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.