I was out doing sprint efforts the other day—nothing too dramatic, just trying to convince my legs to behave—when this older gent rolls up alongside me. Friendly enough, but after a few glances at my bike he says, “Your tyres look a bit soft, love.”
Oh? Do they now?
He asks what pressures I’m running, so I tell him straight: around 3 Bar front, 3.3 rear. (That’s about 43 and 48 psi if you’re still living in PSI-land.) Cue horror-movie gasp. He nearly fell off his bike. “You’ll get constant snakebite punctures running that low!”
Bless him.
I explained I haven’t had a puncture in three years (touches wood, rubs lucky chainring, crosses fingers, etc). Why? Because I’ve been firmly in the tubeless camp for ages. And guess what? Rim-nip snakebites only happen to people running tubes. Sorry, not sorry.
But it did get me thinking—there’s still loads of confusion out there. Some riders think tubeless is messy or complicated, or that it’s only for gravel warriors and mountain bikers. Others have heard horror stories online (probably involving exploding sealant in someone’s kitchen).
So let’s clear things up. Here’s a look at the different road bike tyre systems out there, with their pros, cons, and who they’re best suited for. No fluff. Just facts—with a Frankie filter.
🚲 The Main Players: Clincher, Tubeless, Tubular, and… TPU?
1. Clincher (aka The Old Faithful)
Tyre + inner tube. Classic combo.
✅ Easy to use
✅ Cheap and cheerful
✅ Loads of choice
❌ Prone to pinch flats (ahem, Mr Snakebite)
❌ Slightly higher rolling resistance
Best for: Beginners, budget-conscious riders, and those who don’t mind a roadside tube swap now and then.
2. Tubeless (aka My Ride-or-Die)
No tube. Sealant inside. Airtight magic.
✅ No pinch flats – that’s history, darling
✅ Sealant often fixes small punctures before you even know
✅ Run lower pressure = better comfort + grip
✅ Lower rolling resistance = free speed
❌ Initial setup can be a faff
❌ You do need to top up the sealant occasionally (but so what?)
Best for: Performance-focused riders, racers, sprinters, and basically anyone who doesn’t want to wrestle with inner tubes mid-ride.
3. Tubular (aka The Pro Racer’s Pain in the…)
Tube sewn inside the tyre, glued to rim. Sounds fun, right?
✅ Super light
✅ Plush ride feel
✅ Can ride flat-ish without it flying off the rim
❌ Needs glue/tape and time/patience
❌ Nightmare to repair
❌ Not exactly budget-friendly
Best for: Hardcore racers with a team mechanic. Or those who enjoy glue sniffing and swearing on race morning.
4. TPU Tubes (aka The New Kid on the Block)
Super-light tubes made from thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU).
✅ Ridiculously light – up to 70g saved over butyl rubber
✅ Compact – ideal as a spare in your jersey pocket
✅ Lower rolling resistance than regular tubes
❌ Lose air quickly – need topping up every ride
❌ More fragile – sharp stuff can wreck your day
❌ Not cheap – and not always easy to patch
Best for: Weight weenies, hill climbers, or racers looking for every last marginal gain. Not ideal if you forget to check your pressure before rides… or hate pumping tyres.
💡 The Quick ‘n’ Dirty Comparison Table
| Feature | Clincher | Tubeless | Tubular | TPU Tubes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | Medium | Lighter | Lightest | Ultra-light |
| Puncture Protection | Low | High | Medium | Low-ish |
| Ride Feel | Good | Excellent | Dreamy | Firm-ish |
| Price | 💰 Cheap | 💰💰 Moderate | 💰💰💰 Pricey | 💰💰 Not cheap |
| Maintenance | Easy-ish | Slightly faffy | Nightmare | Easy—but frequent |
| Race-Readiness | OK | YES | Pro-level only | Yes, with caution |
Frankie’s Final Say
Look, there’s no perfect system. Tubeless works for me—I get comfort, grip, and confidence, all without carrying three spare tubes and crossing my fingers over every pothole I use this stuff I’m Not sponsored by them Hint !!. But I totally get the appeal of TPU tubes too—especially as a spare. They’re light, fast, and take up no space. Just don’t expect them to hold air like your trusty butyls.
As for Mr Snakebite? He meant well. But next time someone questions your pressure, remind them it’s 2025 and we’ve got science, sealant, and options.
So choose your setup based on your riding style, not someone else’s opinion. Just… maybe don’t glue a tubular unless you’re really sure.
— Frankie 🚴♀️💨
🚫 BONUS: What Sealant Not to Use in White Bib Shorts
Okay, so before we wrap up, can we talk about something important? Like, not puncture-prevention important—more like dignity-preservation important.
White bib shorts + certain tubeless sealants = a fashion crime waiting to happen.
You might think you’re just topping up your tyres, but one rogue burp at the bead or a sneaky sidewall leak and bam—suddenly it looks like you’ve had a very bad day at mile 3.
Avoid milky white or suspiciously brownish sealants if you ride in white kit. Honestly, I’ve seen folks roll into the café looking like they lost a custard fight. Or worse—like they’ve had an “incident” mid-ride.
Stick to clear or coloured sealants if you want to keep your shorts looking pro instead of… tragic.
Frankie’s top tip: If your sealant says “natural latex” or “eco-formula,” that’s usually code for “this might stain everything you love.” Proceed with caution.
You’re welcome.