Anyone set on not going tubeless?

[c0nsumer]

Initially I struggled to get my tubeless set up working, but it is definitely worth the fuss for me. I have really come to like the low rolling resistance and low pressure setup. It has made me undeniably faster cornering and maintaining speed around the trail.
I was getting the occasional pinch flat (maybe 6-8 a year) hanging up or getting out of rhythm on rocks or roots. Now its basically a non issue after going tubeless (I have flatted a rim or two).
If youre a fast enough rider where more grip around the trail would be something you'd use. You're holding yourself back with tubes.

This pretty much echos what I found. I've been set up with tubeless for about a month now, and it's just... nicer. I'm still curious about how it'll be long term, but for now I'm sticking with it.

[LuckyCharm4x4]

Initially I struggled to get my tubeless set up working, but it is definitely worth the fuss for me. I have really come to like the low rolling resistance and low pressure setup. It has made me undeniably faster cornering and maintaining speed around the trail.
I was getting the occasional pinch flat (maybe 6-8 a year) hanging up or getting out of rhythm on rocks or roots. Now its basically a non issue after going tubeless (I have flatted a rim or two).
If youre a fast enough rider where more grip around the trail would be something you'd use. You're holding yourself back with tubes.

This pretty much echos what I found. I've been set up with tubeless for about a month now, and it's just... nicer. I'm still curious about how it'll be long term, but for now I'm sticking with it.

X3

[Mack]

Wow!! six pages and still going. Impreesive.

[Critter7r]

is there a difference in tire construction between tires meant to be ran with tubes and tubeless tires? Because if the tubeless tires don't inherently have stiffer sidewalls (or something), then I'm not understanding the whole "low rolling resistance and low pressure" thing. Other things being equal, removing the tube and putting in Stans doesn't magically reduce the rolling resistance of a tire that has low pressure. (Hipton, you're not the first I've heard use that statement, just the latest, so I'm not trying to single you out).

For me, tubeless is the answer to a question that I feel I don't need to ask. I'm not a low-tire-pressure rider to begin with (I guess being an XC rider -as opposed to DH or Freeriding- and the FS probably helps too) and I've never really had an issue with getting flats in other ways. I'm already a pretty fast rider and I don't feel that not having enough grip available is holding me back.

Besides, I ride flat pedals.

[Di_bear]

I'm not a low-tire-pressure rider to begin with (I guess being an XC rider -as opposed to DH or Freeriding- and the FS probably helps too) and I've never really had an issue with getting flats in other ways.

Same here. I just don't need to run pressure ridiculously lower than the minimum for the tire.

I'm already a pretty fast rider and I don't feel that not having enough grip available is holding me back.

Besides, I ride flat pedals.

Someone mentioned grip to me the other day--it might have even been at the Tree Farm last night, and I just dismissed it. The problem I have with loose, rocky climbs is the fact that they're climbs. As far as the loose, rocky part goes, I just adjust my weight--shift a little to the back if spinning out--and make sure I'm in the right gear. Correct gearing = right amount of torque [for me]. For cornering, if I'm riding my bike correctly (read: anchoring the outside), then grip is not an issue.

I think some people concentrate more on the bike than their skills. But, these are gadget people, and if gadgets make them happy, then they must have their gadgets. I can totally respect that.

[HiptonRadcliffIII]

I do come from a bmx (I used to run 100psi) and downhill background, but my riding is almost entirely XC now (It's what's close). I also ride platform pedals because I like cornering and riding at the limit of grip so much I need a quick exit most rides.
I don't know they physics that make it different, but I have run the same tires (kenda nevgals) both tubed and tubeless and I can assure you they are different. sounds like stans may have explained it better. Also, I think there is an increase in grip-loss predictability, I feel like I have more time to save it before my tire looses traction.
I think your conclusion is valid. If you aren't searching for more traction, and your happy with tubes, then I see no reason to change.
DI, Mountain biking is very gear dependant. It's not about gadgets its about a feeling you get while cornering and wanting to enhance that. If you ride faster, grip eventually becomes an issue, even if your skills are honed. It is precisely those who have those skills that benefit from the enhanced grip from tubeless tires.
I am very skeptical about new gear and industry marketing. I've made post questioning mtb's move to 10 speed. I will say some of the "advancements" have had a positive impact on my ability to get around a trail faster and have more fun.

[HiptonRadcliffIII]

as a reference, I generally run 22F and 24R I will go +-3 psi depending on how sandy a trail is.

[Di_bear]

DI, Mountain biking is very gear dependant.

I agree 100%, but on a personal level. I know some singlespeeders who can clear anything. They're just that good. Me, I need gears.

It's not about gadgets its about a feeling you get while cornering and wanting to enhance that.

I stand by what I said. I wasn't talking about simply getting the right equipment. I really do know people who are always going to get the latest and greatest not because of objectivity, but because they are gadget freaks. It's one thing to find what works for you--which I have, even at high speeds--and another to feel like you always have to get *the next thing.* In 10 years, some people are going to keep their 29ers because that truly is the right bike for them; but others are going to go back to 26ers because that is the latest and greatest. <-- example (Cycles are funny.)

[Critter7r]

DI, Mountain biking is very gear dependant.

I agree 100%, but on a personal level. I know some singlespeeders who can clear anything. They're just that good. Me, I need gears.

It's not about gadgets its about a feeling you get while cornering and wanting to enhance that.

I stand by what I said. I wasn't talking about simply getting the right equipment. I really do know people who are always going to get the latest and greatest not because of objectivity, but because they are gadget freaks. It's one thing to find what works for you--which I have, even at high speeds--and another to feel like you always have to get *the next thing.* In 10 years, some people are going to keep their 29ers because that truly is the right bike for them; but others are going to go back to 26ers because that is the latest and greatest. <-- example (Cycles are funny.)

:rofl

Did you do this on purpose? 'Cause I'm still rolling at your pun-tification!!

[Di_bear]

The "cycles" bit was on purpose, but I must admit that my brilliance was unintentional.

[2slo2endo]

After a few weeks, I am pleased with tubeless, I can feel less rolling resistance, and when I am not watching my speed, I look down and I am always a few MPH faster than I used to be. I have not lowered pressure yet, running around 32f & 35r. Will dropping into the high 20's cost me the speed I have gained? I am running WTB Weirwolfs and I did wash out on pavement around a tight corner when I hit what I think was sand. These tires don't give any warning before slipping, so I will eventually be looking for a rounder profile tire (tubes or tubeless). Let the Forum thread research begin (I don't think we need another "what tires are you running" thread..

[BigGear]

Got thinking, has anyone ever try running w/tubes, and than running w/out tubes. Same rider, tires, trail, same wheelset and time a day. Also riding trail that you know like the back of your hand! That would win me over if one or the othere worked better in that way.

But with all this talk I would like to try going tubeless just to see befor I would say I'll never switch over to tubeless.

[c0nsumer]

Got thinking, has anyone ever try running w/tubes, and than running w/out tubes. Same rider, tires, trail, same wheelset and time a day. Also riding trail that you know like the back of your hand! That would win me over if one or the othere worked better in that way.

But with all this talk I would like to try going tubeless just to see befor I would say I'll never switch over to tubeless.

Yes. Same tires, tube and tubeless, same pressure (because I needed a place to start), and very familiar trails. All in all, once tubeless the the tires felt more conformal (to the trail, and thus with what seemed like increased grip) with the same rolling resistance. This makes me think "better".

[HiptonRadcliffIII]

Got thinking, has anyone ever try running w/tubes, and than running w/out tubes. Same rider, tires, trail, same wheelset and time a day. Also riding trail that you know like the back of your hand! That would win me over if one or the othere worked better in that way.

But with all this talk I would like to try going tubeless just to see befor I would say I'll never switch over to tubeless.

I would be much faster because I wouldn't be changing a pinch flat from running tubes around 22 psi. part of the point of going tubless was that I can run lower psi's. I had to run my rear tire around 27-30 to get acceptable reliability with tubes.

[xcrdr]

Some people keep saying they wouldn't do it because they didn't want to run lower PSI. There is no rule that you must. I only run a few lbs less than tubed. Tubes sometimes lose a bit of air and you are in a hurry and don't check them. Next thing you know, pinch flat. Also, I have had thorn holes sealed up with the tubeless and it's pretty cool. I like the better traction and less weight. I guess I have been lucky. My setups have been smooth and reliable. The only issue that I did have was a tight tire that wasn't really meant to be tubeless. Seems like most of the problems have been people try to fudge stuff, which is probabally ok because some of us like to try stuff for the fun of it. I see benefits of both systems but I really can't see bagging on either. We are just lucky we have a choice. I don't see it as a gadget thing. If so then so are suspension,gears, computers.