Today, a large number of mass-segment motorcycles are fitted with tubeless bike tyres. Such tyres are also a rising trend in the aftermarket as they provide greater value and practicality than typical tube-type tyres. Most of the best tyre dealers in Ludhiana, Lucknow, Noida and other major Indian cities sell tubeless tyres.
Prior to going through the benefits of tubeless bike tyres, it is imperative to understand the difference between them and conventional tube tyres.
Tube Type Tyre
For years, typical tube-type tyres have been used for bikes. These tyres are made of two components: the tyre and the tube. The tube is present inside the casing and is blown up to hold the air pressure. Today, tube-type tyres are most commonly seen in bikes with spoked wheels where there is no scope for direct air loss.
Tubeless Tyre
As opposed to traditional tube-type tyres, tubes are absent in tubeless bike tyres. and the air is filled between the rim and the tyre. There is an airtight seal between the two that does not allow any air to pass. Tubeless tyres generally come with an alloy wheel setup, which allows these modern engineered tyres to have a superior air-hold over an extended period of time. Bias ply and tubeless are among the two prominent types of tyres found in this category.
Difference Between Tubeless and Tube-Type Tyres
As mentioned above, tube-type tyres come with an inflatable tube placed on the inside. The air in this tube basically doubles up as a cushion, allowing for a comfortable and smooth riding experience. However, as these tyres rely on an inner tube that can get damaged by sharp objects on the road, they can be quite prone to punctures and flats, which could be pretty inconvenient for the bikers.
On the other hand, tubeless tyres do not need a separate air tube inside it. The rim of the wheel and the tyre form an airtight seal. These tyres have a comparatively low rate of deflation in comparison to the tyres with tubes. The weight of tubeless tyres is also lower than tube-type tyres, which allows them to improve the performance of a bike by ensuring better manoeuvrability and handling.
Composition of Tubeless TyresÂ
A tubeless tyre is composed of multiple different layers. The outer layer or tread is made of rubber and is designed to provide better durability and traction. The carcass, or the middle layer, on the other hand, is generally made of woven fabric. This layer is designed to provide support for the tread and inner tube. The inner layer or bead can be made of steel or Kevlar and helps hold the tyre securely on the wheel.
Due to the airtight seal between the tyre and the wheel, tubeless tyres can run without an inner tube. A liquid is poured into the tyre prior to getting mounted on the wheel in order to create the airtight seal.
There are many advantages associated with tubeless tyres.
Resistant to Punctures
Just about any type of tyre cannot go puncture-free on Indian roads. Common causes of punctures are construction debris, sharp rocks, and broken glass. Tubeless bike tyres tend to have a solid body structure and an advanced compound, which makes it harder for sharp objects to pierce the surface of the tyre. Tube-type tyres can leak air even with a single prick, while tubeless bike tyres provide a greater level of resistance against smaller injuries. Moreover, even after a puncture, tubeless tyres can continue to run on low tyre pressure.
Prompt Action by Liquid Sealant
The best tyre dealers in Ludhiana, Noida, Delhi, and more sell tubeless tyres that come equipped with a liquid sealant, which helps the tyres heal themselves effectively. For instance, as a broken piece of glass on the road pierces your tyre, this sealant shall be automatically released into the hole, and the damaged area will be dried up and sealed by itself. This quality of tubeless tyres provides people with a much-needed buffer time to get to a tyre shop or mechanic and get the damaged tyre fixed. If the damage or cut is minor, you may not have to spend any money or time on repairs.
Gradual Air Escape
A tube-type tyre is quite like an inflated balloon. It can go completely flat within seconds due to a tiny prick. A tubeless tyre, however, loses air gradually. Therefore, even if the tyre does get punctured, the rider would get enough time to pull over to safety. Dealing with a punctured tyre on a busy road can be a huge hassle and raises many safety concerns. Hence, to avoid such issues, it is better to use tubeless tyres instead. The many benefits of tubeless tyres have made them a hot favourite of most modern bikers.
