Do You Run Tubeless AND Carry a Spare Tube?

[PoorInRichfield]

Having recently installed a pair of Continental GP5000 tubeless tires which sealed so tight that I didn't even need to use any sealant to get them to hold air, I began wondering if it really makes any sense to carry a spare tube with me on rides. In the 25+ years I've been riding, the vast majority of flats I've had were either from pinch-flats or tiny thorns that popped the tube... both of which should be easily sealed by tubeless sealant. While I can't predict the future, I've never had a catastrophic tire failure where something ripped a big gash in my tire. Heck, even if that did happen, would a new tube have been helpful? A big hole in a damaged tire wouldn't work well with a tube as the tube would want to press through the hole.

Therefore, does it really make sense to carry a spare tube when running tubeless? It seems to me like tubeless is kind of an "all or nothing" proposition... it's either going to work as intended or you're going to be calling someone to come pick you up because the tire damage is so bad that no road-side repair is going to help.

Thoughts? What do you do... do you run tubeless and carry a spare tube "just in case"?

[spdntrxi]

yes I carry one tube and a boot JIC

[justonwo]

I always carry a tube. I don't want to get stranded miles from home. Tubeless work fine, but they aren't perfect. One of my Conti GP5000s got a hole that was too big for the sealant to fill in. At a minimum, you should carry something that allows you to seal off the tire should it get a hole (tubeless repair kit).

[PoorInRichfield]

yes I carry one tube and a boot JIC

What's a "boot"? I'm in the USA... a boot is a heavy-duty shoe.

(tubeless repair kit).

Suggestions welcome for a good tubeless repair kit. Are you talking about the tire plugs that are becoming popular these days?

[bespoke]

I carried a tube for 2yrs, then tried to take off a GP5000TL in the comfort of my own home and realised I was never ever doing this in the field
I would be quicker walking home than spending 90 mins crying by the road
You may be more mechanically competetent than me....

[RUNTHAT]

I run sealant in my Contis for the little stuff, and also carry a small tire plug kit in my pocket.

Dynaplug Racer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RbqVRiTNVE

[Alexbn921]

Yes. Always carry spares so you can get home.

[spdntrxi]

yes I carry one tube and a boot JIC

What's a "boot"? I'm in the USA... a boot is a heavy-duty shoe.

(tubeless repair kit).

Suggestions welcome for a good tubeless repair kit. Are you talking about the tire plugs that are becoming popular these days?

I big sticker basically

[Orlok]

Because you ride with two tubeless tires I've always two spare tubes with me.!

[AJS914]

A big hole in a damaged tire wouldn't work well with a tube as the tube would want to press through the hole.

A tire boot is anything that you put between the slash in your tire and the tube. A folded dollar bill can be a temporary solution. Personally I carry an old piece of tire casing that I cut out of an old tire.

I just carry everything - tube, tubeless repair kit, boot, patch kit, mini tool, tire levers, etc.

I think in the end it depends on what your bail out plan is. If someone is always at home that you could call then you could live more dangerously and not worry about that once in 20 years problem. Or, maybe you try to rely on an Uber XL.

BTW, I just have my first unsealable flat on my gravel bike. There was a giant mesquite thorn in the tire (holding air). I figured I'd pull it out and it would seal since it was just a thorn. It didn't seal. I used a plug for the first time. A couple of lessons learned. Don't let all the sealant leak out. Don't pull a thorn out if you aren't ready to plug on the spot. Also, need to get the skinniest plugs.

[FactoryMatt]

Two tubes. Pump. Jumbo co2. Tire boots. Full nine yards.

[PoorInRichfield]

Kind of interesting in that this is the "Weight Weenies Forum", yet it sounds like most of us carry 800 pounds of tire repair gear which totally eclipses all the money we spend on low-weight bike parts.

Calling Uber is an interesting emergency plan!

[FactoryMatt]

Sad but true. My saddle bag weighs like 900 grams. I carry the same loadout on my road bike that i do for downieville mtb lol.

[kode54]

No tubes for me. Although I carry one on century rides...or anything over 80 miles just in case.

I carry a boot in my wallet case...but I've only used it with other riders that get a blow out so far. I'm the only one that usually carries one. I do carry a small tube of Orange Seal in case I get a puncture and lose too much sealant trying to plug it. DynaPlugs are part of my arsenal which I have used. Pocket pump comes in handy since I only carry one CO2 cartridge.

[StevenH72]

I carry a single spare tube. I've never needed one in ~6000km of tubeless riding, but I don't consider it an inconvenience and wouldn't want to be stranded, however remote the possibility.