Tube or Tube-less

[Beavis]

I purchased an old running gear and it needs new tires. The current tires are 600-16's (with tubes) I have been told that I can mount a new 16 tubeless tire on these rims and I have also been told that I cannot go tubeless. Looking for input on what can or can't be done.

THANKS

 

[zzvyb6]

Tubeless tires require a very clean rim at the bead area. If the wheels are a 2 part rim with a riveted spider, its not going to hold air. Even the stem hole may be too rough to seal. I use tubes on these gears because grass, dirt, stones, and other field material can 'worry ' the beads and then when you have a flat and a dirty bead, that's hard to clean and seal. Believe it or not, some old wheels are not strong enough in the bead seat area to hold a tubeless tire's seating stresses from the tighter beadwire. You maybe able to reuse the old tubes if the wheels are rustfree inside.

 

[Soundguy]

yep.. if the rims are tube type.. stay with tubes..

soundguy

 

[MrBushhog]

i was just about to ask pretty much the same question.
tired of having to change tubes all the time. thought about going to tubeless so if i get a thorn in the tire i could just plug it. and hopefully the steel belts would help. but i think i will end up just having the tires filled.

 

[whistlepig]

As I get older I have come to prefer things that are simple. A tubeless tire is more simple than a tire with a tube in it.

 

[trouble007]

i would keep tubes in the tires if you are planning to use it in a field all farm machinery has tubed tires due to the fact that simple objects in the field can cause enough stress to cause a flat. this is simply what i have been told when i asked the wise old farm that is my boss about this one day.

 

[whistlepig]

You can tube it and also squirt a couple of pounds of Slime in it if you really want have some fun fixing a serious flat some day.

 

[Mikeeemo]

I agree, go with the tubes.

Far more reliable...

 

[Beavis]

The hubs have been pulled apart and the bearing all cleaned up ready for new grease and seals. The frame itself has been powerwashed and painted.

Still not sure which way I'm going reference tubes/tubeless.

 

[alchemysa]

If punctures are likely to be a constant problem then tubeless is better because tubeless tyres can often be fixed simply with a cheap DIY plug kit. And a tubeless tyre with a puncture can usually be refilled with air to get you out of trouble. On the other hand a puncture in a tubed tyre is often rapid and terminal and may require a tyre shop to do the repair. I much prefer tubeless but I would be a bit worried about old rims being able to hold air. But its worth trying and you can always add tubes later if tubeless doesnt work out.