Not every technical innovation immediately creates enthusiasm. Not even in technology-oriented road cycling, often referred to as the Formula 1 of muscle-driven racing, is every new component used immediately.
In any case, many racing teams are having a surprisingly difficult time with tubeless technology. Many amateur cyclists already ride tubeless tires. At the Tour de France, however, a mixed field with tubeless systems and glued tubular tires (here the tube is sewn into the jacket) will start. There are reasons for that.
The cycling philosopher was overwhelmed. “Which tires are better? Hey, you have to ask our mechanics. I don’t know my way around,” said Guillaume Martin, amazed at the sports show. Martin is the cycling philosopher in the peloton. He has a degree in philosophy and also writes with deep knowledge about the convergence of thinking and pedaling. However, the Cofidis professional does not seem to like dealing with the technical issues. Typical academics. On the subject of tubeless tires, he only said on the sidelines of the Giro d’Italia: “Our team runs completely with tubular tires.”
Then the cycling journalist was amazed. Because tubeless systems have been used in professional cycling since the turn of the century. The first major race to be won tubeless was the 2008 cobblestone semi-classic Omloop Het Volk. Philippe Gilbert won back then – even though he finished the race with a punctured tyre.
Holes close thanks to sealing milk
But that didn’t matter, because tubeless systems are characterized by the fact that a sealing liquid reliably closes smaller holes. The jacket sits directly on the rim and does not have a tube inside. The sealing milk not only solves the classic problem of bicycle tires that air can escape at the point where the spokes meet the rim.
It also seals minor defects in the jacket that can be caused by sharp objects. In any case, tubeless pioneer Gilbert, who started for the French FDJeux team in 2008, justified his choice like this: “At least I know now that I can no longer lose a race because of a flat tire.”
Nevertheless, the revolution did not happen
However, his victory did not initiate the material revolution. Tubeless systems have been around since 1999, when Mavic released its Crossmax UST. The tubeless tires also have other advantages, at least on the test bench. The rolling resistance is lower with lower tire pressure compared to tubular tires, while traction increases at the same time.
So you drive safer, especially on wet surfaces and when cornering, and you’re still faster. Test results vary depending on tires used, tire pressure and speeds. You can read about savings of 4 watts to 28 watts. A comprehensive study by the aerodynamics specialists from Aero-Coach came up with advantages of up to 7 watts of tubeless systems at a speed of 45 km/h compared to the Continental GP 5000 taken as standard. That’s not much. But it can make a difference.
Tubeless advantages on flat stages
In any case, sprinter Fabio Jakobsen swears by tubeless. After his stage win at the Tour of California in 2019, he enthused: “If my team allows it and my mechanics make it possible, I want to do every race tubeless from now on. You have more grip, you feel the vibrations from bumps in the road less and you can negotiate corners better .” Many sprint and time trial specialists now swear by tubeless.
“I like to use the tubeless on flat stages,” said Magnus Cort Nielsen, the classic specialist with high end speed and mountain stability. However, the multiple Grand Tour stage winner from Team EF uses tubular tires for mountainous stages in the tours. “They weigh a little less, and you notice that in the mountains,” explained the Dane. His team rides mixed, depending on the profile of the race and the inclinations of the drivers.
“Gluing tires is more fun”
Mechanics are still quite skeptical when it comes to tubeless. “Gluing tires is more fun,” says Bora hansgrohe mechanic Mario Lexmüller of the sports show frankly. Manufacturers would sell the technology as simpler. But gluing tubular tires is easier to do and more fun, emphasizes Lexmüller.
He also reports adjustment difficulties: “The system works by and large. But we still had a problem with the rims at the beginning. That’s why we only switched to tubeless a year later. And now there’s a lack of know-how when it comes to milk. ” But he is confident that things will get better. “It’s coming. We now also have new prototypes,” says Lexmüller. According to Bora, he went tubeless on all stages of the Giro d’Italia.
But that didn’t mean a trouble-free tour. “Honestly, we had two punctures in the entire 2017 Giro and three in the 2018 Giro. In this Giro there were five punctures in the first week alone,” he said.
Bora will go tubeless on the tour. The racing team follows the industry leader. Tadej Pogacar won the 2021 Tour on tubeless tires, his bike manufacturer Campagnolo announced. In 2020, however, the Slovenian still won the tour on tubular tires.
Slovenian duel is tubeless vs tubular
His biggest rival, Primoz Roglic, will probably sit out the technical revolution on the tires this year. “We are still on the conventional road. We will only switch when we believe that tubeless will bring more advantages overall,” said Marc Reef, sporting director of Roglic’ racing team Jumbo – Visma, on the sidelines of the Giro d’Italia of the sports show. The Tour de France 2022 will also be shaped by the duel between late users of the new technology and die-hard traditionalists.