since the invention of tubeless tyres flats are mostly a thing of the past. here is why: typical accidental pinch flats, where the rims punch nice holes in the tube as you ride over something substantial at higher-than-safe speeds can’t happen when there is no tube, right? and if something goes right through the tyre? #stake
instead of a tube there is … nothing. well, there is a little bit of ‘sealant’, a latex based goo that, a little bit like blood, solidifies as it is pushed through a tiny hole – should that ever happen. problem solved and no flat. #glittergoo
until then the system is lighter, tyre flexes more, which provides more grip, and there is less chance of a sudden loss of air, provided all parts of the system work hand in hand. #weakestlink
which is probably why natalie ended up with three flats in three days. the rims we run on her bike are a bit old and probably predate the tubeless age: they don’t have groves the beads can hook into. so the system works as long as tyre pressures are high enough to hold the tyres in place, but when air gets burped (yes that’s what it is called) out and the tyre deflates it rolls off the rim, at which point it loses air pretty quickly. #flat #soannoying #whereisatubewhenyoubloodyneedone
this happened twice, i think some rocky parts of the track disagreed with my tubeless hack. as much as it pains me we now installed a tube in the rear … how yesterday. #tubeisbackinthe back
the third flat was something going straight through the tyre; the sealant did its job but the hole was a bit more substantial and the goo was not going to hang on for too long. time for a tube in the front. oh well. #tubeinthefrontaswell
luckily nat was able to complete the gravity girls clinic with thredbo’s very own downhill world champion – check her post later. #gravityrules