenie but also cost-conscious. The Canyon Lux World Cup CFR Team is about 22 lbs. It a very light for a mountain bike! I plan to ride some gravel in addition to the trails, but I don’t want to purchase a gravel bike. Gravel bikes look like a lot of fun, but I like to keep my life minimal. The Lux is costly but worth it if it can fulfill multiple purposes. That said, the lack of an inner tube is less weight.
Are you sold on a tubeless setup? I’m a big fan and can’t wait to ride tubeless mountain bike tires on the trails.