Morning all,

Delighted with my 2 month old fattystripper tubeless set up on Clownshoe rims and 4.8″ bud/lou, seems more reliable (fingers crossed) than either mahoosive tubes or numerous failed goes over the years at using ‘light’ 3″ tubes that all split at the seams.

However, does this remove the need to carry a 4kg (ish) spare tube? Can I get away with a dynaplug do-dah?

Usually only ride with a bottle/cage, and tool/repair kit/CO2 cans plus giant spare tube in a gas can on the top tube, would be great to free up the space for a packable jacket/hat/lunch.

Thoughts and opinions greatly appreciated.

Fortunately not had any punctures since going tubeless on the fat bike but have read it is a waste of time carrying co2 as you’ll need a bajillion canisters for the volume.

Tend to carry a pump a light tube and worms just in case it’s fixable without the faff of putting the tube in.

A 4 Kilogramme spare tube? That’s going to take some effort to carry. 😆

I’ll take a spare tube, usually the lightest, as there’s always the possibility of doing enough damage to a sidewall that can’t be dealt with by sealant or plugs. I’ve not had a torn sidewall whether riding tubeless or not but I ride away from trail centres so tend to be in remoter locations, it’s not just a 30min walk back to the car.

I don’t, and should, I’ve had a couple of walks because of it.

Once hit a rock at Kielder, the tyre burped off and it badly dinged the rim. No amount of air would help here, only a tube would have got me riding again…

Don’t know about fat bikes, but I always do on normal bikes, otherwise you risk, as above, the long walk.

I’m not believing 4kg for a tube

IMO Definitely carry a tube. I went a year without a puncture. When I looked inside the sealant hand almost dried up and disappeared over time/long summer etc.

Sometimes a tubeless puncture will not reseal or you loose too much sealant before you can stop (sidewall burp etc)

I carry a spare tube, worms, pump and little bottle of sealant – never had to fit a tube mid-ride, but have had to use sealant. CO2 reacts with tubeless sealant, plus I’d need to carry about 6 canisters to deal with a double flat – a pump doesn’t run out.

I keep hearing that CO2 reacts with sealant, I used a cartridge at the end of a stage, the hole had sealed and the sealant was fine next time I changed the tyre, just a few lumps. It was the Schwalbe stuff or Stans, I can’t remember which.

CO2 is very inert?

I always carry a spare tube, not a 4000g one though 🙂 Never needed it but I’d rather carry one than have a long walk.

I always carry a tube cos I’ve had a nightmare of a push & some help from Mountain Rescue. However, also make sure you can get the lockring loose on the valve stem cos If you can’t get that off then you can’t fit a tube!

If you are out long enough to be taking lunch then a tube is a decent idea, did you manage to seat the rims with your trail pump?
As for co2 on the odd occasion I’ve used it I’ve taken the tyre off and cleaned it all up back at home.
Anyway it’s a fat bike and you just ride with a flat tyre of ultimate grip.

There is always the Ghetto get you home fix which involves stuffing the tyre with grass, dead leaves, dead trail pixies etc, enough to get the tyre wheel rideable.
It will be heavy as f–k but possible better than a long walk.

^^ Did that once.
You wouldn’t believe how much undergrowth it takes to fill a 26″ x 2″ tyre.
Filling a fat tyre would take a while.
But it got me rolling again, if slowly so.

Filling a fat tyre would take a while

You can save time by only filling the bit that’s flat #toptips

CO2 is very inert but is really cold coming out of the cylinder and can freeze the sealant. Even when it comes back to normal temp, it’s been rendered useless.

I always carry a spare tube, even 2 on a big ride. From group rides I’ve been on it’s usually sidewall splits that defeat tubeless set ups. Nothing solves that but a tube.

I do usually carry dyna-plugs. The success rate for them actually sealing a hole is well below 100%. I always carry a tube as well.

🙂

Good stuff folks, cheers. I’ve found 2x25g cans enough for a single 4.8 tire fill, but it sounds like the sensible ( 🙄 ) response is to carry a tube for bigger rides (long walks!) as well as a tubeless worms. Boo! 🙂

I have mostly been, over the years, the ‘good guy’ when it comes to repairs/spares, due to scenarios described above happening to me, or those riding with me, I tend to always carry tools, chain breaker, magic links, zip ties, mech hanger, and spare tube, repair kit, pump and/or CO2. Basically, the works.

But, the SWAT hatch and tools on the specialised, and the gas can on the fatty, over the last couple of years have made me HATE having to wear a back pack or have a stuffed frame bag, and with tubeless on all bikes now just trying to find the balance.

Really appreciate the responses and thoughts.

For those doubting the weight of a fat tube, a quick comparison shows that using my 11yr old, highly sensitive and effective scales, a single 4.8″ suitable tube actually weighs slightly more a small On-one Inbred. Whoda thunk? 😀

Should seal themselves, but for peace of mind a tube.