How to fit tubeless bike tires

In the past, compatibility has been an issue with tubeless bike tires. However,  this has been regularised and many tubeless tires now use standard Tubeless Ready conforming tires and rims.

To decide on the suitability of tubeless ready tires for your ride, you need to consider the pros and cons.

The pros of tubeless bike tires

• They need lower pressure so tend to be more comfortable, with improved traction and handling.

• Their rolling resistance also tends to be lower, because there's no interaction between tire and inner tube.

• Punctures are less common, and there's less risk of pinch flats. What's more, many punctures simply reseal themselves thanks to the sealant

The cons of tubeless bike tires

• Because of the tight seal, tubeless bike tires can be tricky to fit and remove.

• They can be expensive, and usually require special rims.

• You'll probably need extra equipment, and maybe a compressor.

• Tubeless bike tires don't hold their pressure quite as well, and sharp impacts or intense cornering forces can sometimes cause air leakage.

• Sealant may need reapplication frequently (it depends on the sealant, globally we advise you to add some sealant every 3 months).

Have you decided to use tubeless bicycle tires? Before mounting them on your bike, it is important to be well prepared. You may already have the tools for fitting traditional inner tube tires, but there are some special requirements for tubeless bike tires.

Here’s what you will need:

• A Tubeless or tubeless ready tire. Tubeless ready tires have specially designed beads to stay in place more reliably.

• A tubeless or tubeless ready rim.

• A tubeless valve. It will be a Presta valve for a tubeless use

• Two tire levers.

• A pump or compressor. Depending on the type of tire, you might need a compressor to achieve adequate tire pressure.

• Latex sealant.

• A sponge, plus soap and water.

The following steps are given with MTB tires in mind. If you're wondering how to fit tubeless road tires, the process is basically the same.

Here's the step-by-step process to fit your tubeless bike tire:

1. First, check the condition of your wheel.
   Hold it vertically in front of you by the axle and spin it gently to make sure it isn't warped or damaged. Damaged rims will impair the tires' ability to form a seal.

2. Clean the rim.
   Pay special attention to the inside, making sure there are no extraneous particles. If you have a tubeless ready rim, you must check that your rim tape fit properly.

3. Now take your valve and fit it in the rim.
   Add the rubber washer and nut, tighten to secure.

4. Your tubeless ready tire will typically arrive folded.
   pack the tire and reform it to its proper shape, ready for fitting. Pay special attention to the direction: the tire wall should clearly indicate which way is forward.

5. To get the tire around the rim, you'll need to lubricate the rim and tire beads before fitting.
   Use a wet sponge and gently rub your soap to get a slippery effect. Then wipe this over the rim and whichever side of the tire you plan to fit first.

6. Hold the wheel vertically and insert the first bead into the rim, pushing it all around to make sure it is properly seated.

7. Turn the wheel around and apply your soap and water solution to the other bead. Now you're ready to fit this side.

8. Fitting the second bead is usually the tough bit.
   Start at the side diametrically opposite the valve. Work the tire bead into the rim symmetrically, using both hands.

9. When only a small gap around the valve remains, hold the wheel vertically again with the gap at the bottom.

10.  Measure out 60ml of sealant and pour it into the gap so that it sits in the tire. Now rotate the wheel to distribute the sealant around the whole tire. Quantity of sealant depends on the tire. The wider the tire, the more sealant is needed.

11.  Push the tire bead in fully to close, then use your tire levers to check and make sure it is properly fitted all the way round.

12.  Check the 2 beads are positioned on each side of the valve.

13. Using a pump or compressor, inflate the tire to its correct operating pressure as indicated on the tire wall. Do not over inflate.

14.  Check the tire is correctly positioned on the rim.

15.  Spin the wheel around vertically again, angling left and right to make sure the sealant fully coats the inside of the tire.

16.  Inspect the tire again for any irregularities.

17.  Make final adjustments to the tire pressure for your riding style and terrain.
    
    Now you're good to go!

• Are tubeless bike tires suitable for road bikes as well as MTBs?
  Tubeless bike tires are now very common on mountain bikes. Their ability to be ridden at lower pressures means greater comfort and traction on rough ground. Fitting tubeless tires on a road bike option is a tougher prospect because of the higher tire pressures involved. However, with effective tires like MICHELIN Power Cup TLR Competition Line, many road bike users are also now moving to tubeless ready for better handling and lower rolling resistance.

• Can I fit tubeless bike tires without special rims?
  It's possible but not recommended. For regular tires on regular rims, there's a chance they may form an adequate seal, but the risk of leakage is much higher, for additional questions get closer with a certified professional. For road bikes, you should never try to go tubeless without the right parts – because of the higher tire pressures.

• What happens if I get a puncture?
  Tubeless ready tires are less prone to punctures, and, of course, pinch flats less happen. What's more, many small punctures will seal by themselves because of the presence of sealant within the tire. In the event of a puncture that won't self-seal, you can either simply fit an inner tube, or fix it with a tubeless ready tire plug.

• How often do I need to reseal the tires?
  Tubeless bike tire sealant is a thin, milky latex-based liquid that needs to remain fluid inside the tire in order to flow into any punctures. However, it does dry out after a few months. It depends on the sealant specs.  We advise to reapply sealant every 3 months to keep your tires running reliably.

• Will any tubeless bike tire work with any other tubeless rim?
  In the past, it has been a bit hazardous to assume compatibility for any given rim and tire combination. These days, there's a reasonable expectation that any tire and rim pairing should work, though some are more effective than others. For performance and airtightness, a good bet is to use tires and rims that conform to the Tubeless Ready standard, like MICHELIN's range of tubeless mountain bike tires.