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Tubeless on a city bike: worth it for a beginner?

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I converted my city bike to tubeless in the spring and have not had a flat since, but I keep hearing that it is not for beginners. For those of you who ride in town every day, was it worth the hassle? Happy to share what I learned if anyone wants to try.

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The first setup is the hardest part. After that it is just topping up sealant twice a year.

Counterpoint: you need a track pump with a big volume or a booster tank to seat the bead. Worth trying at least once.

My two cents: glass on the cycle lanes was killing my tubes. Tubeless fixed that completely. Happy to help anyone who wants a go.

From experience: check your rims are tubeless ready before you buy anything. That is my experience anyway.

For a beginner, carry a plug kit. Sealant does not seal everything.

Good question. the mess is overrated. Do it outside with some newspaper down. Worth trying at least once.

Agree with Kwame. my shop charged 30 per wheel to set it up. Worth it for the first time. Happy to help anyone who wants a go.

Lower pressures are the real win. The ride is noticeably smoother over cobbles. That is my experience anyway.

Counterpoint: sealant dries out faster in summer. Put a reminder in your calendar.

My two cents: if you rarely get punctures, it is probably not worth the faff. Worth trying at least once.

From experience: a spare tube still lives in my bag, just in case. Happy to help anyone who wants a go.

For a beginner, good tape job is everything. Most leaks I have seen were the tape. That is my experience anyway.

Good question. the valve cores clog. Buy a spare set and a core tool.

Agree with Kwame. I went back to tubes on the commuter. Too much maintenance for me. Worth trying at least once.

Come to Fix-up night and we can do one wheel together. Happy to help anyone who wants a go.

Counterpoint: Kwame helped me set mine up and it took twenty minutes. That is my experience anyway.

My two cents: for kids bikes I would not bother. For your own daily bike, yes.

From experience: it rolls faster too, though I cannot prove it. Worth trying at least once.

For a beginner, shake the sealant bottle for longer than you think. Happy to help anyone who wants a go.

Good question. rim strips on older wheels are not always airtight, test before you commit. That is my experience anyway.

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K

Kwame Asante

@kwame_asante

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Created Tuesday, 06 October 2026 20:19
Last Updated Tuesday, 06 October 2026 20:19
Replies 0
Views 1K
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