If you are still hesitating whether to start tubeless tires, you can take a look here: Do you really need road tubeless tires? If you decide to become a tubeless tire user, then you have to see clearly when purchasing, these are products called tubeless tires, which are actually quite different. TL, TL R, TL E and UST, do you know the difference?

What is a tubeless tire system?

As a refresher, a tubeless system can be understood as a tire mounting system that does not require a tube to be installed. The original intention of the tubeless tire design is that due to the needs of mountain bikes off-road, the tubeless tire can use a lower tire pressure, so that the tire deformation will be larger, the pass ability will be better, and the off-road riding will be more comfortable; riding on paved roads, Tubeless tires will provide a more comfortable road feel.

Advantages of Tubeless Tube Systems

Tubeless tires allow riders to ride at lower tire pressures, but for air tightness, tubeless tires generally have thicker sidewalls and heavier weights than normal tires. However, compared to clincher tires, if the weight of the spare tire and tire repair tool is included, the overall weight of the rider and the bike is still lighter.

Tubeless tires are generally filled with tire repair fluid, which will be automatically repaired when a tire is punctured. Generally, the small holes that are punctured can be filled.

Since the tubeless tube has no tube against the tire, the rolling resistance of the tubeless tire will be lower. At the same time, since there is no inner tube, an inner tube can never implode. Tubeless tires can be ridden at lower tire pressures for better grip in the rain without sacrificing performance.

Continental GP 5000 TL Tubeless Tire

Tubeless TL (Tubeless)

Tubeless tire without any suffix is ​​a true tubeless tire system, and its carcass design structure is destined for higher air tightness and longer service life. Generally, tubeless tires are heavier and more expensive, so many riders who prefer competitive performance will choose lighter TL R tires instead.

Arisun Mamba Tubeless Tire

Tubeless TL R (Tubeless Ready)

Tubeless Ready is generally referred to as a quasi-tubeless tire in Chinese. Although its own air tightness is poor, it can be converted into a vacuum system by adding self-rehydration fluid. Generally speaking, quasi-tubeless tires are lighter in weight, lower in price than tubeless tires, have a shorter service life, and are more competitive in performance.

 

Tubeless TL E (Tubeless Easy)

Tubeless Easy is a tubeless tire system exclusively developed by tire manufacturer SCHWALBE, which is lighter than normal Tubeless Ready tires. Although the assistance of self-rehydration is also required during installation, the operation is more successful.

 

UST (Universal Standard Tubeless)

UST is the abbreviation of Universal Standard Tubeless. This vacuum system was jointly developed by Mavic, Michelin and Hutchinson and was launched as early as 1999. Simply put, it is a type of Tubeless tire.