"Dumb" question about tubed vs tubeless tyres
 

Hi all,

This is probably a dumb question but here goes. I can understand that with tubed tyres you would want to carry something to help break the bead in order to repair punctures in the tube, but with tubeless tyres why would you need such a device ? (assuming you don't want to fit new tyres you might be carrying yourself by the roadside). Am I right in thinking that tubeless tyre repairs involve just plugging the hole and re-inflating, then replacing the tyre when you get to civilisation or am I missing some scenario where beadbreaking would be involved ?

Thanks,

Ian

Some people prefer to plug the tyre from inside and they need to brake the bead.

If you dent your tubeless rim on a rock then you can end up with a leak between the tyre and rim. The only way to fix it is to put a tube in.
Sounds unlikely I know, but it happened to the 1150GS rider I was in Morocco with earlier in the year.

Tubed vs tubeless
 

Another scenario is that you cut or slash your tubeless tire so that a plug will not fix it. If you are carrying a spare tube, you can break the bead and insert a tube that will enable you to get somewhere to patch or replace the tire. On long trips I always carry a spare tube, tire irons, and a replacement valve stem (even though I run tubeless tires). Remember, you'll have to cut out or remove the old tubeless valve stem to insert a tube. When you get the tire fixed you'll need that new valve stem too.

As for a bead-breaker? I use the side-stand on the bike to break the bead away from the rim. If that fails, the center stand will do it too but really requires a balancing act.

Also to mention that it's smart to carry large patches that can repair a cut or torn tubeless tire from the inside. These are available at most auto parts stores.

If a tubeless tire is damaged to such a degree that a tube is needed, you would want to cover the damaged area with those patches, otherwise the tire can eventually 'eat' the tube.

If a rider can't figure a way to break the bead of a tire, he probably shouldn't be riding in areas where a field fix might be needed.

Thanks everyone - feedback really appreciated :thumbup1:

I've dented my wheels rims on my my India to UK trip and again in Africa. You should definitely carry a tube. Both times the tyre was deflating slowly, i managed to get to the next town by pumping the tyre up every 15 km until i reached a tyre shop.