To tube or to tubeless?
What are the considerations to go tubeless?
When I got my bike in 2019 I noticed this tiny little sticker on the rim of my front wheel. It says “Tubeless Ready.” Since I had purchased the bike sight unseen and started the first half of my Route 66 ride when I picked it up in Chicago, and as someone who is only moderately comfortable with my bike and all the surrounding gear, see post about new cycling shorts, I completely disregarded it. Note, I only got two flats the entire time on the first half.
Fast forward to 2025. Intrigued by the sticker and a suggestion from a friend, I’m looking into changing things up this time around. Since riding 1,200 miles across mountains and desert on a somewhat deserted road will be demanding, given the long days, mixed road quality, and remote stretches; reliability and dependability matter as much as performance. My considerations are:
Road conditions: Route 66 has notoriously rough asphalt, chipseal, and debris (wires, glass, goatheads in the desert)
Remoteness: Some stretches are far from shops—repairs need to be self-sufficient.
Distance & Duration: I’ll be on the bike for weeks; minimizing time spent fixing flats is valuable.
Load: I’ll have at least 15-20lbs worth or gear and water
The argument for tubeless is that there will be fewer flats, no pinch flats (when hitting potholes or cracks with weights), and being able to ride with lower tire pressure. The last time around both my flats were egregious punctures so I’m less worried about pinch flats. The downsides are that I’d need to bring extra sealant and a plug kit. If there is a big puncture, it would create a big messy sealant leak AND I’d need an inner tube and pump any way. Finally, I’d have to learn, test, implement this new system before I leave. Apparently installing a tubeless tire requires some professional consultation (ahem, youtube). And in hot weather the sealant dries out faster requiring inspection and additional sealant every one or two months as opposed to 3-6months.
Since I am going to replace my old tires, Continental Gatorskins, any way, my plan is to get the Schwalbe Marathon Almotion TLE which was specifically designed for touring with tubeless or the Marathon Efficiency TLE in a 28mm. I’ll test these on a few local rides and if I like it, I’ll stick with the tubeless. During my ride, I’ll take a hybrid approach and carry sealant, inner tubes, and a pump. This doesn’t help me minimize the necessary gear but it might help me avoid the inconvenience of changing a flat tire in the sweltering heat of the desert.
Gear List
What's necessary and what's a luxury?
Gear from 2019 Chicago - Amarillo ride. Not pictured: three bike bags & my phone.
When you’re carrying everything, you learn to only bring what is absolutely necessary. I learned this the hard way while hiking to Everest Base Camp in Nepal a few years ago. I’ve always lived at sea level so the trek to around 17,000ft became laborious due to the elevation. My pack weighed 28lbs and that didn’t even include a tent or cooking gear. In my defense, it was my first time backpacking on my own. (Why would you choose Everest Base Camp as your first backpacking experience? Go big or go home as my Texan brethren would say). When I embarked on the Annapurna Circuit a few weeks later, my pack was a spry 12lbs.
Pictured above is what I brought on the ride in 2019. Pictured below is what it looks like when I first start out coming fresh off the plane.
Here is the full list from 2019*:
On the Bike: seat post bag, frame bag, handle bar bag, water bottles (2), front light, tail light, phone holder
Tools: phone + charger, headphones, pump, multi-tool, tire levers, inner tubes (2)
Riding: sunglasses, helmet, cycling shoes, gloves, Garmin watch + charger, underwear, sports bra, Pearl Izumi Sugar 5in shorts, jersey, socks, rain jacket, buff
Resting: glasses, ballet flats, underwear, bralette, yoga pants, long sleeve shirt, puffy, neck gaiter
First Aid: Ibuprofen, bandaids, dermabond
Toiletries: comb, conditioner, face lotion, tooth brush / paste, sunscreen, lip balm, nail clipper
Other: wooden spoon, small laundry detergent, battery pack, electrolyte tablets, razor
Changes for 2025:
There aren’t many changes, because you don’t need much when all you’re doing is biking from dawn until dusk. Also, why did I bring a wooden spoon? Changes? For starters, I’ll most likely cut the entire “other” category. I’m toying with the idea of replacing my glasses/sunglasses/headphones with a pair of Ray Ban Meta smart glasses, but still debating since they are known to slide down your nose — alot. Additions: Selfie stick, shotgun mic, long sleeve shirt, riding hat, detergent bar. I’m also going to try out a set of women’s specific Terry Cycling high rise shorts. However, at $130, they better be like sitting on a cloud compared to my $40 Pearl Izumis.
*These are not sponsored links and I do not get any kickbacks for them. They are here so you can get a sense of what I used and a convenient link if you want to buy them.