Tubeless tire

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A tubeless tire (also spelled as tubeless tyre in Commonwealth English) is a pneumatic tire that does not require a separate inner tube.

Contents

Unlike pneumatic tires which use a separate inner tube, tubeless tires have continuous ribs molded integrally into the bead of the tire that are forced by air pressure into a flange on the metal rim of the wheel, sealing the tire to the rim.

History

Many patents had been filed covering tubeless tires. Killen Tire applied for a patent in 1928 and was granted GBpatent 329955   in the UK in 1930. The Wingfoot Corporation, a subsidiary of Goodyear Tire were granted a patent in South Africa in 1944. Due to technical problems, most of these designs saw only limited production or were abandoned.

Frank Herzegh working for BF Goodrich applied for a patent in 1946 and eventually received USpatent 2587470   in 1952 in the United States. By 1955 tubeless tires became standard equipment on new cars. [1] BF Goodrich had to defend their patent in court several times, due to the similarities of previous designs. The primary difference between the BF Goodrich design and their predecessors was the usage of butyl rubber, which was more resistant to air leakage than the natural rubber used in the other designs. [2] [3]

Safety

Traditional designs of pneumatic tires required a separate inner tube which could fail for a number of reasons, such as incorrect tire fit, friction between the tire wall and inner tube generating excess heat, or a puncture. Tubeless tire technology does away with the need for an inner tube thereby increasing safety. [1] [4] [ citation needed ] In a tubeless tire, the tire and the rim of the wheel form an airtight seal, with the valve being directly mounted on the rim. If a tubeless tire gets a small puncture, air escapes only through the hole, leading to a gentle deflation. Conversely, a tubed tire, with an inner tube, could burst like a balloon, leading to deflation of the tire which could result in sudden loss of control of the vehicle. However, the "bursting like a balloon" scenario is highly unlikely due to fact that the inner tube is inside of the tire and will deflate at a rate proportional to the puncture hole size. In antique automobiles, made before the mid 1950s, the rims are not designed for tubeless tires, and an inner tube is required to prevent slow leaks at the bead.

Advantages of tubeless tires

Tubeless tires provide several advantages, such as remaining operational at lower air pressure. Due to their high width, tubeless tires are less likely to get punctured than regular tube tires. Air leakage is also reduced as the rubber in the tire keeps the air trapped for longer, giving an extra time to drive safely and pull over. In addition, mending a tubeless tire is easier than a traditional one—a simple liquid sealant poured over the puncture is often enough to patch it. Furthermore, the higher air pressure inside a tubeless tire provides more stability and comfort while driving. Lastly, the lack of a tube also boosts fuel efficiency due to reduced tire friction. [5]

Tire sealants

Liquid tire sealant can be injected into tubeless tires to prevent deflation in case of small punctures, although there is controversy regarding its compatibility with direct tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) that employ sensors mounted inside the tire. Some manufacturers of sealants assert that their products are indeed compatible, [6] but others warned that, e.g., the "sealant may come in contact with the sensor in a way that renders the sensor TEMPORARILY inoperable until it is properly cleaned, inspected and re-installed by a tire care professional". [7] Such doubts are also reported by others. [8] [9] Use of such sealants may void the TPMS sensor warranty. [6]

Bicycle tires

A tubeless bicycle tire system requires a compatible tire, an airtight rim—capable of being sealed at the valve stem, spoke holes (if they go all the way through the rim) and the tire bead seat. Liquid sealant is added inside the tire to prevent leaking around the bead and to seal holes from small punctures, [5] but the sealant can be messy to mount or in case of punctures. [10]

Tubeless valve on a bicycle rim. Zipp 353 NSW 09 (cropped).jpg
Tubeless valve on a bicycle rim.

Tubeless systems typically utilize Presta valves with removable cores. Some feature a larger internal diameter than usual Presta valves to prevent clogging and to accommodate more air flow during installation. [11]

The main benefit of tubeless tires is the ability to use low air pressure for better traction without getting pinch flats because there is no tube to pinch between the rim and an obstacle. [12] Lower pressures mean improved comfort and rolling performance on rough surfaces. Since there’s no inner tube, there’s no friction between tire and tube. Many punctures will self seal. Most punctures that don’t seal are easy to fix with a tire plug.

Mountain and gravel

UST or Universal System Tubeless is a USpatent 6257676   rim designed by Mavic with hooked edges designed to seal with specially designed tires. Several companies such as Michelin and Hutchinson make tires compatible with UST rims, and that. [12] UST was the first tubeless system for bicycles. [13] Other companies such as Stan’s NoTubes, Bontrager, DT Swiss, and WTB have their own similar system called Tubeless Ready. [14] [15]

Road

In 2006, Shimano and Hutchinson introduced a tubeless system for road bicycles. [16] There has been a slow migration of the professional peloton to tubeless designs, with the change happening slowly over the later end of the 2010's with tubeless turning up on a meaningful number of bikes around the 2017 season and continuing to gain popularity into the early 2020's. [17] As of 2024, most of the professional peloton is now using a tubeless setup for most applications with the odd UCI pro team using tubular or clinchers in certain races or stages. [18] Tubeless tyres now dominate the lowest rolling resistance charts. [19]

See also

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mountain bike</span> Type of bicycle

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tire iron</span> Specialized metal tool used in working with tires

A tire iron is a specialized metal or plastic tool used in working with tires. Tire irons have not been in common use for automobile tires since the shift to the use of tubeless tires in the late 1950s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bicycle wheel</span> Wheel designed for a bicycle

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Schrader valve</span> Motor vehicle and bicycle tube valve

The Schrader valve is a type of pneumatic tire valve used on virtually every motor vehicle in the world today. The Schrader company, for which it was named, was founded in 1844 by August Schrader. The original Schrader valve design was invented in 1891, and patented in the United States in 1893.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Presta valve</span> Bicycle tube valve

The Presta valve is a type of tire valve commonly found on high pressure bicycle inner tubes and is commonly used on tubeless setups. It consists of an outer valve stem and an inner valve body. A lock nut to secure the stem at the wheel rim and a valve cap may also be present.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ISO 5775</span> International standard for labeling the size of bicycle tires and rims

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tire bead</span>

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BFGoodrich is an American tire brand. Originally part of the industrial conglomerate Goodrich Corporation, it was acquired in 1990 by the French tire maker Michelin. BFGoodrich was the first American tire manufacturer to make radial tires. It made tires for the then new Winton car from Winton Motor Carriage Company.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rim (wheel)</span> Outer part of a wheel on which the tire is mounted

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A run-flat tire is a pneumatic vehicle tire designed to resist the effects of deflation when punctured, allowing the vehicle to continue to be driven at reduced speeds for limited distances. First developed by tire manufacturer Michelin in the 1930s, run-flat tires were introduced to the public market in the 1980s. They have increased in popularity over time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tire-pressure monitoring system</span> Electronic system in vehicles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flat tire</span> Deflated pneumatic tire

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dunlop valve</span> Bicycle tube valve

The Dunlop valve, is a type of pneumatic valve stem in use—mostly on inner tubes of bicycles—in many countries, including Japan, Korea, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, most European countries, and a number of developing countries. The Dunlop valve has a wider base than a Presta valve, similar enough in size to a Schrader valve to use identically drilled valve holes in rims, but it can be inflated with a Presta valve adapter. The inner mechanism of the valve can be replaced easily, without the need for special tools.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bicycle tire</span> Tire that fits on the wheel of a bicycle

A bicycle tire is a tire that fits on the wheel of a bicycle or similar vehicle. These tires may also be used on tricycles, wheelchairs, and handcycles, frequently for racing. Bicycle tires provide an important source of suspension, generate the lateral forces necessary for balancing and turning, and generate the longitudinal forces necessary for propulsion and braking. Although the use of a pneumatic tire greatly reduces rolling resistance compared to the use of a rigid wheel or solid tire, the tires are still typically the second largest source, after wind resistance, of power consumption on a level road. The modern detachable pneumatic bicycle tire contributed to the popularity and eventual dominance of the safety bicycle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tubular tyre</span>

A tubular tyre, referred to as a tub in Britain, a sew-up in the US, a single in Australia, or just a tubular is a bicycle tyre that is stitched closed around the inner tube to form a torus. The combination is then glued onto a specially designed rim, referred to as a "sprint rim" in Britain, and just a "tubular rim" in the US, of a bicycle wheel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Outline of tires</span> Overview of and topical guide to tires

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Inner tube</span> Part of a tire

An inner tube is an inflatable torus that forms the interior of some pneumatic tires. The tube is inflated through a valve stem and fits inside the tire casing. The inflated inner tube provides structural support and suspension, while the outer tire offers grip and protects the more fragile tube.

References

  1. 1 2 "B.F. Goodrich Co. announces development of tubeless tire". History.com by A&E Television Networks. Retrieved April 4, 2015.
  2. ↑ BF Goodrich Co. v. United States Rubber Co.(D. Md.1956), Text .
  3. ↑ BF Goodrich Co. v. United States Rubber Co., 244F.2d468 (4th Cir.1957).
  4. ↑ Foster, Hailey (December 5, 1954). "TUBELESS TYRES; Standard on Most 1955 Automobiles, They Are Safer and Last Longer". New York Times. p. 27.(subscription required)
  5. 1 2 Missel, Riley. "How to Use Tubeless Tire Sealant". bicycling.com. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
  6. 1 2 "Ride-On TPS Tire Sealants and Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS)" . Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Faqs: Is Slime TPMS Safe?". 2012. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Convenient tire sealants to fix a flat tire; Evaluations show that compressor kits are better than aerosol sealers" . Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Common TPMS Service Questions and Answers". July 16, 2012. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  10. ↑ "9 things they don't tell you about tubeless tyres". road.cc. April 27, 2020. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  11. ↑ Ortiz, Gabe (June 13, 2023). "Let's Talk About the Difference Between a Schrader Valve and a Presta Valve". Bicycling. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
  12. 1 2 Felton, Vernon (2008). "Are Tubeless Tires Worth It?". Bike Magazine. Archived from the original on August 23, 2010. Retrieved August 31, 2011.
  13. ↑ Brown, Sheldon. "Sheldon Brown's Glossary: U. S. T". Sheldon Brown. Retrieved April 4, 2015.
  14. ↑ "Why Tubeless Ready?". Bontrager.com. Retrieved April 4, 2015.
  15. ↑ "Tubeless Explained and Demystified". notubes.com. Retrieved April 4, 2015.
  16. ↑ Phillips, Matt (December 2008). "The Scoop on Tubeless". Bicycling. Rodale: 90.
  17. ↑ "Will tubeless take over in the pro peloton? Here's what the experts say". www.bikeradar.com. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  18. ↑ "Have we witnessed the death of tubular tyres? Why tubeless now rules the Tour de France peloton". road.cc. July 9, 2023. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  19. ↑ "Road Bike Tires Test Results | Bicycle Rolling Resistance". www.bicyclerollingresistance.com. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
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